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Yellow Butterflies : The colourful character, costume and culture of Scotland’s Fishwives

This exhibition examines the roles of the fishwife in the Scottish fishing industry, exploring how these women and their labour was regarded, represented, censured and celebrated!

Yellow Butterflies : The colourful character, costume and culture of Scotland’s Fishwives

About Yellow Butterflies : The colourful character, costume and culture of Scotland’s Fishwives

Although fishing is commonly thought of as being dominated by men, women contributed directly to the industry through their work in preparing the gear, processing the catch, and then selling the fish. It was this latter activity that brought the fisherwomen into closest contact with wider society, and in this role that they were known as “Fishwives”.

While women working in the herring industry were generally employed, fishwives worked for themselves, selling the fish caught by their family members or bought directly from the fishermen. They would work all year round, their wares varying with the seasons from shellfish to white fish to oily fish, ungutted or filleted, fresh, salted or smoked.

Being independent and distinctive saleswomen, fishwives gathered a reputation – both positive and negative – in the eyes of the public. They were admired for their colourful clothing, strength of character and healthy looks, while often being scorned for their harsh tongues and loud voices: “to scold like a fishwife” was a well-used phrase.

This exhibition examines the roles of the fishwife in the Scottish fishing industry, exploring how these women and their labour was regarded, represented, censured and celebrated, both by others and by the women themselves.

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Other Events at The Scottish Fisheries Museum

Forthlines : Responses to Fife’s coastline produced during Covid

19th June 2025 - 31st August 2025

This exhibition in the Scottish Fisheries Museum showcases squares made by people living in Fife reflecting places that they know and love.

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Felted Sea Creature Workshop

Selected dates between 29th June 2025 - 22nd July 2025

Inspired by our exhibition ‘Forthlines’ at The Scottish Fisheries Museum, join artist Jennie Loudon and have a go at needle felting!

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Crail Brushstrokes - Summer Art Exhibition

1st July 2025 - 29th July 2025

The Scottish Fisheries Museum is pleased to welcome back a group of Crail-based artists known as "Brushstrokes", featuring landscapes and landmarks familiar to many who live in or visit Crail.

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Kipper’s Summer Club

10th July 2025 - 12th August 2025

Join Kipper’s Summer Club at The Scottish Fisheries Museum every Tuesday and Thursday for a different drop-in craft activity!

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Open Pass Scotland
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Hostelworld

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