WATCH: Salt panning back in Brora
Around 70 people attended a sea salt making day organised by Clyne Heritage Society at Brora Heritage Centre last Saturday.
Specially invited guests Sandy Mackintosh, the former electrician at the defunct Brora Coal Mine, and brothers Sandy and Angus Mackenzie, whose father and uncle worked in the mine, officially opened a specially-constructed replica salt pan.
Mr Mackintosh cut the tartan ribbon across the furnace door and the Mackenzie brothers placed pieces of Brora coal in the hearth and the fire was lit. Brora coal was traditionally used to heat seawater to extract salt.
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4 / 4This project celebrates the highly successful collaboration between the society and the Waggonway Project 1722 from Cockenzie, East Lothian, who built the replica salt pan in 2019.
The team of expert salters made the return trip to Brora in authentic 18th century costumes to train local volunteers to make sea salt.
Brora’s salt industry was initiated in 1598 by Jean Gordon, Countess of Sutherland, with two later phases in the mid-18th and early 19th centuries.
A programme of community excavations led by The SCAPE Trust has helped keep this heritage alive and Saturday’s historic activities can now be added to Brora’s ongoing salt-making story.
Jacqueline Aitken, one of the society’s organisers, said: "It was a momentous day for Brora and we were delighted with the turnout of volunteers and visitors throughout the day.
"Brora can be proud of the fact that it has Scotland’s most northerly coal fired salt pan.
"There were great cheers when the salt crystals began to appear in the boiling water. We couldn’t have done it without all the local support we’ve received and the dedication and encouragement from our friends at Cockenzie.
"Around 6kg of bright white Brora salt was the end result of a thoroughly enjoyable day."
The film clip showing the days events was captured by Robert Aitken Filmproduction
