Eyemouth fishermen's superstitions; taboo words; touching co...
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1975.8
Original Tape ID
Summary
Eyemouth fishermen's superstitions; taboo words; touching cold iron.
When a new boat was launched, the minister ('man of the cloth') came down to the pier. Daisy Aitchison's husband would have avoided him, and her son only reluctantly joined him. Superstitions involving unlucky women, pigs ('grumphies'), hares, white cats, apples and first footing are mentioned. It is unlucky to give away salt, but Mr Aitchison was even superstitious about giving the time [break to turn tape] or bread. On one occasion, somebody with a grudge put a trout in a fishing boat.
Mr Aitchison always had to be first over the threshold. Their son is also superstitious and would not give his mother change from his pocket. Fishermen would touch cold iron if somebody said the wrong thing.
Item Subject/Person
Aitchison, Willie
Item Location
County - Berwickshire
Parish - Eyemouth
Village/Place - Eyemouth
Language
English, Scots
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good