Description

The monument is a late 19th century fish farm, visible as the earthwork remains of three groups of artificial ponds with feeder and collector lades, set around 220m and 470m apart along the Allt Coire Aghaisgeig, along with the footings of a rectangular building. The monument is located on the hillside on the western side of Strath Brora, between about 30m and 100m above sea level.

The fish farm was built before 1878 and in use between 1878 and 1921. The first group of ponds comprise three straight parallel ponds measuring around three metres in width, 55m in length and about 0.8m in depth. A fourth pond, which is less well defined and at least five metres wide, lies to the northeast. The remains of at least one sluice are visible. The second group of ponds lie around 220m downstream to the northeast and comprise a half hexagon arrangement of narrow ponds, together with a bypass lade. At least three parallel ponds around three metres in width are visible to the south and two ponds about five metres wide lie to the north. Edge set slabs, probably for controlling the flow of water, are visible at the outflow. The third set of ponds lie a further 470m downstream, close to the shore of Loch Brora, and comprise two parallel ponds around 25m long and five metres wide. The footings of a rectangular building lie about 55m west-southwest.

The scheduled area is in four parts, one of which is rectangular in plan and the others irregular, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to contribute to our understanding of the establishment and growth of fish farming in Sutherland and Scotland during the late 19th century and early 20th century. It is a good example of an early fish farm that retains its field characteristics. As a well preserved example it can significantly expand our understanding of fish farming, its operation and development within the economy of Scotland. As many of the techniques of artificial fish propagation were first developed in game hatcheries in Scotland, it can enhance our understanding of the role of game hatcheries in the development of modern aquaculture and the fish farming industry in Scotland and more widely. It is notable for the survival of a range of features, including sluices and lades. The loss or damage of this monument would diminish our ability to understand the development and operation of fish farming in Sutherland and across Scotland during the late 19th century and early 20th century, as well as the place of game hatcheries in the development of modern aquaculture.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The Highland Council HER reference is MHG29870.

Calderwood, W. L. 1921 The Salmon Rivers and Lochs of Scotland. E Arnold: London.

The Fishery Board for Scotland. 1901 Report for 1900, part II. HMSO: Glasgow.

Hodgson, William Earl. 1906 Salmon Fishing: With a Frontispiece By Joseph Farquharson, A Facsimile in colours of a model set of flies for Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales, illustrations of angling scenes characteristic of these parts of the United Kingdom, and pictures of salmon passes. Adam and C Black: London.

HER/SMR Reference

MHG29870

Source: Historic Environment Scotland