Norfish: Scottish Herring Fishery 1466-1790

The Scottish Herring Fishery was based largely in the North Sea along the Scottish coastline but included elements from the Atlantic waters on the west coast of Scotland as well. Some fishing may have occurred in the northern parts of the Irish Sea as well. While the fishery was on a comparatively small scale when compared with the industrial giants of the Flemish and Dutch fisheries, it was nevertheless a large feature of the Scottish fishing effort and accounted for important exports as well as domestic provision of nutrition. Salmon and cod fishing were also important aspects of the overall fishing effort but herring was arguably the most important fish export