Portessie School in March 2011



Schoolchildren from Bishopmill Primary, Elgin paid a visit to the Heritage Centre in June - 2008
A short selection of 27 letters;- all addressed to Chairman Hugh Patience.

Thank you for letting us come to the Fishing Heritage Centre. I enjoyed meeting the former fishermen at the centre and seeing the models of the fishing boats. I enjoyed the slideshow. There were boats that were very interesting to learn about , a boat called a Scaffie. I learnt lots of facts about fishing in the past. Signed Ross.

I enjoyed what you told us about the tarred dog float and watching the slide slow. I learned a lot about the centre and I hope to come back to the Centre and see you again. Signed Bailey

I enjoyed looking at all the interesting things on the walls. I was surprised when you told us about the ladies giving the fishermen piggy backs out to their boats. I enjoyed the visit and would like to go back again with my family. Signed Lori

I enjoyed the slides about the boats because you told us about the history of fishing. It was my best school trip so far. My great granda used to be a fisherman in Buckie. I enjoyed my visit very much, thank you. Signed Melanie

I enjoyed seeing the slide show and the stuffed cat. I learned a lot about fishing in the past. I hope you are there when I come again with my family so they can see the slide show too. signed Emma.

I found it interesting that the ladies gave fishermen piggy backs when the fishermen were going off on a fishing trip. They stayed for 3 days or more. I would like to go again with my family. Thank you for the jaffa cakes and juice and for our super visit.  Signed  Taylor.

Visit by Portknockie Primary School - June 2008 A short selection of the 14 letters received.

I learned that the miners went on strike in the early 1920s. I was amazed that buoys were made out of dog skin and tar. I learned that you have to put salt in a pan before cooking vegetables in case insects were in them. Signed Nathan

I learned that dogs and tar were made into buoys. I was surprised when you said that Portknockie School was a Primary and High school and very interested that the school taught navigation and cooking to boys. Once again thank you for giving of your time to talk to us about our local history. I had a brilliant time. Signed Dean

Thank you for a fantastic tour which I really enjoyed. I learned that long ago buoys were made from dog skin covered in tar and that the dogs were specially bred in Cullen. I was amazed that Portknockie was a safer place than Cullen because Cullen Harbour was too rocky. I was astonished that girls long ago had to gut the fish. Signed Zahra

Thank you for a really fun afternoon at your centre. I learned that you had to be 14 or up to start fishing. I was astonished to know that dog skins and tar were made into buoys. A fantastic time looking round the centre and speaking to the people who work there. Signed Jamie.

It was a great privilege to meet such well behaved children who obviously enjoyed their day out at the Heritage Centre. Some of the presentation obviously impressed them - it seems the dog buoy was universally remembered. We had a great day entertaining the children and look forward to more visits from the schools of the area.

Visit by Project group from Buckie High School - September 2008

The heritage welcomed a group of seven pupils from B.C.H.S who are working on a history project at school. They enjoyed their morning visit and once again perfectly behaved. A real privilege for us to have them at the Heritage and I would encourage all schools in the area to plan for a visit to the Heritage beginning next spring - we are closing for the season at the end of September.