At the next meeting of the WLHAAS, the topic will be Bo’ness and whaling in the age of the sailing ship. We’ll be hearing about the local contributions to what was a significant industry in Scotland from the mid eighteenth century right up until the twentieth century. The last whaling voyage - by Salvesen to the Antarctic was as late as 1926. The part played by Bo’ness are not to be compared with the main centres of trade at Dundee and Leith, but was nevertheless less significant to the towns port and its prosperity.

The talk will be given by Christine Sime who was the librarian at Bo’ness for many years, and has accumulated a wide range of Bo’ness history. She contributed to the Scottish Arctic Whaling Database, part of www.whalinghistory.org This comprehensive site tells us that Greenock in the west was engaged in whaling but the majority of the ports were on the east coast - and include the unexpected ports of Dunbar, Anstruther, Aberdeen, Montrose - there were even a few whaling voyages out of South Queensferry. Christine has not yet exhausted the subject but keeps making new discoveries all the time, which ensures us an informative and enlightening talk.

Whaling was a highly dangerous trade, which almost lead to the extinction of some breeds of whales. No one would want to see the revival of the trade, but the perils, the voyages, the means, the organisation, and the people involved in an industry on our own doorstep should make a fascinating talk.

As its the first talk of this session, it will be our social evening - the talk will be followed by tea, coffee and lots of home baking.

Bo’ness Whaling in the age of sail

A talk by Christine Simm, a retired librarian and local historian from Bo’ness.

VENUE. Ecclesmachan Village Hall, Byburn, Ecclesmachan EH52 6NG at 7.30pm on 17th September 2025

All welcome. Non-members welcome by donation.