The British Fisheries Society 1786-1893

The society was founded in 1786, with the support of parliament and through the energies of a band of public-spirited leaders, and it is an interesting and early example of the blending of public and private enterprise. It created new communities in remote areas, experimented with farming methods, built roads and organised a series of fishing villages at Ullapool, Tobermory, Lochbay in Skye, and Pulteneytown in Caithness.

Buildings and other traces of the society's activities still remain, and give these settlements a distinctive character even with all the subsequent changes they have seen. Telford, Rennie, Mylne and other well-known planners were involved, and their plans and completed projects are illustrated in the plate section of the book. As much as possible, the story of these communities is told in the words of the men and women who took part in this unusual social experiment - their achievements, their frustrations and disappointments, their day-to-day personal dealings and operations.

The author has amassed hitherto scattered and neglected evidence to build up a full and graphic picture of the founding of these settlements. The methods employed are fully discussed, and there is an assessment of the impact and success of the whole enterprise. This is very readable account of a little known but fascinating episode in the long history of the development of the Highlands.