Macduff Harbour’s days as part of the north-east’s fishing industry could be numbered as the council axes spending on the 250-year-old port.
Funding was cut as councillors battled to slash £15 million from the Aberdeenshire budget, at the same time as imposing a 10% council tax hike.
The nightwatchmen service will be abolished, along with an ice factory which only opened five years ago in a bid to bring more business to the town.
The move was set in stone during a vote on Thursday.
But opponents are now warning that the cutbacks will “put lives at risk”, as well as stopping skippers from landing their catch at Macduff.
And less than 24 hours later, one member of the ruling group has already turned mutineer – and vowed to see if the cut can be undone…
What is being axed at Macduff Harbour?
The controversial ice factory which was opened in 2020 will face the chop, with the “white elephant” proving something of a failed experiment.
Council chiefs say it’s now running at a loss, with most vessels having their own facilities on board, and smaller boats using the factory at nearby Banff Harbour – which was recently upgraded.
The plant cost £400,000 to build, with the local authority saving just £20,000 per year by axing it.
But it’s the nightwatchmen service cuts which have provoked the most uproar.
Macduff Harbour nightwatch service to face the chop
The nightwatch role has been a mainstay at Macduff Harbour for more than 40 years.
Their role is to not only make sure the harbour is safe during the early hours, but to assist boats coming in to land their catch.
Without them, boats will only be able to dock at Macduff between 8am and 4pm.
Critics claim that, as it is a tidal port, this move “effectively closes the harbour”.
But council chiefs are looking to save where they can, and are axing the service as the area is not “particularly vulnerable to crime”.
Local authority bosses also argue that the harbour has changed drastically since their introduction, saying there has been a “total loss” of cargo and a “substantial reduction” in fishing.
In total, ending the nightwatch service will pocket the council an extra £150,000 per year.
Why are there such concerns about the cut?
The saving scheme agreed at the budget meeting has been met with fierce backlash.
Troup councillor Ross Cassie slammed the proposal during the tense debate.
He pleaded: “This cut does not just effect the harbour, but the town of Macduff, its economy and beyond.
“Fish is still being landed at Macduff. Go through with this and all that stops.”
Mr Cassie also raised the prospect of “a crew member dying after falling into the water… as there is no longer the nightwatch”.
Macduff Shipyards boss wades into harbour cuts debate
The boss of Macduff Shipyards also sounded the alarm over plans to slash spending on the habour being a “backwards step”.
A message from John Watt was read out during the meeting, arguing that he has been trying to bring more vessels into the town.
He said: “If we lose the watchmen, we will also lose the fish landing we currently have.
“Macduff will cease to be a real port, can Macduff still be classed as a fishing toon?”
Could Macduff Harbour nightwatch service be saved?
But just one day after the brutal cuts were voted through, one administration councillor who voted for them seems to have had a change of heart.
Richard Menard, whose ward covers Macduff Harbour, spoke to The Press and Journal today.
Mr Menard said: “I was not happy with the decision. I made a representation within the group not to take it.
“To my mind it’s a bad move, I did say that to officers and other councillors but I’m only a small voice in a bigger machine.
“I understand the economics but there could have been other savings made rather than cutting the nightwatchmen.”
He also revealed that he has asked council officers to conduct a review into the possibility of saving the watchmen by finding cash elsewhere.
What do you think of the cuts to Macduff Harbour? Let us know in our comments section below
Councillor wants to ‘put politics aside’ to save harbour
Speaking after the twist in the tale, Troup councillor Mark Findlater said he is hoping to “put politics aside” and save the port.
Mr Findlater told The P&J: “Obviously I was hugely disappointed at yesterday’s budget decision on the removal of the nightwatchmen service at Macduff.
“It would be hugely detrimental to the future of the harbour.
“Hopefully common sense will prevail and the service will be retained.
“Me and Richard both agree that we want to put politics aside and retain the services, because at the end of the day we want to preserve the future of Macduff Harbour as a working commercial port.”
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