Preparations Progressing for Fishing Heritage Celebration

With a few days to go final preparations are being made for a series of events and exhibits which celebrate the rich fishing cultural heritage of Orkney and in particular Stromness. At the heart of these activities will be a display of information at the Stromness Navigation School covering: fishing in Viking times, whaling, herring fishing, seafaring legends and folklore, fishing boats, fishing techniques, modern fishing practices and fish processing & products.

Under the EU fishernet project banner this display will also be supported by a new leaflet guide, which takes people through Stromness, highlighting key aspects of fishing heritage between Ness Point and the Pier Head.  There is also a new quick reference guide to cooking with fish which will be available from this weekend.

Alongside these materials are events such as guided tours through the town, story-telling and other events being put on for the Tall Ships and by Stromness Shopping Week.  The added interest in maritime matters arising from the Tall Ships and the crowds that regularly flock to Stromness Shopping Week were key advantages of running these activities over the next few weeks.

Gareth Davies of organisers Aquatera said “with perhaps thousands of folk descending upon Stromness over the next 2 weeks there was an ideal opportunity to arrange this celebration of fishing cultural heritage.  It was even more fitting that it involved the Tall Ships, some of which are indeed old fishing boats”

The exhibition will be open between the 16th and 23rd of July, from 12:00 till 17:00 every day with extended opening times at the weekends.

More information can be found by clicking on the online Invitation and Programme, by picking up a leaflet locally or by calling Aquatera on +44 (0)1856 850088.