Appeal launched to save homes of the early Caithness herring fisherman

16th July 2009

The Landmark Trust, a building preservation charity, is appealing for funds to restore The Shore Cottages http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/future_landmarks/ShoreCottages.htm at Berriedale. Without intervention soon these reminders of a past way of Caithness life will be lost forever.

The cottages were built around 1800 by Sir John Sinclair to house crofters moved from the Highlands during the clearances. Like the characters in Neil Gunn's The Silver Darlings, fishing provided an alternative livelihood and along the coast men set sail in boats known as 'fifies', while the women gutted fish at troughs on the shore. These fisher families' homes now stand derelict with water pouring through their roofs and the weather driving in through the glassless windows.

The Landmark Trust have been rescuing humble buildings such as these since its formation in 1965 believing that they give an important glimpse into the past lives of ordinary people. If the £600,000 can be raised to fund the restoration, the buildings will be repaired using traditional skills and materials. Services such as water and electricity will also be brought in and the footbridge, which offers the only access to the cottages, will be replaced.

Once restored the cottages will be let for self catering holidays, one cottage sleeping two and another sleeping six. The rental income generated will fund the buildings' ongoing maintenance so that they never again fall into disrepair.

Peter Pearce, Director of the Landmark Trust said on launching the appeal, "The cottages embody a defining moment in Scottish history. The herring industry dominated this area throughout the Napoleonic Wars. The story is fascinating and courageous and we want to preserve these cottages as a reminder of this.

"The Shore Cottages are in one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of Scotland with unsurpassed views across the beach. This is the first time Landmark has worked in the north east of Scotland and in rescuing these buildings, we hope to introduce many people to this area and its history."

The Landmark Trust cares for 18 buildings in Scotland including The Pineapple near Stirling, an extraordinary pineapple shaped folly.

To make a donation to the Shore Cottage appeal please visit www.landmarktrust.org.uk or telephone 01628 825920

For further information please contact Katherine Oakes or Catherine Wood at the Landmark Trust

For further details about the cottages and the appeal to save them visit: http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/future_landmarks/ShoreCottages.htm

The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity that rescues and restores historic buildings and lets them for holidays. There are 190 Landmarks ranging to castles to gamekeeper's cottages, towers to a pigsty.

Funds to restore buildings have to be found from voluntary sources but once the building is restored its holiday income pays for its ongoing maintenance.

Neil Gunn's epic adventure The Silver Darlings is one of the best-loved Scottish novels of the 20th Century. It is an evocative story about families like those who lived at The Shore Cottages at Berriedale. The Silver Darlings is being staged at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen for 10-days from Friday, August 28, before going on tour to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Dundee, Perth and Wick.

For more photos of Berriedale go to www.caithness.org/atoz/berriedale/index.htm