Timespan's archive image of herring gutters at Helmsdale sparks international interest
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An archive photograph posted on social media by Timespan Museum and Arts Centre, Helmsdale, has attracted international interest.
The image shows a group of Helmsdale women fish gutters at work in a curing yard on Shore Street in the village in the 1920s.
It was posted on social media by the museum to mark Women’s History Month in March.
Jacquie Aitken, the museum’s digital heritage and digital curator, said : “The photo has resonated with people and received a lot of attention online, reaching an international audience of over 80,000. To Timespan’s surprise and delight, that number continues to grow.”
“I was amazed to see the number of people sharing the photo and adding their stories and memories of the herring gutters. I hope more photos like this one will come to light so that we can add to our collection.”
She added: “Thousands of Highland women travelled the length of the east coast, from Shetland to Wick and Helmsdale, south to Lowestoft, gutting herring catches in ports throughout the 19th and first half of the 20th century.
“These independent women have been seen as the forgotten workforce, but recent research has shown that they were far from shrinking violets. They led the way for equal pay and better living conditions and helped win the vote for women.
“The work was hard, the women worked long hours, and the temporary accommodation in curing yard lofts and wooden huts was basic, lacking the comforts of home.
“The system of paying a retainer at the start of the season tied the women to the curers with little leverage to release them from overly restrictive contracts.
“It is unsurprising that the lives of this group of women still resonate today when women are still fighting for equal footing in the workplace, at home, and in politics.”
As part of its new RE:COLLECTION project, supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Timespan is exploring the lives of herring gutters to research and reframe its collection around climate justice, the impact of extractivism in the exploitation of land and sea, and gender inequality.
Timespan would love to hear from people whose ancestors worked as herring gutters from Helmsdale and East Sutherland to share stories, memories, songs, gansey knitting patterns, souvenirs, etc.
To find out more about the project contact Timespan at jacquie@timespan.org.uk or call 01431821327.
