Cullen |
Cullen |
Topographical Appearances - The topographical appearance of this parish presents the richest and most varied landscape of hill and dale, wood, water, and highly cultivated fields, which is to be seen in the district. Along its shores, the rocks rise in precipitous grandeur, or are thrown up in rugged deformity, to a very considerable height above the level of the sea. In some place, they are perpendicular, or nearly so; in others, they are disrupted and jut out into the water in fragments. Thence, the land rises by a gentle acclivity, on which the ancient barony of Ogilvie is situated, and which the Noble proprietors have been pleased to distinguish, by adopting its more modern name of Seafield, as their most honoured title. Advancing to the south, the land rises more abruptly, then gradually descends to the extreme boundary of Cullen proper. To the northwest, are seen the most prominent buildings of the new town of Cullen, pleasantly situated on the western acclivity of the hill adjacent to the sea, the sandy bay of Cullen, and the bold and precipitous headland of Scarnose, forming the western extremity of the bay, and the most northern point of land on this side of the Moray Frith.
Agriculture - The whole extent of the parish, (exclusive of the ground occupied by the sites of the New town and Sea town, amounting in all to 34 acres), is about 650 imperial acres, of which 115 are waste pasturage and moor. Of the remaining 535 acres, 110 form part of the extensive park of Cullen House, 200 arable are let to the inhabitants of Cullen, and 225, also arable, are rented by the occupiers of the farms of Seafield, Tochieneal and Shirrals, which extend into the adjoining parishes of Fordyce and Rathven....
The arable lands let to the inhabitants of Cullen are laid off in small lots. Few persons are in possession of more than what is requisite for the keep of a cow...
No leases are given on the lands occupied by the town's people. The farms are let for a period of 19 years, being the ordinary duration of leases on the Seafield estate. The only farm buildings situated within the parish are those at Seafield. They are of a commodious and substantial description, and comprehend a thrashing-mill of five-horse power, wrought by steam, - the only thrashing mill of the kind in the county....
Fisheries - All the different kinds of white and shell fish, common to Scotland, are to be found in abundance on the coast, and fishing, on an extensive scale, has long been prosecuted by the inhabitants. About one-third of the whole population are directly dependent on the produce of the sea, for their subsistence. There are seven first class boats employed in the deep sea fishery, each having an equipment of from eight to nine able-bodied men....
Herring-Fishery - From the introduction of the herring-fishery into the Moray Frith in 1816, to 1837, the business was vigourously and successfully prosecuted at Cullen, by the native fishermen.... The average number of boats belonging to Cullen is thirty, each having a crew of four men, of whom, in general, two are the owners, the other being hired for the season...
Salmon-Fishery - For several years past, a salmon-fishery has been prosecuted in the bay of Cullen, with very considerable success. The parishioners are supplied, on moderate terms, with this delicious article of food; but the bulk of the fish is taken to the London market...
Manufactures - [The writer notes, in even more flowery language than his usual, that the former weaving industry has now ceased.]
Harbour and Navigation - In 1817, a small but substantial harbour was erected by the Earl of Seafield; and in 1834, it was greatly enlarged and improved, by the erection of an additional quay, which rendered it one of the best harbours in the Moray Frith.... There are 4 vessels belonging to the port, of from 40 to 100 tons burthen each - amounting in all to 270 tons.... The principal imports are coals, salt, staves, and barley (for distillation). The chief exports are, herrings, dried fish, timber, oats, and potatoes."
Boat-Building &c - Boat-building is carried on to a significant extent in the parish, the abundance of timber grown in the immediate vicinity, affording ample opportunities for this branch of industry. The average number of boats built in the course of the year, may be computed at 44, viz. boats of the first class, intended for the deep sea and herring-fishery, 36; skiffs or yawls, 8. There are three master builders, and the business affords employment to 22 individuals. Ship-building, to a small extent, is occasionally carried on. In the course of the last three years, five vessels, of from 40 to 110 tons each, and of superior construction, have been built and equipped at the harbour of Cullen.
Town and Village - The town of Cullen consists of two parts, whic are completey separated, viz. the New Town, and the Sea Town or Fish Town; the latter being situated on the shore, and inhabited chiefly by fishermen. The predecessor of the former, which was called the Old Town, was meanly built, and, about twenty years ago, was utterly demolished, in order to make way for the improvements of Cullen House. The New Town, by which it was replaced, stands nearer to the sea than the old one did, being close to the eastern extremity of the Sea Town, above which it is considerably elevated. It is a very neat little town. The houses are good, and the streets are laid out on a tasteful and regular plan, according to which but a moiety is as yet erected.
The above represent no more than brief extracts from the extensive article contributed to:
The New Statistical Account of Scotland in 1842
by the Rev. Mr. George Henderson, Minister of CullenFurther extracts are included elsewhere on the GENUKI Cullen pages. You can view the complete text of both the Old and New Statistical Accounts for Cullen and all other parishes on the Edinburgh University website.