For centuries, salmon fishing on the River Tweed shaped local life and livelihoods. Although net fishing ended in the 1980s, one historic tradition continues each year at Norham.
Since Victorian times, the Vicar of Norham has offered prayers at Pedwell Landing at the start of the salmon fishing season, asking for a blessing on the river, the fishery, and those who work and visit there. Known as the Pedwell Prayer, the blessing was traditionally followed by a shared wee dram of whisky.
After the Norham Fishery closed in 1987, the tradition fell away, but it was revived 25 years later. Today, the Blessing of the New Salmon Fishing Season, held annually at 8.00am at the start of the season in February, attracts local ghillies, members of the fishing community, local residents and visitors from near and far.
The short service includes the symbolic pouring of a wee dram of whisky into the river, followed by the sharing of whisky and shortbread with those gathered on the riverbank. A line is cast on the water for the first time of the season, and tradition still holds that any fish caught during the service belongs to the Vicar.
Last year’s blessing drew nearly forty people — the largest gathering so far — reflecting the growing affection for this simple but meaningful Tweedside tradition that brings together history, community and the life of the river itself.
