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Bizarre Dundonian fish tradition revived in time for New Year

Lynne with one of the decorated cardboard fish models.
Lynne with one of the decorated cardboard fish models.

A workshop centred on reviving a Dundonian New Year tradition involving decorated fish has gone swimmingly, according to organisers.

Singer Lynne Campbell and PhD student Erin Farley decided to bring back the long-forgotten custom of giving a brightly-dressed herring as a first footing gift, after being inspired by an art exhibition on the ritual.

The pair set up a stall in Dundee’s Wellgate Centre, where they offered passers-by the chance to decorate their own fish.

But they were “herring on the side of caution” when it came to hygiene, opting for a less messy cardboard version. 

Lynne said: “In the past, people would keep cured fish in barrels to preserve them, as they didn’t have fridges.

“The herring was freshly caught in January and it would be kept in the barrels all year.

“Towards the time of New Year people would empty what was left in their barrels to make way for the fresh fish, and the first one to go in was thought to bring good luck.

“It developed into a tradition where they’d decorate the fish, and then hang it up in their homes until the following year.

“I first heard about it through an artist called Deirdre Roberts, who did an exhibition based on this at the Scottish Fisheries Museum.

“I thought it was really interesting and got together with Erin, whose PhD is based on folklore, so that we could organise something to spread the word.”

The tradition dates back to 1900 and is thought to be unique to Dundee and the surrounding east coast towns.

Many people would keep the head and tail of the fish but get rid of the main flesh — dressing the herring in outfits made of paper or scraps of fabric.

Lynn explained that the date of the fish decorating workshop, December 28, was significant as on the same date in 1957 the Courier ran an article on how the tradition was under threat.

She added: “People used to buy their herrings from Mid Kirk Style, in the area where the Overgate is now.

“But in 1957 that area was being demolished to make way for new buildings, so it was feared that would be the end of the custom.

“The tradition did disappear, but we hope to revive it. We’re using cardboard fish as they’re less messy and smelly, and the whole family can be involved in decorating them.

“So far people have been curious and willing to get on board with the initiative and we hope that can continue!”