East Lothian`s own version of Whisky Galore...

The famous author Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) was related to the Dale family who still own and farm much of the land around Seacliff. The Author often visited North Berwick town and Seacliff estate...

A book he wrote in 1892 titled The Wreckers is said to be based on tales he heard of the “Pagans of Scoughall”, who would lure ships into shore using lanterns in order to wreck and plunder them on the rocks at Seacliff.
Seacliff today...

The Pagans of Scoughall (pronounced  skoal as in the lager) had the worst of reputations, and were said to tie a horse's neck to its knee and attach a lantern to the rope. Then drive the horse slowly along the cliffs, so that a vessel out at sea would think it a ship riding at anchor, and come in, only to be wrecked on the rocky reef known as the Great Car and be plundered by the ghoulish people.
Stevenson also wrote in his book 'Catriona' of the 'lights of Scoughall' and purposely put 'Tam Dale' in charge of the prisoners on the Bass Rock island prison offshore in the Firth of Forth.

Researching the wreck of the SS Podarosa at Scoughall Rocks...
SS Poderosa wreck...

 I happened upon an amusing story of another boat that ran aground here on its rocks and of its cargo;

The Haddingtonshire Courier reported on the events in October 1864;

During a large storm a French Schooner named the `louise` was driven onto the rocks near Scoughall on the North Berwickshire coastline on Saturday evening...
The Louise was carrying Hard liquor, Not Whisky though but 110 tons of Brandy.
The crew and skipper were rescued and by the time they were ashore so had the Brandy begun to be washed up...

The Courier reported;
"truth compels us to state that in connection with the stranded cargo the conduct of many of the country people who had been attracted to the spot was in the highest degree reprehensible. We are willing to believe that it was not till the last man was rescued from the vessel that they began to help themselves to the Brandy,but once they commenced,they were not slow in availing themselves to the opportunity to make themselves for once in there lifetime acquainted with the fine taste of Cognac.
One cask after another that had been washed out of the bottom of the wreck and partially stove in,was surrounded by groups of country people- young lads and boys being among the number-and the contents being drank so freely and recklessly that scores of them sat down beside the barrels in a state of helpless toxication... The scene witnessed on the Sunday afternoon on the wreck-strewn beach at Scoughall was utterly disgraceful to the character of the people who took part in it,and would seem to indicate that where strong drink can be surreptitiously obtained, neither the honesty of some of our Scottish peasantry nor there respect for the sacredness of the Sabbath are proof of there desire to get at it"

Out of 2000 casks the Coastgaurds seized 1000 casks,
The local Customs official Mr Brodie in an effort to restore his country mans dignity reported in a later Courier that the numbers of those found intoxicated was exaggerated and they were Irish farmhands and labourer`s from other farms...

Mmm...I bet there were a few sore heads around Seacliff on the Monday Morning...