Scotland > 1868, 1878 - Slater's (late Pigot & Co.'s) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland > 1878 > Part 1

BERWICKSHIRE.
SLATER'S
E.
EYEMOUTH,
AYTON, BURNMOUTH AND NEIGHBOURHOODS.
—JYEMOUTH is an ancient little seaport and burgh of barony
in the parish of its name, 50 miles e. from Edinburgh, 21 n.e. from
Greenlaw, the like distance s.e. from Dunbar, 20 n. from Cold-
stream, 13V. N.E. from Dunse. 8 n. from Berwick, and three from
Ayton station on the North British railway. It lies at the mouth
of the Eye, where that river discharges its waters into the North
Sea, from which circumstance the town and parish takes its name.
The port is a very ancient one, being known as such as early as the
reign of Alexander II., when it was resorted to by the monks of
that age as a commodious harbour for impoi-ting supplies for their
estabhshment, and for shipping wool, hides, &c., in which they
trafficked. Shipping can work into and out of the bay at all tmies
of the tide, or lie at anchor in the haven secure from all wmds,
except the north and north-east, or when the passage cannot be
effected up the Frith of Forth ; and the port is occasionally fre-
quented by wind-bound vessels. The heiTing fishery is a source of
profitable employment to the greater part of the inhabitants, there
being regularly employed 94 fishing boats for herrmg fishery, and
83 large decked boats for white fishing in winter, the produce from
which has now reached the sum of about £35,000 per annum.
Eyemouth was a gi-eat depot for smugglers; it is affirmed that at
one time almost every house had secret cellars connected witli it,
wherein those engaged in the illicit trade concealed the goods and
liquors landed here from the luggers which frequented the harbour
and neighbouring shores. The vigilance and energy of the preven-
tive service, togetlicr with a judicious alteration of the duties,
have, however, "long since destroyed this illegitimate mode of
acqtriring wealth, and turned the trade of the town into more
honourable and less hazardous channels. On a sma.l promontory,
which stretches out into the sea, there are the remains of a regular
fortification, supposed to have been constructed by a French officer
entrusted with the command of the Queen Regent's troops. A
chm-ch of the Establishment, a Free church, an Evangelical church
and chapels for Primitive Methodists, United Presbyterians, and a
Baptist meeting house are the places of worship. A handsome
Bchool was erected in 1876. The St. Abb's Lodge of Master Masons
and the Land of Cakes Royal Arch Chapter hold theirmeetings here,
in a neat lodge-room, formed in 1757; it was in this room that
Burns, the poet, was made a Royal Arch Mason. Fairs are held on
the first Thursdays of June and October. The parish of Eyemouth,
which embraces an area of 1,004 statute acres, contained in 1871 a
population of 2,772, of this number the town had 2,324.
Ayton is a parish and village, the latter 2L2i3iiles from Eyemouth,
and 8 x.w. from Berwick, occupying a dehghtful situation on the
left bank of the Eye, on the main line of railway between Edinburgh
and the South. The parish contains about 6,699 acres, and describes
an area of about four miles each way, including about two miles of
sea coast, which is here bold and rocky; more inland the soil is
rich, producing all kinds of grain. Several vestiges of encamp-
ments are discernible through the parish, and urns, with pieces of
broken armour, have been occasionally brought to the surface by
the plough. A new church, the foundation stone of which was laid
September 8th, 1864, has been erected, near to the old one,
which for many years past has been falling into decay. It is in
the English Gothic style of the 14th century, with a lofty tower
and spire, and contains sittings for nearly 800 persons. The cost
was about £7,000, to which sum Mr. Innes was a liberal contributor.
A handsome chapel has also been erected, in lieu of one of the
two Presbyterian places of worship. A justice of the peace court
is held here monthly, and a sheriff's court for the recovery of
small debts is held four times a year. Population of the parish
in 1871, 1,983; of the village, 745.
Bdrnmouth is a small fishing village, having a harbour situated
at the foot of an almost perpendicular ledge of rock; the cottages
standing near to high water mark give it a very romantic appear-
ance. The heights in the vicinity afford very beautiful and varied
scenery, extending to the Eildons on the south, Lammermoor on
the west, and Bamborough on the east— the north being the ocean.
It is about 2>3 miles from Ayton, and 6 from Berwick. It is a
coast-guard station, and there is a railway station close to the
entrance to the village, on the North British line. The public
school in connection with Ayton is close to the village, but there is
no place of worship. Thirty-four boats are regularly employed and
stationed here for herring fishing, and eight of a larger class for
white fishing in the winter season.
POST OFFICE, Eyemouth, Thomas Henry M'Vicar, Post Master. — Letters arrive from all parts (from Ayton by messenger)
at ten morning and nine evening, and are despatched thereto at fifteen minutes past five morning and twenty minutes to seven
evening.
Money Order arid Telegraph Office and Savings Bank.
Post Office, Ayton, George Wood, Post il/as(er.— Letters from London and the South arrive at a quarter to nino morning and
six evening, and are despatched thereto at twenty-five minutes past three afternoon.
Letters from Edinburgh and the North arrive at thirty-eight minutes past nine morning and at four afternoon, and are despatched
thereto at eight minutes past five morning and twenty minutes to eight evening.
Money Order and Telegraph Office and Savings Bank.
Royal Bank of Scotland (Branch), Ayton—
draws on the Bank of England and Coutts
and Co. London— Walter Carter, agent ;
Sub-branch at Eyemouth— 5ee advt
GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Allan John, Esq. Peelwalla
Bell Rev. Stephen, Eyemouth
Bowhill James, Esq. Ayton
Cameron Rev. Daniel, Ayton
Carter Walter, Esq. Ayton
Chartres Miss — , Ayton BLACKSMITHS.
Doughty JamesThomasSimpson.Esq. Ayton Edgar John, Avton
narrower Rev. James, Eyemouth Ewart James, Eyemouth
Hastie John Logan. Esq. Aj^ton [Castle pogter Robert, Prenderguest
Innes Alexander Mitchell, Esq. j.p. Ayton ^uke James, St. EUas place, Eyemouth
Innes Mr. James Henry, Peelwalls Cottage, :\iackay Robert, Ayton
Ayton -,..._,
Johnston John, Esq. Greystoneles
L'Amy Major John Ramsay, j.p. Netherbyi'es
Leitch Mr. Alexander, Fairneyside
Mein Mr. James, Lamerton [Ayton
Montgomery Rev. Thomas, Summerhill,
Mm-ray Mr.Georgc, Eyemouth
Ogilvy Rev. Alexander, Eyemouth i
Pearson Mrs. Jane, Eyemouth
Sandison Mrs. Elizabeth, Highlaws
Turnbull Mrs. Mary, Summerhill, Eyemouth
Wilson Rev. WiUiam, Ayton
; Nisbet John, Ayton
ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS.
Board Schools :—
Ayton— William Cook, master; JaneMori-
son, mistress
Burn mouth— William Wardrop, master ;
Ellen Wardrop, mistress
Eyemouth— Alexander Ross, master; Mar-
garet Archibald, mistress
Eyemouth— James Cox, master; Agnes
Cameron, mistress
BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS.
Aitchison John, Ayton
Anderson Alexander, Eyemouth
Best John, High st. Eyemouth
Bruce Brothers, Aytou
Edington Archibald, Ayton
Ford John, High st. Eyemouth
Nisbet George D. Eyemouth Mill
Paterson James, Ayton
Swanston Robert Ayton
BAKERS.
Cairns Alexander, Ayton
Chrystal John, Church st. Eyemouth
BUTCHERS.
Armitage Thomas, High st. Eyemouth
Jcrdan John, Ayton
Jerdan Robert, George st. Eyemouth
Scott David, Ayton
CARPENTERS AND CARTWRIGHTS.
Bickerton Thomas, Ayton
Hay Peter, Eyemouth
Henderson Johu, Ayton
Gibson Alexander, St. Ellas place, Eyemouth Landlcs William, Eyemouth
Gibson James, Eyemouth
Simpson Alexander, Ayton
Smith David {and confectioner]
Evemouth
EVNKS.
CoMMEnciAL Bank of Scotland (Branch),
j^yton— -draws on the London and West-
minster Bank, Loudon— James Bowhill,
agent; Sub-branch atEyemouth— Alex. J.
Dawaou, sub-agent— Sea advertisement
506
Nisbet John, Ayton
I Stott Joseph, Eyemouth
, Chapel st. ; Thompson Thomas, (cabinet maker and
j builder), Ayton
■ ' ■ "■"-» , Watson James, Eyemouth
[Gunsgreen
Weatherhead James (an.l boat builder),
CHINA, GLASS, &c., DEALERS.
Dougal John, High st. Eyemouth
Gray Archibald, Cha5)el st. Eyemouth
1-1
COAL MERCHANTS AND DEALERS.
Alexander Thomas, Eyemouth
Brack Andrew, Eyemouth
Dickson Robert & John, Eyemouth
Edrington Archibald, Ayton
Glen Alexander, Commerce st. Eyemouth
Paterson James, Eyemouth
Wood George, Ayton
FARMERS.
Brodio Thomas, Chester bank
Fulton James, Whitfield
Gibson James, Gunsgi-eenhill
Inglis William, Prenderguest
Johnstone John, LinthiU, Eyemouth
Logan Robert, flemiiiSton
Middletou WiUiam, Cocklaw
Paterson Archibald, Eyemouth mill
Popplewell David, Wliiterigg
Purves Alexander, Little Dean
Tod Peter, Red hall
White E. C. Aytonlaw
Wood Thomas, Eastleridge
FIRE, &c. OFFICE AGENTS.
Insurance Company of Scotland (fire)—
Bowhill & Doughty, Ayton
Life Association of Scotland— Walter
Carter, Ayton
Phcenix (fire) & Pelican (life)— John Jeffrey,
Ayton
Royal— David Sinclair, Ayton; James and
George Forysth, Eyemouth
Scottish Amicable— William G. F. Tod,
Ayton
Scottish Equitable (life)— Bowhill and
Doughty, Ayton — See advertisement
Scottish Union (fire)— Walter Carter, Ayton
— See advertisernent
FISH CURERS.
Aitchison Robert, Burnmouth
Borthwick Johnston, Eyemouth
Cormack John & Sous, Eyemouth
Craig W'illiam, Eyemouth
Crawford James, Eyemouth
Dickson Peter, Eyeiuouth
Dickson Robert & John, Eyemoutk