Monday August 17th 2026
Fishwives triangle at Fisherrow Harbour in Musselburgh is in the centre of a car park with boats often parked on it
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Plans to revamp an historic harbour including a space paying tribute to its fishwives are being put out for consultation.
East Lothian Council’s proposals for Fisherrow Harbour in Musselburgh are moving ahead despite an ongoing public inquiry into a flood protection scheme which will see additional changes to the area.
The Musselburgh Active Toun (MAT) route through the harbour and its promenade aims to make it more accessible to walkers and cyclists in the future.
Among its proposals are creating formal boat storage spaces to reduce clutter including boats being parked on the harbour’s Fishwives Triangle.
The triangle, is currently surrounded by car parking spaces and was named in memory of the town’s extraordinary women who did everything from baiting the lines for their fishermen, gutting thousands of fish every week when they returned with their catch and then carrying them on their backs to market in Edinburgh.
The MAT proposal would see boats removed from the triangle and ‘parklets’ – small benches with greenery attached – placed on it instead.
The plans which have been drawn up in conjunction with the Fisherrow Harbour and Seafront Association include the “reinvention of the “Fishwives Triangle” area to highlight this historic feature by moving the boats away from this area and including flexible parklet features.”
The full proposals are available online to view and comment on until the middle of next month here
A drop-in event will also be held at The Fisherrow Centre in South Street, Musselburgh, on Wednesday, this week, between 2.30pm until 7pm where people can see the plans.
Councillor John McMillan, council spokesperson for environment, economic development and tourism, said: “Musselburgh Active Toun aims to provide safer ways to get around through walking, wheeling, and cycling on designated routes.
“It forms part of a broader initiative to improve the town’s public spaces and bring about significant environmental benefits, including the reduction of carbon emissions and an increase in air quality.
“The feedback gathered from the public will help inform the final designs. I would encourage people to take part in this consultation to ensure the project reflects the needs and aspirations of the local community.”
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