The Abergeldie at The Low Lights Tavern

The Abergeldie at The Low Lights Tavern

Date of Event 15th January 2025

Thought to be the oldest pub in North Shields, The Low Lights Tavern has been at the heart of the Fish Quay community for over 400 years—welcoming locals and visitors with good cheer and great pints.

Back in 1956, a local painter and decorator named Eddie Rowley climbed up on a chair in the tavern and created a striking mural above the fireplace. The scene captured a trawler called The Abergeldie docked at The Western Quay, with a then-undeveloped South Shields in the distance.

When Danny Higney took over The Low Lights in 2016, the mural was nowhere to be found. Regulars, especially retired fishermen, remembered it fondly and spoke of its existence, but most assumed it had been lost for good when the building fell into disrepair in the early 2000s. Since it had been painted directly onto the textured wallpaper, many believed it had simply been scraped away and forgotten.

Then, in a twist no one saw coming, the mural resurfaced early in 2024. As it turns out, years ago, some thoughtful locals had carefully removed the painted section of wallpaper, mounted it onto plywood, and saved it. Thanks to their efforts, a piece of the pub’s story – and the community’s history – had been preserved. Now with the help of North Shields Fishermans Heritage Project the painting hangs proudly over the fireplace.

” We were delighted to have the painting returned to its original place in The Tavern many thanks to North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project for all they have done to make it happen ” Danny Higney Low Lights Tavern

” A very big thank you to Danny Cameron and the staff at The Tavern for their hospitality and hosting of this historic event ” Terry McDermott Chairman NSFHP