The Water of Eden' : an analysis of the ports and mussel industry of the Eden Estuary

Abstract

This thesis is a historical survey and analysis of the ports and St Andrews mussel industry on the Eden Estuary.

Down through the ages the Eden Estuary has been exploited for both sea trade and harvesting of naturally occurring mussel, Mytilus sp. These are an important part of the local history and economy yet have been only superficially discussed in perspective.

During the Middle Ages the estuary served as the port of the burghs of St Andrews and Cupar. In the 19th century, several individuals used the estuary as their private port or harbour. An attempt is made to reconstruct the history of trade on the Eden through the identification of landing sites, their proprietors, navigational aids, and those ports with which trade was conducted.

During the 19th and first part of the 20th century, natural mussel beds were exploited for line fishing bait. These beds supplied the bait needs of fishermen in St Andrews and, to a lesser extent, the East Coast of Scotland. An attempt is made to reconstruct the history of the St Andrews mussel industry and to explore the effect it had on the burgh of St Andrews.

Data has been gathered through a review of manuscripts for the burghs of Cupar and St Andrews, to include maps, plans, and aerial photographs. Parliamentary papers were consulted relating to piers, harbours, and mussel beds. Data relating to trade is a mix of primary and secondary sources while the St Andrews mussel industry is derived almost wholly from primary sources. The following archives were consulted: the Bank of Scotland Archive; Dundee City Central Archive; Curtis Fine Paper Company, Guardbridge; National Archives of Scotland; University of Dundee; University of Edinburgh; University of Glasgow Business Records Archive; University of St Andrews Special Collections and various public libraries.