Eyemouth lies a mere five miles north of the Border with England, where the mouth of the river Eye provides a natural harbour and sandy beaches as well as an obvious inspiration for the town's name. Fishing is key to Eyemouth life and dates back to the 13th Century.
Like other coastal communities in the 18th century, smuggling was rife amidst the clusters of houses, narrow wynds, caves and underground tunnels. The solitary mansion of Gunsgreen House on the south side of the harbour was at the centre of this illicit trade in wine, spirits, tea and tobacco.
In the 19th century the industry flourished on the basis of haddock and herring fishing, but the port suffered a devastating blow on the 14th October 1881 Disaster Day. When a great sea storm wrecked the fishing fleet and 189 fishermen, 129 from Eyemouth alone, were drowned, many within sight of the shore. The local museum illustrates the town's history, with a magnificent 15 foot tapestry commemorating the great East Coast fishing disaster.
The Berwickshire coastline, with its small villages of St Abbs, Coldingham and Burnmouth, provides a fascinating and beautiful range of scenery - from high cliffs and deep clear water to sandy coves and quaint fishing harbours. An ideal setting for a spot of 'twitching', walking, diving or fishing.
Nearby Paxton House is an outpost of the National Galleries of Scotland and is home to the largest collection of Chippendale furniture in Scotland.
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Nearest Tourist Information Centre is in Eyemouth
Information Service Tel: 01835 863170
Email: bordersinfo@visitscotland.com
Opening Times: Click Here
Another source of information on St Abbs and Eyemouth and places of interest on the coast are St Abbs website and Eyemouth town website please note that accommodation within these web sites may not be covered under the VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme.
For everything and anything related to water - from Scotland's inland waterways and coastline to water based activities, lighthouses, sailing, seafood competitions and interesting facts & stories please check out the Seascotland website