A Moray man has issued a last-minute plea find a new home for an old fishing boat after the council ordered him to move it or lose it.
David Meldrum was part of a group which salvaged the 20-tonne vessel from Burghead Harbour after it ran aground in the 1980s.
Following the recovery, Mr Meldrum claimed the Harvest Reaper as a retirement project, but, 30 years on, the 67-year-old has never stopped working, and the boat has lain untouched.
Moray Council is now embarking on a £250,000 development project on the quayside and the boat is in the way.
Harbour bosses have ordered Mr Meldrum to find a new location for the Harvest Reaper immediately – or see it destroyed.
In a letter from the council, he has been advised to: “Arrange the removal of the boat as soon as possible” or “Leave the boat for us to crush and remove, with all costs for your account”.
Mr Meldrum, of Lossiemouth, said it would be a real shame to see the vessel wrecked after all this time.
“She was a fishing boat, I still remember salvaging her,” he said.
“We managed to get her into the harbour, but she was taking on a lot of water, and she was in a very tricky place.
“There was a great big crowd watching. It was a real show.
“It was supposed to be a project for me when I retired, but I’m 67 and I’m still working, so we need someone to take it.
“It’s free to anyone who wants it. It’s a good hull, and inside is good, it would be a great project for anyone to take on.
“It’s just a case of moving it with a crane and a lorry. It has to be as soon though, or the only other option is to crush it – I’ve been paying dues on her all these years, and that would be a real shame.”
A Moray Council spokesman said the authority was investing £250,000 on upgrading two existing storage units/workshops on the quayside and building two more.
“This will result in an improvement in facilities for local harbour users and encourage diversification in harbour-related activities,” he added.
“The existing units, which are 20 to 25 years old, have electricity but they will be upgraded to have a water supply.
“Work is due to get underway this week and should be completed by May. All four units will be leased.”
Anyone interested in the boat is asked to contact David Meldrum at 1 Paradise Row, Lossiemouth, IV31 6QU.