A poignant memorial to fishermen who lost their lives at sea was unveiled in a north-east village by Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, yesterday.
The Duke, who carries out royal duties on behalf of his cousin Queen Elizabeth II, visited Whitehills to lift the curtain on the statue.
The memorial – a statue of a broken mast – was designed to be a place where bereaved families of any lost souls can visit and remembered their loved ones. No names appear on the statue.
Dozens of local people, school children and north-east dignitaries greeted Prince Edward at the site near Whitehills harbour.
Speaking to the gathered crowd, Superintendent Miriam Kemp from the Fisherman’s Mission said: “We’re here to remember those lost at sea. In many cases there is no body to mourn to bring closure to the families.
“The loss of life at sea has an impact that lasts for a lifetime and beyond. This coastline, its villages and towns, has for generations seen it’s working men face danger and loss of life to bring in the harvest of the sea.
“This memorial has been erected to remind us of the high price we pay for the goods we consume each day here in the UK.”
During his tour of the Banffshire coast, the Duke of Kent also formally opened The Boatshed traditional boat building workshop in nearby Portsoy.
He met with senior officials from Aberdeenshire Council as well as students from Banff Academy who have used the workshop.
Roger Goodyear, chairman of the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership, led the Duke on his tour of The Boatshed.
He said: “It’s terrific to have a royal visitor, and it makes these unveilings more of a special occasion.”
