Stately visitor is Burghead’s star heritage attraction

The Reaper dominates Burghead harbour (Rotorworx)

Hundreds turned out at Burghead Harbour on Saturday to catch a rare glimpse of a stately visitor to Moray.

The 112-year-old herring drifter ‘The Reaper’ was visiting the harbour as a special guest for Burghead’s ‘Fishing Heritage’ day – and everyone agreed that this should be an annual event on the local calendar.

Marking the opening of the Burghead Gala week the heritage day saw young enjoy a series of activities that sought to showcase the rich variety of activities available for local and visitor alike.

Local community councillor Joan Megson said: “It was a wonderful afternoon with hundreds of people enjoying the sunshine.

“They were able to try their hands at rowing and dolphin watching as well as learning about the fantastic history of ‘The Reaper’ at first-hand from her crew. Those arriving early might have caught sight of freshly caught prawns being sorted on a local fishing boat – ready to go straight into a superb Paella.

“It was above all a real family occasion with lots of children enjoying boats at Burghead for the first day of Gala Week.”

Boats from local sightseeing firm North 58 were in the harbour to explain the wide range of dolphin-watching and evening dinner trips they undertake throughout the summer.

Both the Reaper and the North 58 boats will remain in Burghead today for a second day of Gala activities.

‘Husband Carrying’ (Joan Megson)

Leave a comment