After over 18 months of planning and preparation, the Annan Common Good Committee will open its ‘Haaf Net History’ exhibition to the public at Annan Museum on Friday 10 May.
With funding from Marine Scotland and Annandale and the Council’s Annandale and Eskdale Area Committee, the project aimed to preserve and promote the cultural and historical importance of haaf net fishing; which is one of the oldest forms of fishing in Scotland, dating back to at least Viking times and is unique to just the inner Solway.
A partnership between the Annan Common Good Committee, Annan Royal Burgh Fishermen’s Association and the Community Council unearthed almost 500 years of history.
The exhibition will feature a number of information boards which promote the rich heritage of this local tradition and give an insight in to its importance to the town with a look at old minute books from the Parish Council and Provost Committees; whilst also recording more recent ‘fishy tails’ from haaf netters. There will be interactive displays with photographs and videos captured as part of the project and to ensure that the cultural importance is recorded for future generations!
Hecklegirth Primary School have written a story around the life-cycle of ‘Sally the Solway Salmon’ and a card game and school education pack have also been developed as innovative ways to get younger people involved in keeping this tradition alive.
A visitor telescope and information board shaped like a haaf net have been installed at the Whinnyrigg Fish House on Seafield Road and a bench has also been placed at the Fish House and at the Fish Cross to recognise and record the importance of this site in the Towns fishing history.
More information can be found online at www.annanhaafnets.org
The exhibition is free and open until 14 June.
