THE HARBOUR

For centuries the sheltered harbour of Portmahomack saw extensive use by the fishing fleet and regular cargo ships, which imported and exported goods and produce.

The original harbour pier was built by the Earl of Cromarty (Lord Tarbat) in 1698.

The girnal or warehouse constructed by Alexander Stronach to store the grain for export is still a feature in Portmahomack today.

Between 1813 and 1816 the pier, having fallen into a state of disrepair, was rebuilt engineer and architect Thomas Telford.

FOOD AND DRINK

The 18th century diet was very basic by todays standards.  Fruit and vegetables other than potatoes and kale (cabbage) were rare.

Barley and oats were ground into meal to make bannocks.  Oats were also used for porridge and sowans (raw oat husks soaked in milk).

Butter, cheese and eggs were also available.  

Although fish was abundant  meat  was hardly eaten apart from the occasional rabbit.

Milk and locally distilled whisky were the mainly drunk until the introduction of tea around 1800.

Iron stoves with ovens appeared in the 1830's and later vans brought basic groceries to remote areas.

HOUSING

Prior to the mid 19th century most of the houses in Tarbat were made from turf, clay or unmortared stone.

The roofs were also made from turf and the floor was bare earth.

Most houses had only a single room with a central hearth for heating and cooking.

Some dwellings known as 'long houses' would have a byre on the end for livestock and a corn-drying kiln.

Furniture was very basic and there were few tables so food would be served in one dish on the floor.

Oil lamps and candles provided the lighting until the later introduction of parrafin lamps.