Frantic activity is to be observed in this picture, one of the many Wilson produced in the 1880s and 1890s as a record of the fishing industry in Scotland. Herring was caught at night between late July and mid-September up to fifty miles off the eastern coastline. During the day the simple but sturdy boats were tightly packed in the harbour, while the fish, which goes off easily, was rapidly gutted and packed with salt in barrels. This is what a group of female workers is doing in the lower left corner of the picture.