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

This page has four adverts for local businesses.

The first advert is for William Sinclair, Wholesale fruit merchant, Camps, Wick

The second advert is for William Clyne, Butcher, Bank Row, Wick

The third advert is for Dan Dunnetts, Shoe shop, High Street, Wick
The owner of this business was the first boy scout in Wick and father of Major Dunnet, Lord Lieut. of Wick, who eventually took over the business. The business moved in High Street to what is now the Highland Hospice.

The fourth advert is for G&J Chalmers, Grocer, High Street, 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.

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