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Brora Harbour
Serving The Community for 200 Years
Serving The Community for 200 Years
Sorry Brora Harbour day has been cancelled for good.
Due to RED TAPE
Due to RED TAPE
The ice house shown below, recently cleaned up as part of a Brora Youth Access project, is of both historic and architectural interest. It is hard to imagine now there were salt pans near the river mouth and a tall wooden tower on the west shore used for spotting approaching salmon.
Unlike Helmsdale, Brora was never a major fishing port, accommodating only a few boats at the height of the herring fishery in the early nineteenth century. The physical limitations of the river mouth, with an outer bar constantly built up by the coastal drift of eroded material, have always denied safe, round-the-clock access to the harbour basin. Nevertheless, there are still a few working boats, mainly fishing for crab and lobster, and some leisure craft. Improved access should increase the number of visiting boats, which are at present discouraged from negotiating the river mouth by limited water and inadequate navigational aids.
The gradual decline, of the Brora harbour as a commercial base during the last century was reflected in its appearance. Expenditure on maintenance was minimal and rubbish from abandoned and decaying equipment built up. Far from being the attractive centrepiece of the village any harbour should be, it was in danger of becoming an eyesore.
The gradual decline, of the Brora harbour as a commercial base during the last century was reflected in its appearance. Expenditure on maintenance was minimal and rubbish from abandoned and decaying equipment built up. Far from being the attractive centrepiece of the village any harbour should be, it was in danger of becoming an eyesore.
In 1996, the Brora Harbour Users Association,was formed with a broad-based membership of fishing, boating, residential and community interests to try to arrest this decline. The Association acts both as a pressure group, lobbying the Highland Council and other Agencies for greater investment in the harbour, and as a fund-raiser (partly through its highly popular Harbour Fun Day).
So what's been achieved,since the Harbour Association was formed? The appearance of the area has been greatly improved by the removal of rubbish, more regular cutting of the grassy surrounds and daffodil planting. Lifebelts and mooring rings have been installed and safety ladders have been recessed into the pier. Redun-dant fuel tanks have been removed.
So what's been achieved,since the Harbour Association was formed? The appearance of the area has been greatly improved by the removal of rubbish, more regular cutting of the grassy surrounds and daffodil planting. Lifebelts and mooring rings have been installed and safety ladders have been recessed into the pier. Redun-dant fuel tanks have been removed.
Part of the river mouth was dredged,in 1997 and a groyne enlarged to prevent spoil drifting back into the harbour entrance. Other work in hand includes re-surfacing of the slipway, the installation of a channel marker and lights to aid safer access, and the siting of three new seats. Further dredging will be carried out as funds permit, with priority now being given to the heavily silted harbour basin.
A list of priorities,was drawn up in early 1999 for implementation over the next five years. In summary, these are:
1) Installation of new navigational aids.
2) Dredging from harbour basin to outer channel.
3) Enlargement of groyne on west bank.
4) Deepening channel through outer bar.
5) Sluice in harbour wall to allow 'natural' cleansing.
6) Slipway extension.
A brief history of Brora harbour.
"There is a tolerable harbour for boats and small ships at the mouth of the River Brora."
So reads the Statistical Account,for the Parish of Clyne circa 1793 .In fact boats were often beached at the so-called 'winter port' to the west of the river mouth. In the eighteenth century the salt pans in this area were connected to the river mouth by a railway (probably wooden), more or less along the line of what is still called Salt Street.An iron railway linking the Inverbrora mineshaft with the harbour was constructed in about 1790, followed by a another track from the replacement shaft at Fascally in 1810.
A list of priorities,was drawn up in early 1999 for implementation over the next five years. In summary, these are:
1) Installation of new navigational aids.
2) Dredging from harbour basin to outer channel.
3) Enlargement of groyne on west bank.
4) Deepening channel through outer bar.
5) Sluice in harbour wall to allow 'natural' cleansing.
6) Slipway extension.
A brief history of Brora harbour.
"There is a tolerable harbour for boats and small ships at the mouth of the River Brora."
So reads the Statistical Account,for the Parish of Clyne circa 1793 .In fact boats were often beached at the so-called 'winter port' to the west of the river mouth. In the eighteenth century the salt pans in this area were connected to the river mouth by a railway (probably wooden), more or less along the line of what is still called Salt Street.An iron railway linking the Inverbrora mineshaft with the harbour was constructed in about 1790, followed by a another track from the replacement shaft at Fascally in 1810.
Modernisation of the harbour,began in the early nineteenth century, with the construction of piers, warehouses, curing yards and an ice house. It was only now,around 1815, that the village of Brora as we know it began to grow. The fishing settlement of Lower Brora was gradually absorbed as development expanded from the new main road. 'Ardassie', which still overlooks the harbour, was an inn, mainly used by business people associated with the expanding commercial life of the area. A brewery, the Stafford Arms, was built nearby in 1817. (It was hoped the local labour force could be weaned off whisky, but the miners got a taste for beer and alcoholism increased!).
The harbour now provided an outlet,for the expanding range of local goods, which included bricks, quarry stone and whisky from the newly opened Clynelish Distillery, and was even the embarkation point for some local emigrants to the colonies during the infamous Clearances.
The salt extraction industry,peaked at the height of the herring fishery. In 1818, no less than 11,580 bushels (around 400 tons) of salt were shipped from Brora, satisfying most of the fish -curing requirements of the larger Moray Firth ports.
Tragedy struck in January 1821,when seven Brora fishermen were lost in a storm, leaving 23 dependants. Three more boats foundered on 23 November 1886,28 December 1896 and 3 March 1899 resulting in the loss often more lives. The second of these incidents occurred in mysterious circumstances. Ten boats set out for the Golspie fishing grounds on a calm, frosty morning. What appears to have been a tidal wave capsized the two leading boats. Seven men were pulled from the icy water but three others, William MacRae, Donald MacDonald and Duncan Sutherland, drowned or were overcome by the cold.
Exports declined,in the face of competition from the south in the mid-nineteenth century, when the min and the brickworks were closed. Even when these were re-opened by the Duke of Sutherland in 1872, the newly opened railway provided an easier and more economic outlet.
Sailing ships,of up to about 100 tons,including the 'Sutherland Lass', continued to berth at Brora until around 1930, bringing timber and 'good' coal from Fife and north-east England and returning with local produce, including barley and potatoes.
The most interesting development,of the twentieth century was the opening of a radio station at Brora Point in 1939, which was later taken over by the Ministry of Defence as a Cold War listening post'. The buildings are now used as a furniture depository.
Raising the profile.
Without the support of the local community,the prospect of Brora harbour attracting sufficient funding for improvements from official Agencies at this time of increasing financial constraint would be very poor. Yet in its harbour Brora boasts a unique heritage as well as a potentially attractive focal point for residents and visitors alike.
To emphasise the harbour's value,as a community and tourist asset, the Brora Harbour Users Association organised a Fun Day in early August 1997, with stalls, raft race, greasy pole ,competitions, boat rides and other events.
It was acclaimed a great success,being the largest event in the village since the days of the Herring Queen.Not only did it bring hundreds of residents and visitors to the harbour,but it raised funds for the Association to plough back into further improvements.
The event was repeated in 2002,and will now be an annual feature of the village calendar.
Brora harbour's other users.
Whilst boats are the main attraction,for most visitors to harbours, the keen-eyed can see some interesting 'fishermen' in and around the harbour. Grey Seals regularly come into the river mouth, sometimes patrolling as far as the road bridge. Though harder to see. Otters are also regular visitors. Each summer a female teaches her cubs to catch eels and butterfish. In winter one bold individual even takes scraps from a harbour-side garden!
Brora harbour's other users.
Whilst boats are the main attraction,for most visitors to harbours, the keen-eyed can see some interesting 'fishermen' in and around the harbour. Grey Seals regularly come into the river mouth, sometimes patrolling as far as the road bridge. Though harder to see. Otters are also regular visitors. Each summer a female teaches her cubs to catch eels and butterfish. In winter one bold individual even takes scraps from a harbour-side garden!
Feathered fishers in the river,include Cormorant, Grey Heron, Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser - a slim duck with a 'toothed' bill, the better to grip its slippery prey. The rivermouth itself is a feeding,and resting area for many other birds,including Curlew,Oystercatcher,Redshank and several species of gull. Large numbers of Kittiwakes bathe in the river mouth in late summer.
The River Brora is famous for its salmon,but they (and their human predators) are more visible higher upstream. Harbour Porpoises, Bottle-nosed Dolphins and, in autumn, Minke Whales occur offshore.
Did you know.
Brora has the only dry stone harbour in the north of Scotland? the original settlement at Lower Brora pre-dates Brora village by more than three hundred years and was granted a Royal Charterby King James VI in 1601.
Salt pans by the Brora river mouth, first established in the sixteenth century, supplied most of the requirements of the Moray Firth ports at the height of the herring fishing industry,
Sailing ships of around 100 tons continued to berth at Brora until about 1930?
Four Brora-based fishing boats were lost during the nineteenth century, resulting in seventeen deaths.
The furniture depository at Brora Point, originally a radio station, was used as a Cold War listening post until 1986.
Grey Seals and Otters regularly hunt for fish and eels in the river mouth.
The Brora Harbour Users Association was established in 1996 to promote the use, maintenance and enjoyment of the harbour as a working and leisure facility for the benefit of the whole community?
The River Brora is famous for its salmon,but they (and their human predators) are more visible higher upstream. Harbour Porpoises, Bottle-nosed Dolphins and, in autumn, Minke Whales occur offshore.
Did you know.
Brora has the only dry stone harbour in the north of Scotland? the original settlement at Lower Brora pre-dates Brora village by more than three hundred years and was granted a Royal Charterby King James VI in 1601.
Salt pans by the Brora river mouth, first established in the sixteenth century, supplied most of the requirements of the Moray Firth ports at the height of the herring fishing industry,
Sailing ships of around 100 tons continued to berth at Brora until about 1930?
Four Brora-based fishing boats were lost during the nineteenth century, resulting in seventeen deaths.
The furniture depository at Brora Point, originally a radio station, was used as a Cold War listening post until 1986.
Grey Seals and Otters regularly hunt for fish and eels in the river mouth.
The Brora Harbour Users Association was established in 1996 to promote the use, maintenance and enjoyment of the harbour as a working and leisure facility for the benefit of the whole community?