Location
On the east wall of 'The Salmon House' in Portsoy
Portsoy, Banffshire
OS Map Reference
NJ 591 663
Date
1834
Description
A carved painted datestone with a relief carved cock salmon between figures 18 and 34 within plain raised border with angle fluted 'fan' motif. The salmon is somehow more 'cuddly' than most representations of this popular subject
Related Information
Salmon House Dated 1834. Tall 2-storey and dormerless attic, 5-bay rectangular salmon house constructed on sloping site with basement entrance at rear (NE). Modern harl over rubble. Long SW front elevation with doorway reached by forestair at left. 4 regularly spaced widows. 3 chutes (to ante-room and icehouses) at ground floor, each with protective boulder 'cheeks' flanking openings: each opening fitted with iron hinges for former shutters. Regular 5-bay fenestration in 1st floor of NE rear elevation. Rear doorway under pointed-headed light flanked by similarly shaped window, both serving ante-room (dead-room) and 2 adjoining icehouses. Multi-pane glazing to fanlight and window.
Former boiler house with single pitch roof projects from rear. Centre small attic light in each gable; masonry end chimney stacks; slate roof; sandstone ridge.
INTERIOR: upper room reached by outer forestair; hearth at each end; wooden internal stair to attic. Rear entrance leads to stone flagged ante-room; from there into 2 inter-communicating high brick lined vaulted icehouses, each with cobbled floor and each approximately 6m x 5m. Each icehouse served by single mural chute; similar chute to ante-chamber.
RAMP: raised and turfed ramp with drystone rubble retaining wall fronts main SW long elevation.
Like many North East coastal communities commercial salmon netting and curing was once an important industry here, it is no longer a legal pursuit as it is deemed that it makes more economic sense to preserve the fish for sport fishing. The organisers of the Portsoy Traditional Boat Festival have now become owners of this building and they intend converting it into a small museum.
The Salmon House ("Salmon Bothy") has been extensively restored 2008.
Era
1800s
Information Source
Listed Building Report
Categories
Iconography
- fish
External Links
Photographer
- Andrew Bruce
Unavailable Data
- Related Artefacts
- Creator
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