Why it matters: The exhibition, which takes place at The Hold in Ipswich from 22-30 May, shines a light on an often-overlooked part of our maritime history, highlighting how these hardy women played a huge role in the economy and community of fishing towns in Scotland and East Anglia.
The big picture: "Following the Fish" is a joint initiative between Suffolk Archives, High Life Highland's Archive Service, Tasglann nan Eilean (the Hebridean Archives), and Norfolk Record Office, funded by a grant from Lloyd's Register Foundation.
By the numbers: Between 1850-1950, herring fishing was a massive industry that:
Exported millions of barrels of cured herring across Europe
Employed thousands of people
Brought around 6,000 women from the Highlands and Islands to travel around the country
The details: Known as the "Scotch Girls" south of the border, these women:
Followed the herring fishing fleets from Scotland to Suffolk and Norfolk
Travelled hundreds of miles, mostly on special trains
Were employed primarily to gut, cure, and pack the fresh catch within 24 hours
Performed work that was both back-breaking and highly skilled
Often married and settled far from home as they followed the fleets
What they're saying: "It's a fascinating exhibition that shines a light on the important role the herring girls played in communities and the fishing industry around the UK. Their hard work and determination had a lasting impact, and it's great to see their stories being shared and remembered here in Suffolk," said Cllr Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality.
For context: The herring season started in the Western and Northern Isles in May and gradually made its way clockwise around the coast of Scotland and England, finishing in December in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
Behind the scenes: Lorna Steele-McGinn from High Life Highland has been working with all the other archive services to collate the stories, images and artefacts for the exhibition.
"With so many women away from home it's been fascinating to hear about the journeys they made, the juggling of work and home life, and the memories of fathers, grandparents and other community members bringing up children in their mothers' temporary absence," she said.
How to visit: Following the Fish will be on display at The Hold in Ipswich from 22 May to 30 May. It'll be in The Street, so can be viewed from 8.30am-5pm, Monday-Saturday.
The bottom line: "Following the Fish is a wonderful exhibition which celebrates these hard-working women and preserves their legacy," added Steele-McGinn.
