This part of the coastline is also a 9.6 km section of the
The John Muir Way between Fisherrow and Cockenzie power
station.
Fisherrow harbour was built in the 18th century close to the
site of an early roman harbour. In the mid-19th century the fishing
fleet followed the herring, as far north as Caithness and as far
south as East Anglia. As the herring numbers declined, the fishing
boats turned to catching white fish, prawns and sprats.
The local fishing community was tight knit. At the end of each
fishing season in September, a ‘Box Walk’ was held in which
fishermen and women marched in procession through the streets,
followed by games and dancing in the grounds of Pinkie House. Funds
were distributed to those families in need. The fisherwives of
Fisherrow were known for their strength and character. Like the
fisherwives of nearby Newhaven, they wore navy serge with
distinctive striped aprons and sold fish on the streets of
Edinburgh. Use this link for
old photographs of Fisherrow fishwives. Their bowls of mussels
were particularly popular.
The fishermen’s houses were demolished in the mid 20th century.
Now the harbour is used solely for pleasure boats
You don't need to remove the container to sign the
logbook.