Kippers and Castles - Tuesday part 2

Tuesday afternoon – Peel, to visit the Kipper Factory, The House of Manannan Museum and Peel Castle (time permitting!).

We start with the Moore's of Peel, established in 1882, we were shown around the factory by the owner, starting with the automatic splitting machine (replacing the traditional long benches of women splitting herring by hand), the brine tank, and then the smoke chambers.

Smoke is generated by woodshavings – pine for the fire, topped with oak for the correct flavour. Kippers are created by hanging the split, salted herrings, high above the burning wood for several hours (this factory also does bacon – but that takes several days).



It’s important not to let the fires go out – hard work in a chamber with hot herring oil dripping down from above.





The chambers are tall, and up on the first floor we should be level with the hanging racks of kippers – if we can see them through the smoke…






















But a rack is retrieved for us, to prove they are really there.















You can order your kippers online from here…









After being smoked we chose to miss the interior attractions of the The House of Manannan, which uses state-of-the-art displays to demonstrate the ancient and modern story of the island. We opted instead for the fresh air of St Patrick’s Isle, a small offshore island in Peel Harbour, and the site of Peel Castle and Cathedral (both now ruins).


This view is of Peel Harbour from the Castle - and yes, that cloud of smoke is the Kipper Factory.






Another view - this time of Peel Town from the Castle battlements.











This the Cathedral, within the castle curtilage, but once within it's own precinct. Full history is here.












Caroline and the Manx flag at the Castle.