Ever since monarchs and governments across the world needed funding, taxation was applied by them to items in popular demand. In the UK; Salt, tea, lace, glass, brandy, gin and other luxuries, such as wool, were publicly unpopular targets.
Smuggling across borders became “meat and drink” to a clandestine world. Here we give an introduction to UK coastal smuggling up to the mid 19th century.
Displayed alongside early 19th century UK coastal craft of the type used by smugglers of the day, will be memorabilia and relics that smugglers and their pursuers - the revenue - would have used, been seen with or be familiar with
The old Eyemouth fishmarket has been reconfigured to recreate the external vision of an C18th frigate moored alongside the harbour.
The ship is “in ordinary” or as we would say today “in mothballs” awaiting orders to be re-rigged and made ready for sea.
Inside. the visitor will see changing exhibitions which will display a human interest story about the builder, user or the part of the world that a particular boat in the World of Boats collection comes from, or where it originally worked.
The centrepiece tells the people-story supported by other craft within the the 300 plus strong collection.
Film and slide shows will form an interactive part of the visitor experience. Sail training and associated educational courses will be held nearby on a regular basis in the future.
Some of our ship models are on display within the building and the ISCA archive, photography collection and library is permanently housed on site.
Winter:
Wednesday - Sunday
11am - 4.30pm
Otherwise:
Monday - Sunday
11am - 6pm
Take a virtual tour of our opening exhibition from the two different angles shown below.
