A blue and white cotton striped apron

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

51528

Description

A Newhaven fish wife's apron made for the 1929 Gala day. The apron is blue and white striped cotton with plain white ties, spread out, lying flat on a white background.

Date

1929

Location

Museums Collection Centre

Copyright

The City of Edinburgh Council Museums and Galleries

Every year, a gala day is held in Newhaven, celebrating the past and present of the village. Part of the celebrations include children dressing up as fishwives and fishermen, with replica traditional outfits. This apron was made for a Gala attendee in 1929, in the style of a fishwife’s distinctive striped apron. Such outfits were worn by fishwives working all across the shores of the Forth, but the striped aprons became particularly symbolic of Newhaven and Musselburgh. Visually striking, the aprons were also practical pieces of clothing for a physically demanding job.

On the day, the Gala Queen and Fisher King arrive at the ceremony by boat, known as the Royal Barge, with a procession then taking place through the village to the coronation. The Gala is an important day for the community, bringing people together to celebrate Newhaven’s proud heritage with games, food, music and much more.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Garments > Aprons

Clothing and dress > Garments > Gala costume

People > Agriculture and fisheries > Fisherwomen

Places > Edinburgh areas > Newhaven

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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