Eyemouth

Scotland > South of Scotland > Berwickshire > Eyemouth

At the mouth of the river Eye and 8 miles north of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Eyemouth is located in the Scottish Borders.
Eyemouth became a free burgh of Barony and a freeport in 1597 and today is a large holiday resort and fishing town.
The towns narrow and maze like alleys were said to be of great use to smugglers in the 18th and 19thc who were avoiding customs officers.
The harbour was extended late 19th century, and provided a good shelter for one of scotland's mid-sized fleets. In 1881 a disasterous gale struck Eyemouth and half the fishing fleet was sunk and 129 men drowned. The loss of so many men is still felt and remembered to this day by the town.
Eyemouth's harbour was deepened in 1964. In 1997, 126 vessels were docked at Eyemouth.