A partnership between Gordonstoun School and a coastal community was hailed a major success as around 2000 people turned out to support a fund raising effort.
Hopeman Harbour Day was formed last year as an effort by the local community to meet the costs of dredging the harbour following sever budget cuts by Moray Council.
Gordonstoun became involved in organising the day alongside other boat owners who regularly use the harbour. The first Harbour Day in 2013 proved to be a massive hit – prompting the community to make it a regular annual event.
A fire engine display and boat trips on the Findhorn-based North 58 launch proved highly popular at the weekend event – with a visit from and RAF Sea King also drawing gasps.
The Gordonstoun Pipe Band helped provide a musical background shared by Dan Ralph’s ‘floating song stage’.
“There was a good crowd that was helped by the mild weather,” Ross McDougall from the harbour day organising committee commented. He added: “It was even better than last year and people were very generous – I think we will have made a few hundred pounds for charities, if not more.”
Gordonstoun head teacher Simon Reid was delighted that the contribution from the school had helped establish the day as a popular annual event. He said: “It is a privilege for us to be working alongside the Boat Owners’ Association for the future of Hopeman harbour and to be raising funds.”
Three local charities were chosen to benefit from the second Harbour day – Lossiemouth’s Ladybird Development Group, the RNLI and the Hopeman Harbour Fund.