Skinburness, 1848

SKINBURNESS, a village, in the parish of HolmeCultram, union of Wigton, Allerdale ward below Derwent, W. division of Cumberland, 11½ miles (N.W. by W.) from Wigton. This place had anciently a market and a fair, granted to the abbot of Holme-Cult ram; and was of considerable importance as a depôt from which the army employed against the Scots was supplied with stores. About 1303, the town was washed away by an irruption of the sea; and the abbot having obtained licence to erect a church at Arlosh, a new town was built there, called Newton-Arlosh. Skinburness is now a pleasant village and respectable bathing-place, commanding a view over the Solway Firth and of the Scottish mountains beyond. A very productive herringfishery is carried on.