On 15th Jan 1739, a deadly hurricane hit central Scotland. At Loch Leven winds drove pike and perch by the “horseload” onto the fields that were sold for a penny per hundred. 229 yr later (to the day) was the Great Storm of 1968 which killed 50+ people.
Scotland’s nickname across medieval Europe (esp. in Spain) was “Piscinata Scotia” i.e. “fishy Scotland”. By 1498, this “old proverb” was a common metaphor for abundance and plenty.
Letter from Don Pedro de Ayala to Ferdinand and Isabela of Spain. 24th July 1498.