Families of fishermen and lifeboatmen lost at sea gathered to remember their loved ones in Anstruther.
The Scottish Fisheries Museum’s annual remembrance service coincides with the anniversary of the loss of local vessel The Meridian, which went missing in the North Sea in 2006.
The whole crew died. They were 49-year-old skipper Martin Gardner, Edward Gardner, 50, and Ian Donald, 55, all from Fife, and Sidney Low, 52, from Aberdeen.
Peter Donald from the Fishermen’s Mission said: “Bereaved families usually have a grave to visit where they may feel closer to their departed ones, but for those lost at sea there is no such focal gathering point.
“The annual service is an opportunity for their families to join with others who grieve in the same way, and to honour the memories of those who have been so cruelly snatched away in such tragic circumstances.”
The event was organised by the Fishermen’s Mission, Scottish Fisheries Museum and Anstruther Lifeboat Station. This year there were additional contributions from the British Legion and the descendents of William Runciman, who died at sea 250 years ago. The Legion rededicated its memorial, which has been placed close to the Museum memorial room.
Meanwhile, Alan Runciman from Ayr remembered his great-great-great-great-grandfather, whose vessel was wrecked as it was leaving Crail harbour.
The tragedy claimed the lives of all eight on board on January 21 1765 and left 30 children fatherless.
William Runciman, who was 36, had six children and they were orphaned as a result of the disaster. He had been married and widowed twice.
Alan Runciman, 69, said: “I’m honoured to have been asked to participate in this memorial.
“William seems to have been pretty dedicated to fishing and the local community, from evidence in the records.”
This year descendants set up a memorial bench at Crail harbour and a wreath was cast into the sea.
Photo by George McLuskie