A rare nineteenth century fishing vessel defied the scrap heap to sail along Burghead Harbour yesterday – with a little help from a giant crane.
The neglected Harvest Reaper caused uproar in the coastal town of Burghead last week after Moray Council ordered it to be moved or scrapped.
The trawler been stationary on the quayside since it ran aground in the 1980s and faced being crushed to allow Moray Council to begin work on a £250,000 harbour-front development.
However, when plumber Jimmy Wiseman stepped in with a pledge to preserve it the community rallied round to save it from destruction.
Last night, The Burghead Headland Trust commissioned a Macduff Shipyards crane and a low loader from Billy Miller Contractor and Plant Hire to move the boat and protect its immediate future.
As the light faded around 4pm, a small crowd gathered to watch as the crane hoisted the boat high above the pier.
It took just 90 minutes for the dilapidates trawler to be transported to its new home.
Dan Ralph, a Burghead Headland Trustee, said he was delighted she was finally safe.
He added: “She sailed her last voyage uneventfully, and now there will be some meetings to discuss if this will be her permanent site.
“In my opinion, she will not go to sea again, but she will be preserved as a part of our fishing heritage for the public to admire. ”
Councillor Chris Tuke, Heldon and Laich, is a resident of Burghead, and watched the move unfold.
He said: “Everything seemed to go well. It lifted in one piece, which surprised me.
“This is a quick fix, and we will have to wait and see what the future holds.”
Onlooker Alastair Fraser came from Cummingston to see the spectacle.
He said: “I was quite surprised how the boat stood up to the lift, and it was very successful and very efficient. The whole thing took little more than an hour. It was amazing.”
A spokeswoman for Burghead Headland Trust said: “Burghead Headland Trust has taken responsibility for the immediate problem of the rescue of the Harvest Reaper from demolition.
“We are prepared to pay the cost of moving her to her new position further along the south pier at Burghead Harbour.
“However, we are not undertaking the conservation or restoration of the boat. That is up to the people of Burghead and the owner of the boat, David Meldrum.”