The new gates at St Andrews Harbour have been officially more than a year on from a storm which catastrophically destroyed their predecessors.
The chairman of St Andrews Harbour Trust, Andrew Lumsden, was joined by other guests for the special occasion.
Welcoming the gathered crowd, Mr Lumsden noted the vital part the gates play in operations at the harbour protecting vessels and also controlling the accumulation of silt and sand that would otherwise render the harbour unusable.
Mr Lumsden said: “The replacing of the gates came as an unexpected challenge for the trust but, with the support of many, much has been accomplished.
“The trust now looks forward to bringing about further improvements to the harbour that will see new facilities and opportunities for all, while protecting its historical importance.”
The 200-year-old six-tonne sluice gates were ripped from their hinges shortly after high tide one night last October, causing a torrent of flood water to surge into the outer harbour.
After a campaign successfully raised over £100,000 through donations from individuals and charitable and Government organisations, contracts were placed for the manufacture and installation of the replacement gates by Walter Macfarlane & Co (Glasgow).
St Andrews Harbour Trust said that in designing the new gates due regard has been given to the listed status of much of the fabric of the historic medieval harbour.
The opening of the new gates was performed by Maries Cassells, a founding member of the St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation, who have been generous supporters of the harbour for many years.
Trustee Cameron Rae said: “As the harbour trust looks forward to the use of the new gates by generations to come, it was fitting that the opening was heralded in by the sounding of a horn by the youngest guest present Sarah Wares of Canongate Primary School.”