Aberdeenshire Council raises the Red Ensign at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh

The brave men and women who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars have been remembered with the raising of the Red Ensign in Fraserburgh.

Aberdeenshire Council was honoured to raise the Red Ensign – affectionately known as the ‘Red Duster’ – at Saltoun Square earlier today (Wed, Sept 3).

Merchant Navy Day is celebrated in September and also provides an opportunity to celebrate our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK's imports, including half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted.

Attending the poignant event were councillors together with representatives from Fraserburgh’s Lifeboat, Mission, Sea Cadets, Fraserburgh Harbour Master and Commissioners, fishing organisations and The Salvation Army. 

Chair of the council’s Banff and Buchan Area Committee, Cllr Doreen Mair, addressed those present ahead of the flag raising which was undertaken by vice-chair and former merchant seaman Cllr Richard Menard.

Gabriel Watt of Fraserburgh RBL Pipe Band played ahead of the flag raising while Sarah-Jane Urmston of the Salvation Army performed the Last Post.

Cllr Mair said: “Eighty years on from the end of the Second World War we are flying the Red Ensign to mark Merchant Navy Day and acknowledge the ‘invisible service’. Just as then, the Merchant Navy today is critical to the survival and prosperity of our islands. There are approximately 24,000 men and women working at sea from our shores, carrying over 95% of our island nation’s trade and therefore play a huge part in our economic success, sustainability and security.  

“Regrettably, it is only during times of war that the service enters our consciousness, and this is highlighted today with seafarers running the gauntlet in the Red Sea and other areas of unrest in the world. This is our one opportunity to show our seafarers how much we value them, past and present, as well as their families, they sacrifice much with extended separations from loved ones to serve our country.

“In Fraserburgh the importance of the sea to our community and the safety of those who sail on it is very much to the forefront of our thoughts and deeply embedded in our day to day lives. I ask you all to support the campaign by The Seafarers’ Charity to remember the sacrifices of those seafarers of the past, salute their courage and acknowledge the contribution of those present and future personnel of the Merchant Navy throughout the seas and oceans.

"Our food security is of a huge importance in today’s troubled world too and this service’s personnel, especially in our fishing ports, do and will help to deliver that. By raising the Red Ensign today, or Red Duster as it is affectionately known, we will ensure that at least, on this and the following days, they are remembered and saluted.”