British Fisheries Society

Sectors:

  • Agriculture & fishing Fishing & fish farming

Notes:

Established 1786 largely by Highland landowners to build planned villages especially to accommodate workers displaced by the agricultural improvement of their estates and also to promote the Scottish herring industry as a source of employment for these workers. Known officially as the 'British Society for Extending the Fisheries & Improving the Sea Coasts of the Kingdom of Great Britain' and as the British Fisheries Society from 1857, it was a 'quasi government body incorporated as a joint stock company' by act of parliament. Provided housing and associated infrastructure for settlements at Tobermory (Mull), 1786, Lochbay (Skye), 1786, Ullapool, 1788, Pultneytown (Wick), 1803, and at other places in Scotland. On formation, the architect, Robert Mylne, 1733-1813, was consulting architect; he was then working at Inverary for the Duke of Argyll, Chairman of the Society. He was succeeded by Thomas Telford when the chairmanship passed to Sir Hugh Pulteney. Closed end of 19th century [2023]

Groups: