The licensing and regulation of carters and porters was a feature of many municipalities around the Clyde, and the Burgh of Rothesay was no exception. The porters on Rothesay Pier were particularly famous for their “pointing” during the late Victorian and Edwardian period. They had a brief resurrection after the first world war but seem to have disappeared sometime during the 1920s.

“No person shall be permitted to ply for hire as a Porter until licensed by the Trustees and furnished with a badge which must be constantly conspicuously affixed to his breast and his name painted on his barrow and all porters must be sober, steady and civil to every person and they shall not go on board the steamboat until called by some one of the passengers whose directions shall be immediately obeyed without waiting any other hire. No separate charge shall be made for letters and parcels or goods which ought to have been delivered together and the delivery must take place immediately on arrival—all under a penalty not exceeding twenty shillings or in the option of the Trustees forfeiture of licence and badge.”

Rothesay Pier

Complaints against the porters were dealt with quite harshly and the conditions under which they worked were challenging. There are records of significant acts of heroism when unfortunates fell into the harbour.

“Accident at the pier.—On Thursday afternoon while the steamer Grenadier was being moored at the Pier in a strong breeze of south-westerly wind, one of her ropes, which was fastened to a pawl and had a turn round a small pawl on the edge of the Pier, carried the latter away, and sent the piece, which would weigh about a stone, among those standing near. The iron, which snapped in two places where it was seven eigths of an inch thick, struck John Shaw on the back of the left leg, between the ankle and the knee, and tearing through thick clothing severely lacerated the flesh. The iron also struck porter H. Maclean on the foot and above the ankle, but his injuries were comparatively slight. The injured men were driven home and were attended by Dr Reid. It does not appear that bones have been broken in either case, and while Shaw especially, may be confined to the house for some time, the consequences might have been much more serious. The pawl which gave way was put in to replace one which previously went, and it was supposed to be strong enough to stand any possible strain.”—Rothesay Chronicle, January 9, 1886

“Rescue from drowning.—On Wednesday afternoon, shortly before five o’clock, a little boy, who was fishing from the north-west corner of the pier, accidentally fell over, and in imminent danger of drowning. Immediately seeing the accident, Hugh M‘Lean, porter No, 9, without divesting himself of any of his clothes, very gallantly went over the pier into the water, and succeeded in saving the boy’s life. The tide was low at the time of the accident, and there was, therefore, considerable distance between the pier and the water. Much credit is due to M‘Lean for his prompt and invaluable act. At the slip, a few feet from where the little fellow referred to fell into the water, another boy got a “dip” same evening, but immediately got out. The practice of comparative children playing about the front of the pier is one that parents would do well to try and prevent.”—Rothesay Chronicle, August 25, 1883

“Gallantry Rewarded.— A few weeks ago Treasurer Mackinnon called the attention of the Royal Humane Society, not simply to an act of bravery, but to the spirit of bravery possessed Mr Hugh M‘Lean, quay porter, Rothesay, shown by his readiness to leap to the rescue of the drowning whenever there is call for it. The last occasion was about two months ago, when a boy, a stranger in town, fell from the drawbridge into the harbour. Being the very busiest time of the season, a large crowd speedily collected, but the moment M‘Lean came forward he leaped in, as he has done on four or five previous occasions, and brought the boy speedily ashore. Yesterday morning Mr Mackinnon received the honorary testimonial of the Royal Humane Society, beautifully inscribed vellum, stating that at a meeting on 15th August it was resolved unanimously that M‘Lean was justly entitled to the distinction for rescuing John Macmillan, who was in imminent danger of drowning and whose life he gallantly saved. The document, which is enclosed in a leather case, is signed by the Duke of Argyll, Captain A. B. Hawes, treasurer of the Society, and Mr J. W. Home, the secretary. We hope the recommendation of the Society that the parchment will be publicly presented, will be arranged for.”—Rothesay Chronicle, September 17, 1892

“Acknowledgement of bravery.— Provost M‘Millan, Treasurer Mackinnon, ex- Provost Sharp and two or three other gentlemen met in the Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon for the purpose of publicly recognising the intrepid conduct of quay porter Hugh M‘Lean to which we referred last week.

“The Provost said he held in his hand a testimonial of the Royal Humane Society, for saving life, and before presenting it he would take the opportunity of saying that this was not the first time M‘Lean had risked his own life to save the life of others, for he understood that during the last six or seven years he had been instrumental in saving the lives of six different persons at Rothesay pier, for any one of which acts he was justly entitled to receive this recognition. As he put it himself, he had been satisfied with simply doing his duty and had thought no more about it, and on this occasion it would have been the same had not others reported the act for which the Society had been pleased to forward the testimonial. On that last occasion there was a large crowd round the scene, but they were quite helpless to render any assistance until M‘Lean came on the scene as the right man in the right place and at the right time. When it was considered what enormous crowds come here in the summer and the large number who take advantage of boating, knowing very little about it, and the very rare occurrence of drowning cases it must be apparent that a great many lives are saved by prompt personal bravery of this kind, and if all these cases were reported they might have at the end of the season quite number of these rewards to present, instead of only an occasional one with years between. M‘Lean had been employed as a harbour porter for a number of years and there had never been a single complaint against him, and in another capacity, as a Burgh servant, he had always done his work to the entire satisfaction of the Magistrates and Council. He hoped this example would stimulate young men to learn to swim. After a few further words, and having read the parchment, the Provost said he hoped it would be handed down to future generations.

“Mr M‘Lean, in a few modest words, thanked the Humane Society for their recognition, Treasurer Mackinnon for calling the Society’s attention to the matter, and the Provost and Councillors for taking notice off it.

“Mr Sharp advised the Council not to forget that they had in M‘Lean a good servant. If he had been an Irishman, they would have given him pension, but being only a canny Scotchman they passed it over with the piece of parchment.”—Rothesay Chronicle, September 24, 1892

Rothesay Pier, August 28, 1904

A pointing porter at Rothesay

The rates of charge were also specified; for a barrow-load from the quay the charge could be between 6d and 10d depending on the distance; a small trunk between 3d to 6d and a letter between 1d and 2d. Accusations of overcharging could result in dismissal.

Playing on the gangway at Rothesay

Columba arriving at Rothesay

Porters attending to luggage for the Columba

Waverley at Rothesay with a porter. Round Bute Cruise 1/6d in the first class.

The unique method by which the porters were engaged by visitors began when the principal steamboats such as Columba, Lord of the Isles, Duchess of Rothesay, or Waverley, arrived at the pier. Porters would survey the passengers in the throng of those looking to disembark looking for a likely mark, preferably someone with family luggage who might be willing to tip well for the service. The porter would point to the visitor and was engaged when the visitor pointed back at the porter. When the gangways were placed on board, the porter would board the steamboat for instructions on the luggage and destination.

“A Rothesay pier porter has discovered that rats in a house may be driven away by playing the bagpipes in a darkened room, and has been trying, though in vain, to patent the ‘idea.’”—Greenock Telegraph, October 1, 1898

“Rothesay couple’s state.— Rothesay, Tuesday,—The Parochial and Sanitary Authorities, acting on complaints by neighbours, entered the house in Columnshill Street, occupied by an old pier porter, John Clark, and his wife. They found the place in very insanitary condition, and the old woman in a debilitated state for want of food. Both were removed to hospital for treatment. It was believed that they lived in extreme poverty, but sum of £3OO, mostly in silver, was found in an old chest.”—Greenock Telegraph, March 19, 1907

“Rothesay porters have subscribed half a guinea among themselves towards helping the town’s advertising fund. No bad for the pointers”—Greenock Telegraph, August 1, 1908

Postcard sent on June 2, 1907. Message reads: “This is what we were greeted with on arrival. One dozen of ‘em all in a row. Bert”

The porters wore white coats to make them visible, and the enameled metal badges were numbered 1-12. In 1907, they were: No. 1 John Stewart, Staffa Place; No. 2 James Patrick, Staffa Place; No. 3 James M‘Donald, Mount Pleasant; No.4 James Cumming, Watergate; No. 5 C. M‘Lachlan, 135 High Street; No. 6 Dugald M‘Murchie, Ladeside; No. 7 Robert M‘Leish, West Princes Street; No. 8 Robert Young, Castle Street; No. 9 Hugh M‘Lean, 7 Union Street; No. 10 John Shaw, 19 Victoria Street; No. 11 Duncan M‘Kellar, Colbeck Place; No. 12 John Keith, 19 Mill Street.

Awaiting Columba around 1920

“Patrick Shields was born in Rothesay about fifty years ago. His parents belonged to Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland. “Pat,” as he is familiarly called, has been a licensed porter on Rothesay Pier for the last fourteen years. During that time he has rescued from drowning many persons, and the certificate of the Royal Humane Society has been presented to him on three occasions. The last rescue he made was on 19 th March 1925. When the R.M.S. Grenadier, on her run to Ardrishaig, had left Rothesay Pier, a gentleman, Mr Norman Graham, fell from the deck into the water. The steamer was stopped, but Shields had already jumped from the pier and had a hold of Graham, who was rescued little the worse of his immersion. Shields served during the war in the 51st Highland Divisional Ammunition Column.

“The medal is from the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, and was received on the application of Mr John M. Lamont , Vice-Convener of Buteshire, who was fortunate in being able to enlist the help and influence of Lady Margaret MacRae of Feorlinn.”—The Scotsman, July 7, 1926.

“Rothesay pier porters, who had previously received a gift of £200 from Mr W. W. Strain, a Glasgow solicitor, have been left £511 under his will, the money to used in old age, sickness, or infirmity.”—May 15, 1937