A fisherman will not keep a pig for feeding (Buckie), and the word pig or swine, as well as rottin (rot), salmon, which is commonly called "the fool (foul) beest," hare, and rabbit, are words of ill-omen. (Buckie.)[1]
It is unlucky to catch a sea-gull ("a goo") when out fishing, and keep it on board. My informant told me that one day he caught a gull, with the intention of bringing it ashore to his boy. One of the old men in the boat, in very strong language, ordered him to set it adrift, which was done at once. (Portessie.)
W. W. of Crovie, had gone to the West Highlands to prosecute the cod and ling fishing. The first time the boat went to the fishing-ground the first fish that came up on the line was a ling. The skipper at once ordered it to be thrown overboard, as being unlucky to have a ling for the first fish caught.
The "scull," which holds the lines, must not be overturned in the boat after they have been shot. It is unlucky to do so. (Crovie.) A poor "shot" (catch) of fish is supposed to follow. (Nairn.) It is accounted unlucky to put the foot by accident into the scull ("the scoo") after the lines have been thrown. (Nairn.)
It is unlucky to have a rat on board a boat unless it is caught, and killed. The drawing of blood counteracts the bad luck. (Buckie.)
During the herring-fishing of 1885 a rat appeared in the boat of a Crovie fisherman fishing in Rosehearty. A hunt for the animal was made, and it was caught. The fisherman mentioned the fact on returning to his house, when one of the women said, "Ye'll be sure o' a boat fu' the first time ye gyang oot." Another said, "That's az gueede's (as good's) three hunner (300) cran."
Two Crovie boats were, one spring not long ago, fishing in S. Uist. In the boat of one was caught a rat. The skipper of the other boat made the remark, "This winna (will not) be a rich year fahtever (whatever), for we hinna gotten a beastie."
The Herring Fishing.
In Portessie and other neighbouring villages white stones are
- ↑ Folk-Lore Journal, vol. iii. p. 182.
