A historic Angus fishing boat has been named Regional Flagship for Scotland 2019.
Isabella Fortuna was built in 1890 and fished by three generations of the Smith family in Arbroath for 86 years.
The single-deck 43ft Fifie was built by James Weir, of Weirs of Arbroath, and is one of just 212 vessels left on the National Register of Historic Vessels.
Dedicated volunteers at the Wick Society bought it in 1997 to host regular public events celebrating their Highland town’s fishing heritage.
A spokesman for National Historic Ships UK said the award “recognised the role she plays within the local community and the events the team have planned throughout the season”.
“These include attendance at the Portsoy Boat Festival, events organised by the Wick Society, the Wick and Scrabster RNLI days and the Caithness Vintage Car Rally.”
Isabella Fortuna featured on the BBC Songs of Praise programme from Caithness and took part in the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy.
It is normally berthed in Wick Harbour but during the winter is housed in the old lifeboat shed on the south shore of Wick Bay for maintenance.
It’s voluntary crew ports for festivals and other events and promotes the aims and purposes of the Wick Society.
Edwardian paddle-steamer Kingswear Castle, the only operational coal-fired paddle steamer in the UK, and a Victorian sailing barge, Kitty, also won the Regional Flagship awards.
The Kingswear Castle, built in 1924 and based in Dartmouth, Devon, was used during the Second World War by the Admiralty as a stores depot in Dittisham.
It was then chartered by the United States Navy as a liberty ship in 1941, carrying personnel and stores at Dartmouth, still in its peacetime livery.
Kitty, one of the oldest spritsail barges still in commission, launched in 1895 and is based in Maldon, Essex.
In the First World War it transported coke and stores to Calais and Boulogne for the army.
It still has its original 16-inch square pine 70ft keelson and its decks are of pitch pine and opepe.
Hannah Cunliffe, director of National Historic Ships UK, said: “I am delighted that we are able to offer these awards once more and publicise the range of activities and the cruising programmes of these vessels in the coming season.
“Our three Regional Flagships have all shown their enthusiasm for raising the profile of UK maritime heritage and we look forward to working closely with them in the months ahead.
“The award criteria requires vessel owners to come forward with seasonal programmes to engage the public through festivals, demonstrations, on-board cruises, quayside visits, educational programmes, participation in races and similar activities.”
