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 today (Thurs, Sept 3).

Merchant Navy Day is celebrated annually 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 local councillors and officers, together with Mike Newlands, Minister of Fraserburgh & District Parish, along with representatives from Fraserburgh’s Lifeboat, Mission, Sea Cadets, The Salvation Army, Seafit, Fraserburgh Harbour Master and Commissioners, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and Moray East.

Gabriel Watt of Fraserburgh RBL Pipe Band played at the ceremony, with Sarah-Jane Urmston of the Salvation Army performing the Last Post as the flag was raised by Louise Runcie of Fraserburgh Sea Cadets.

Addressing those gathered, Cllr Doreen Mair, chair of the council’s Banff and Buchan Area Committee, said: “Today we are hoisting the Red Ensign to mark Merchant Navy Day and acknowledge the invisible service – the workforce of the oceans and seas of our world. Just as during the World Wars, 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 they therefore play a huge and crucial part in our economic success, sustainability and security.  

“Regrettably, it is only during times of war that the service enters our consciousness, however in the world we now live in this is highlighted today with seafarers running the gauntlet in the Straits of Hormuz and other areas of unrest in the world.

"They not only face the dangers of the deep and of nature, but man-made dangers too. This is our one opportunity to show our seafarers how much we value them, past and present, and also their families. They sacrifice much with extended separations from loved ones to serve our country.

“In Fraserburgh and around the north-east coast the importance of the seas to our communities and the safety of those who sail on them are very much to the forefront of our thoughts and deeply embedded in everyday 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.
It is also important to acknowledge that 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.”