Well, we're storm bound (again) in Peterhead, but as ever all these new places have something about them to make you think, smile or generally to find stimulating. The port here used to have 400 fishing boats hauling in white fish of various sorts and of course 'the Herring'. Today they have about 70, the fleet reduced by a combination of EU regulation and the disappearance of the fish for whatever reason. The North Sea Oil supply opportunity has filled part of the gap and ships and shore based facilities geared towards that service are very in evidence. But you can't avoid the feeling here and a number of other places we've been that these once proud and prosperous towns are struggling.
That's not to say that the irrepressible human spirit isn't also in evidence. We called in today to the Peterhead Project office to ask about things to do in the area and spent the next 30 minutes being told all about their work as a social enterprise (seriously impressive) as well as all the local attractions. The idea we particularly liked was a bus to Slains Castle near Cruden Bay followed by a walk to the Kilmarnock Arms. The castle is reputed to have inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula and the pub is where he stayed when he wrote it. They glossed over the claims of half a dozen other places here and in Transylvania where Bram Stoker went on his writing holidays! If we go we'll no doubt tell you about it here.
Peterhead is quirky and different in a number of other ways, here are a couple of photos to illustrate what I mean.
Ever seen a shop that is part fishing tackle and part knitting supplies? Could this be the next retail concept?
And next door, the evidence that even the fishing business needs to look to eastern Europe to recruit.
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