Reston: Rail and Eyemouth’s Fishing Heritage

Reston railway station reopened in May 2022, more than half a century after the original station closed. It serves the wider area, including Eyemouth and Coldingham. This regional rail connection offers a practical point of reference when planning a trip to Reston. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel dates.

Eyemouth’s harbour and fishing history

In the wider area, Eyemouth is an important point of reference for fishing history: the town is Scotland’s second-largest inshore fishing harbour. Eyemouth Harbour has been in existence since the 12th century. The design of the harbour-front buildings in the 18th century also makes the town particularly interesting: Eyemouth is considered an exemplary example of this architectural style. The harbour thus combines a long history with a townscape where many interesting buildings can also be discovered.

Eyemouth Museum is dedicated to the town’s fishing and social heritage. Exhibits and local stories convey different aspects of this heritage. The Eyemouth Tapestry in the museum is a special reminder of it. It depicts the Great Fishing Disaster of 1881, in which 189 fishermen from Berwickshire died at sea. The museum and tapestry give the subject of fishing a historical and personal dimension that goes beyond a description of the harbour.

Coast and experiences around Eyemouth

Coastal Exploration is a leisurely, relaxing and scenic sea safari along the Berwickshire Coast. Highlights include caves, seals and seabirds. The experience is connected with Eyemouth Harbour; the operator runs it during the main season. Another way to experience the harbour is available in summer, when families can watch the busy harbour in action. Seasonality is therefore an important distinction when planning these activities. The reference to the main season applies to the sea safari operator; the summer reference, by contrast, relates to watching the harbour in action.

There are also various ways to discover Eyemouth on land. Signs mark points of interest along the Eyemouth Town Trail, and a leaflet provides further information. Some of the places along the trail are private homes. Please respect the owners’ privacy there. Eyemouth Beach is easily accessible and suitable for beginner snorkellers. Numerous paths along the surrounding coast also offer good views of Eyemouth Beach.

These options offer different points of focus: the Town Trail combines points of interest with brief information, the museum tells the story of the fishing and social heritage, and coastal paths offer views of the beach. On the water, Coastal Exploration focuses on the sea, caves, seals and seabirds; in summer, watching the harbour in action is another option.

For the wider travel overview: Eyemouth.