Crovie was established by families ( crofters ) who had been moved off the land to make room for the landowners ' sheep . Here , they operated fishing boats for the local landlord and gradually acquired their own craft instead . The fishing industry declined in the 20th century before ceasing altogether with the storm of 1953 , which washed away a number of structures and forced the residents to flee . Since then most of the buildings have been turned into holiday lets
storm of 1953
North Sea flood of 1953
Crovie