Geograph - photograph every grid square

NT0380 : Oyster Shells NT0380 : The Fishery
If you put both of these submissions together, you get the answer to Anne's question as to the origin of the Fishery or as it is known locally, "The Fisheries". Since the 13th century there were records of an oyster fishery on the Forth. Oyster consumption had been going on much before this time however as there is evidence of a prehistoric oyster shell midden well to the west of Bo'ness above Kinneil Kerse on what would have been at the time coastal slopes although it is now a considerable distance from the water's edge. At its height, the oyster fishery was producing 30 million oysters annually for markets in Scotland, London and the continent. This level of harvesting was clearly unsustainable and the venture finally ceased in 1920, having been in decline from the mid 19th century. Having lived in Stacks Cottage, less than 50 yards to the south of the Fisheries, I had many opportunities to explore the ruin and the foreshore and can concur with Anne on both her points!!