The meeting of 31st July was treated to an extremely interesting talk by Emeritus Professor Chris Smout, who took as his topic 17th Century trading from the East Neuk of Fife. 

It was immediately clear that trading in those times was important, extensive and a fundamental part of business for the East Neuk. Prof Smout commented that they probably knew more about Europe in those times than we do now!

Sailing boats of 30 to 50 tons displacement, from East Neuk harbours traded continuously across the north sea to the Scandinavian and Baltic countries. Voyages would typically be of three weeks or so duration. It is known that there were important trade links to the low countries and down to Bordeaux for wine. Cargoes would include herring, train oil, salt, coal and animal skins; and on the return would bring cloth, flax, hemp, timber, rye, wheat - and ballast such as pantiles. Interestingly we heard that Crail town hall includes Norwegian timber.

It was also clear that trade was extremely well structured and organised, with ships carrying a Supercargo and terms being negotiated via Scottish factors in the foreign ports. 

The talk included much fascinating detail, including reference to trading records of Konningsberg from 1597, when 28 Scots boats were noted as arriving; of which all but two were from Fife - including eight from Anstruther. 

Much more information was obtained from a skipper’s notebooks, covering the period 1662 to 1685. It was evident from these that there was some very profitable trade going on. Then, as now, wine had a hefty profit margin and made it possible for that skipper to own a house and property in Bordeaux, as well as in Fife.

Altogether a fascinating reminder of our long established trading links with Europe and of the skills and courage of the sailors that made the trade possible. Following questions, an appreciative vote of thanks was proposed by David Mann