More than 30,000 people lapped up two days of fabulous attractions, performances and displays in Arbroath’s Sea Fest maritime heritage celebration at the weekend.
An array of local food, produce and specialist seafood was on offer, in addition to music and entertainment in a number of the town’s pubs.
The highlight of the entertainment was the Xtreme Action freestyle jet-ski team performing daredevil stunts on the river.
Somersaults, backflips and barrel rolls provided the wow factor and it was not surprising to find the team is made up of UK, European and World Champion riders.
Alistair Martin, chairman of the Arbroath Sea Fest Committee, said: “This is the 15th year of Sea Fest and, over the years, it has grown and grown until it’s now considered one of the biggest events on the east coast of Scotland.
“Yet again, I am amazed by the exceptional turnout, with people here from all over the UK and beyond. It’s phenomenal how successful Arbroath Sea Fest has become.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in Arbroath Sea Fest 2011, including the hard-working volunteer committee who are behind this annual event, the performers who provide such wonderful entertainment throughout the weekend, Eleanor Whitby and her crew from Red Pepper Events, Angus Council and all the volunteers who help out before, during and after the event, such as Arbroath Rugby Cub, the crew of Arbroath lifeboat and the air cadets.
“I’d also like to say a very special thanks to everyone who has come along to Sea Fest this year and, of course, to the people of Arbroath for their enthusiasm and support for Sea Fest.”
In recognition of the town’s strong connection with the fishing industry, several grand old ladies of the sea were the centre of attention in the marina.
Two restored 1947 fishing boats from the North East Maritime Trust Favourite and Rachel Douglas provided a glimpse into the working lives of fishermen in the past.
Spider T, the 1926 “super sloop” runner-up in the 2011 National Historic Ships Flagship of the Year award also made an eagerly-awaited return to Sea Fest and, on Sunday morning, Reaper, the Scottish Fisheries Museum Boats Club’s 109-year-old herring drifter, sailed into Arbroath Harbour.
Another historical treasure on show at Sea Fest was Strathmore Vintage Vehicle Club’s replica of the sling cart which carried the stones that built the Bell Rock Lighthouse.
Alongside the sling cart was a glass-fibre, actual-size model of Bassey, the horse who hauled the sling cart to and from the harbour during the construction of the lighthouse a little over two centuries ago.
Sea Fest went back even further in time when Ralph The Rover and his marauding band of pirates appeared on the quayside. The medieval buccaneers spent time up to no good in Ralph The Rover’s Tavern on Beacon Green, where they had a good view of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, which marks the site of Ralph’s demise.
Lynn Cameron of Arbroath Sea Fest Committee said: “We’d also like to thank everyone who travelled by sea to participate in Arbroath Sea Fest 2011, especially the Scottish Fisheries Museum Boats Club, who sailed their 109-year-old herring drifter, the Reaper, to Arbroath from Anstruther; North East Maritime Trust, here for the first time with their 1940s fishing boats, Favourite and Rachel Douglas; and the crew of Spider T.
“Sea Fest is all about commemorating the maritime heritage of Arbroath and we were very privileged to be joined by four vessels which are extremely worthy examples of historic boats.”
The entertainment included RNLI demonstrations, a performance by dancers from Showcase The Street and a country dancing demonstration on a boat in the harbour by the East Angus Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
There were also demonstrations by chainsaw sculptor Gary Shand and a chance to hear Pipe Major Stephen Russell of Arbroath British Legion Pipe Band play The Year of the Light, which he composed in honour of the 200th anniversary of the lighthouse.