A gentleman visiting Scarborough made a fishingexpedition along the coast in 1779. He kept a journalwhich descibed his landing. At some point he caught amackerel and some fine salmon trout. Filey was not yeta seaside resort.
"We took a boat one morning to visit Flamborough Head;but the wind not favouring us, we were obliged to putashore at Filey, on the north side of the Bay. Beingtotally ignorant of our way, we attempted to climb thecliff, which rose extremely high, and was very steep.After clambering over the rocks at the bottom, Iascended with real difficulty to within three yards ofthe top. It then rose so suddenly, from the point where I was upon hands and knees, that I could notget forward."
"The idea of returning terrified me, and on lookingback, I was astonished at my temerity in the attempt,and at the height to which I had arrived. I gave itup and expected every moment to fall. In getting justbefore, from this same point where I lay, Mr. A. slipped and was near falling upon me. He, however,recovered himself by sudden effort, but in his ascentloosened the stones and gravel which came rolling downupon me in a heavy shower. The same thing happened tome, but this last attempt brought me so near the top,as enabled Mr. B. to catch hold of my coat and draw mesafe to the top".
The people of the town told us, nobody had everattempted that part of the cliff before.
John Rushton
