Salmon Fishing at Portsoy

The New Statistical Account of Scotland - 1842: -

SALMON FISHING: - Salmon fishing by the bag-net is carried on at a station near to the mouth of the Burn of Boyne.  The rent to the proprietor for the part of the coast in this parish is L.12, 10s.  The average number of salmon caught for the last two years was 147, and of grilses, 410.

 

 

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, September 18th. 1849: -

SALMON FISHERS' BALL - It has long been customary for the hands in the employment of Messrs. Hogarth & Co.; connected with the receiving station at Portsoy to have a friendly meeting at the close of the season; before leaving for their respective homes.  Accordingly, the fishing season now being closed, their ball came off on the evening of Thursday last (13th. Sept. 1849), in the large loft at the station.  Those of the men who are married brought their wives and families with them, and those who are single brought their sweethearts and friends.  The merry dance was kept up till about 12 o'clock, when refreshments were served round and during the repast, a bumper was pledged, with right good will, to the health and success of the employers, who are upon all occasions most attentive to their comforts, and also to the health of Mr. Proctor, the Manager.   Some excellent songs were sung, and the evening was spent in a most agreeable and harmonious manner, every one present seeming to vie with those around him as to which of them should contribute the largest share of the common stock of happiness.  The dance was resumed, and kept up till nearly three o'clock, and even then, some seemed loathe to part.  The hands, afterwards, embarked on board the "Bonnie Dundee" most of them being from Fortrose and places adjacent.
 

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Banffshire Reporter, Wednesday, May 6th. 1891: -

DEATH OF THE LESSEE OF MR. ANDREW GEILS, SALMON FISHINGS - It is our melancholy duty today to record the death of Mr. Andrew Geils, lessee of salmon fishings in Moray and Banff.   The sad event took place suddenly on Monday (4th. May 1891) at Mount Pleasant, Schoolhendry St., Portsoy, where he resided with his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Gillan.   Mr. Geils had not been feeling strong, but he showed no symptoms calculated to give rise to serious apprehensions.   On Sunday he kept indoors; and not feeling himself sufficiently recovered on Monday morning he remained in bed.   He partook of a light breakfast with evident relish, and Mrs. Gillan visited him several times in the course of the forenoon, and observed no change for the worse in his condition.  On entering the bedroom at half-past twelve, however, she was alarmed to find Mr. Geils lying in an apparently unconscious state.  Having spoken to him and received no reply, she at once called for assistance; and, shortly thereafter Dr. Stewart was in attendance.    On his arrival, however, life was found to be extinct.   The cause of death was pronounced to be heart disease.
 

          Mr. Geils, who has been cut down in the prime of life, only having attained his 45th. year, was a native of Foveran, in Aberdeenshire.  He was the eldest son of the late Mr. John Geils, whose connection as lessee with the fisheries referred to, extended over a lengthened period.   When the subject of this brief notice was seven years of age, he went with his parents to reside at Burghead, where he received his education. After leaving school, he entered the Elgin branch of the Royal Bank, with the view of getting a knowledge of business in order to fit him for the increasing responsibilities pertaining to the management of the fisheries held by his father.
 

          After remaining at the bank desk for a short time, and preferring practice to theory, Mr. Geils took part in all the operations pertaining to the important industry, upon the carrying out and furtherance of which he had set his mind.  Under his father at Burghead, and with Mr. Barclay (now his foreman at Portsoy), Mr. Geils soon made progress, and showed such aptitude for the details of the work that he was entrusted with the full management and control of the station at Pitgaveney, Lossiemouth; and, after being there for a couple of years, at the close of 1867, on his father acquiring the Seafield fishings, which became vacant at the time, it was he  (Mr. Andrew Geils) who was placed in charge of this important addition which had been made to their already extensive stretch of fishing ground.
 

          On the death of his father, in May of 1882, he became lessee of all the fishings, viz.: - Burghead, Milton of Brodie, and the whole of the Cluny and Seafield fishings on the Banffshire coast.  The success achieved by the father was fully maintained by the son, who carried on the fishing in a quiet and thoroughly business manner.   At losses, in consequence of storms or markets "tending downwards" he did not fret.   This he regarded as the inevitable consequence of circumstances, and always looked hopefully forward and endeavoured to do his utmost to remedy matters.  Results proved the wisdom of this line of action.
 

          To his employees, upwards of forty in number, Mr. Geils showed great respect and kindness, and next to his relatives none will mourn or feel his death more sincerely and deeply than they.  By them Mr. Geil's interests were regarded as identical with their own, and whether he was present or absent, duty was never shirked.  By way of showing the respect in which Mr. Geils, and his father before him, was held, it may be stated that some of the men presently employed have been connected with the fishings for long - indeed, in several instances, for 35 or 37 years.
 

          Although of a quiet and retiring disposition, Mr. Geils took a lively interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the community, and every good cause found in him a willing supporter.    He will be missed by many and in various ways, for which he had a kind heart and an open hand.  Mr. Geils was one of the most popular men, not only in this district, but wherever he had occasion to travel in connection with his extensive business, and we believe he has gone to that land from whence no traveller returns leaving many friends and not a single enemy behind him.   His unexpected death in the midst of an active and prosperous career will cause much and widespread regret.
 

          Mr. Geils was long identified with the volunteer movement, having for some twelve years held the rank of Captain in the Burghead Artillery.   He held his commission for several years after coming to Portsoy, having had occasion frequently to travel eastward.
 

          With the Portsoy Harbour Company he was associated from the start as a director.  He continued to represent the shareholders on the directorate up till the time of his death.
 

          On the adoption of the Lindsay Act two years ago, Mr. Geils was one of the nine gentlemen chosen by the ratepayers to represent them at the Council Board.   He also frequently took part in the deliberations of the Fordyce Parochial Board, of which he was a member.
 

          He was a member of the Portsoy Established Church, which he attended with marked regularity.  And we have reason to believe that his contributions to the objects of the Church were dealt out with no stinted hand.
 

          Mr. Geils was also an enthusiastic Freemason.  He was one of those who took an active part in the formation of St. Stephen Lodge, on the charter of which his name appears.
 

          We may state in a word that he had considerable interest in shipping.
 

          Mr. Geils, who was never married, is survived by his mother (who resides in Portsoy) and by two brothers and a sister (Mrs. Gillan), for whom and his other relatives in their sad bereavement the utmost sympathy is being expressed.
 

          Deceased is to be honoured with a Masonic funeral, which is fixed for tomorrow (Thursday) at two o'clock in the afternoon.   The place of internment is the Burial Ground Portsoy

 

Banffshire Reporter, Wednesday, January 28th. 1914: -

PORTSOY INDUSTRY CHANGES HANDS – SALMON FISHINGS - The Portsoy and other salmon fishings which have been carried on by Messrs. Gillan, Mount Pleasant, and their predecessors since the sixties have just changed hands, all their stations having been taken over by a syndicate formed some five years ago, and since doing business under the name of the Moray Firth Salmon Fisheries Company.   Beginning with a short stretch of water, they have since been yearly adding station to station, until they are now in possession of extensive and valuable fishing grounds.
 

            The fishings which have just changed hands were as far back as 1868 in the hands of Mr. John Geils, father of Mrs. Gillan, Mount Pleasant, Portsoy.  He first held the Seafield fishings, the Gollachy and other stations being afterwards added.  Mr. John Geils was succeeded by his son, Mr. Andrew Geils, and the latter on his death by his brother-in-law, Mr. A.L. Gillan, and it is from the sons of the latter that the Moray Firth Salmon Fisheries Company have now taken over the fishings.