The fishermen of Pittulie attribute this phenomenon to the "quickenan o' life " in the sea.
Fishermen agree in saying that during this season the sea rises much more quickly and under less force of wind than at other seasons. Old Footdee fishermen call this excitability of the sea "the ready row" (ready roll), and say that it is caused by the thickness of the water. The fishermen of Pittulie and other villages say that "the sea is prood (proud) in May."
In Cove the favourite day for launching a boat was Saturday. The toast drunk was, "Ere's[1] yir ealth, an a wis ye fire-wid (wood) o' her."
The old fisherman of Footdee also preferred Saturday. After going through the ceremonies of throwing corn or barley on a new boat when brought home (Macduff), and breaking a bottle or wineglass containing whiskey on it, the following words were repeated: "She's a bonnie boat. May Gueed mak 'ir a gueed boat t'you, an t' a' it may gyang in 'ir."
The notion of luck arising from having a horseshoe in the boat is well known. Some fishermen (Macduff) attach most virtue to a mare's fore shoe, particularly if it has been picked up by chance or "fun'."
Some time ago, when a fisherman was to make a new line, a few of his neighbours came and gave a helping hand. If any one entered the house as the work was going on, money, commonly a shilling, had to be given. This money was spent for whisky, which was drunk after the line was made. But whether a stranger enter the house, and gave the money or not, whisky was drunk. On such occasions the usual toast was, "Yir health, an wis sin (wishing) you a tow-belt o' 'ir, man." A tow-belt was a piece of cord tied round the loins to hold up the trousers, or to keep the jacket tight. No braces or "gallowses" were then in use, and there was no such thing as oilskins. The tow-belt was usually a piece of a fishing-line that was worn out and had to be discarded for fishing purposes. (Macduff.)
- ↑ Many of the older fisher-folks on the east coast drop the initial h, as ame for hame, at for hat.
