Cullen around 1790

"Agriculture - The farms are small, from 5L. to 50L. of rent, and the fine field about the town is let in small lots, to accommodate the inhabitants. Although the soil is fit to produce any kind of grain, yet the crops generally raised are, oats, barley, pease, beans, turnip, potatoes, sown grass, and flax. Flax seems to be a precarious crop upon the east coast of Scotland; the soil and climate are too dry for it, but in a moist season there are good crops....

Fisheries - The sea affords plenty and variety of fishes, haddock, whiting, flounder, mackerel, holybut, turbot, cod, ling, tusk, dog and cat.The only shell-fish in abundance is crab and lobster, which last are caught in large quantities, and of late sent to the London market. There are two fishing villages, one at the north end of the town of Cullen, where there are 7 fishing boats; and one called Portknockies, 2 miles west of Cullen, in the annexed part of the parish of Rathven, where there are other 7 boats. Each boat has 6 men; by whose industry the town and country around are amply supplied with good fish. Besides what is sold daily, the fishers cure and dry a considerable amount of cod, ling, skate and haddocks, which, after serving the country, they they carry to Montrose, Forfar, Dundee and Leith, where, besides their oil, each man sells at an average, 10L. value of fish; and they bring home hemp, wool and salt for their own use.

Manufactures - Before the year 1748, the inhabitants of Cullen were as poor and idle as any set of people in the north. There was no industry, trade or manufacture among them: their only employment was to labour a few acres of land, and to keep tippling houses; and often to drink with one another, to consume the beer for want of customers. The late Earl of Findlater, that true patriot, pitying the situation of the people, resolved to introduce the linen manufacture among them....

The manufacture here, as well in other places, has had its vicissitudes, owing to good or bad markets and demands; but still it continues on the whole in a comfortable state. There are in this small place 65 looms, constantly employed in weaving linen, some few of them in weaving damask. The manufacturers also give out a great number of webs to be woven by country weavers in their own shops. There are also 7 stocking looms constantly employed."

Contributed to:The Statistical Account of Scotland (ca. 1790)
by the Rev. Mr. Robert Grant, Minister of Cullen