A 19th century Fifie Sailing Herring Drifter and a ‘rare survivor’ of the golden age of sail will make her maiden voyage to return to the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy, Scotland on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July 2023.
Following long and expensive restoration works, and thanks to the festival’s maritime sponsor, Glenglassaugh Distillery, the iconic Reaper, will be one of the flagship vessels attending the 30th anniversary of the maritime event. Around 15,000 visitors are expected to attend over the two days, to see the finest historic fishing fleet drop anchor in Portsoy, alongside a medley of music and dance, local food and drink and unique Scottish handcrafted items and gifts.
Built in 1902 by J&G Forbes in Sandhaven, Fraserburgh, Reaper began life as a two-masted sailing lugger. At 70ft long, she was used for drift net and great line fishing and in the 1930s, held the record catch of herring in Shetland, some 223 crans, nearly 250,000 fish. Owned by the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, Reaper will mark her 120-year anniversary this year and through careful conservation and care, is one of the few vessels in the UK’s National Historic Fleet which is still in seagoing condition.
Also attending the festival from the Scottish Fisheries Museum is White Wing, a 33ft Baldie, which is a variety of the Fifie lugsail design. Built in 1917 for John Ritchie of Whitehills in Banffshire.
Entry to the festival is discounted when purchased in advance online, for a day festival pass the prices are £15.30 for an adult, £9.90 concession and £6.30 for a child. Alternatively, a family day pass can be purchased for £35.10, or an adult weekend pass is £19.80. A weekend family pass, for access to the festival on Saturday and Sunday is £45.00.
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