Use the links in the listing below to find related items

Sixth page of souvenir programme of Wick Herring Queen Crowning Ceremony and Carnival Procession, 23 July 1938.

This page contains four adverts for local businesses.

The first advert is for D.R. Simpson, Ironmongers, Market Place, Wick
This business was taken over by a Mr. Mowat and continued to be an ironmongers. It was then sold to Ronald Fraser who changed it to a newsagent and bookshop but he retained the old name and it continues to trade under the name D.R. Simpson to this day.

The second advert is for Alexander Pate & Coy Ltd. Coal merchant, Burn Street, Wick

The third advert is for Co-Operative Society Ltd. Wick, Bakers and grocers, Wick

The fourth advert is for John Gunn, general merchant, 30 Bank Row, Wick.

The Herring Queen procession and pageantry was started in 1937 by a sub-committee of the Wick Riverside and Town Improvements. It seems to have come from the Coronation of King George VI which occurred earlier in the same year. The Herring Queen herself had to have at least one parent connected with the herring industry. She was elected Queen on the day of her crowning, which took place at the Braehead. She was taken to sea on a drifter and then escorted by as many of the fleet as wished to join them. Carrying passengers, the flotilla went as far as the mouth of Wick Bay where they turned to present a very impressive spectacle as they steamed, in convoy, back to the harbour. The last Herring Queen was elected in 1953 the same year as the herring fishing ceased in the traditional way. The celebration continues to this day under the title of the Gala Queen.

We are grateful to Miss Anne Dunnett, Lord Lieutenant of Caithness, for her help with this information.

You can read this book in our Digital Library

If you would like to view the original item please see the library's website for opening hours. Wick Library