The most
noticeable objects from the (Muchalls) hotel are the Villa of Rockville,
belonging to John Williamson, Esq., situated in tastefully laid out and
well kept grounds, and, at a higher elevation, Stranathro Cottage, a
pleasant residence, from the terrace in front of which a magnificent sea
view is obtained. Other cottages are scattered about, and the Government
buildings, used as a station for the Coast Guard, are a prominent feature
of the group. Kept in a perfect state of order and cleanliness, and
occupied by picked men, all of whom have seen service afloat, they convey
a sense of security to the neighbourhood. About half-a-mile to the
westward are seen the Episcopal Church of St Ternan, of which the Very
Rev. Wm. Hatt, Dean of the Diocese, is Incumbent, the Parsonage, the Post
Office, Merchant's Shop, &c., and further still, the handsome Parish
Church of Cookney, erected some years ago through the exertions of the
Rev. James Taylor, the learned and respected Clergyman, and others deeply
interested in the district.
The village of Stranathro, hid by the Coast Guard
buildings, was until lately occupied almost entirely by fisherman, and
sent five boats to sea - the crews numbering in aggregate about thirty
men. It is an object of interest, being the first of a series of
villages, with which the coast is studded, to be raised from a condition
quite unfit for human habitation to a state of comfort and sanitary
excellence. The position of this village, past and present, was fully
described in a paper "on the sanitary condition of the population
engaged in the fisheries on the North-east Coast of Scotland," prepared
by request and read before the Health Department of the National
Association for the Promotion of Social Science, held at Aberdeen in
1877, by the writer of this article, under whose direction and
supervision the works had been carried out. These were undertaken by the
Land Committee of Dr Milne's Trustees, then Proprietors, and were of a
radical nature, including the rebuilding of almost the whole village,
the remaking of roads, introduction of water, and a thorough system of
drainage.
A complete change in the conditions regulating the
great Fishing Industry, which has of late years taken place, was then
manifesting itself, and the old practice of curing haddocks on spits in
the corner of the living room was giving way to the modern system of
wholesale manufacture at the large ports. The introduction of Steam
Trawlers and Liners, bringing large supplies of deep sea fish,
concentrated the trade in these ports. Fish came to be sold by auction
and consigned by the purchasers, in a fresh state, to the southern
markets, or by curers as "Findon Haddocks." Thus the migration of
fishermen from the villages to Aberdeen or Stonehaven became a matter
almost of necessity, and was hastened by the dislocation of crews
consequent on the secession of individual members. It therefore happened
that, after everything possible had been done for the comfort of the
Stranathro fishermen, they found themselves obliged, by force of
circumstances, to leave their model village and take up their abode in
less commodious but, for business purposes, more convenient quarters.
Their houses, left empty, were soon filled by landward tenants, and in
one or two instances, by Aberdeen merchants, who anxious to breath fresh
air and look out on the ever-changing sea, fitted them up in a suitable
manner. For a few months in summer all available accommodation is
quickly secured, both in the village and elsewhere, every apartment in
the Hotel is engaged, and it only remains to provide additional
house-room to have it immediately occupied.
Before leaving the interesting subject of the
fishing population, and as Muchalls is being noticed in its relation to
health, it may not be out of place to quote the concluding paragraph of
the paper mentioned previously as having been read before the Social
Science Congress.
"A better class of houses and proper sanitation
arrangements have had a marked effect on the character, energies, and
social relations of the fishermen on the East Coast. It is interesting
to observe the anxiety often expressed that, as each succeeding home is
erected, it should in some detail, excel that which preceded it. A taste
of home comfort is, with every man, a powerful rival to the public
house, and a strong incentive to industry and frugality. I am satisfied
that, as their material prosperity has increased, intemperance has
sensibly decreased among our fishing population."
Muchalls on the Kincardineshire Coast - A Health
Resort
By William Paul
1896
