The new owner of a historic Arbroath fishing trawler has discovered its love boat past in a steamy seafaring flick.
More than six decades after being launched as the Murella from the slip of famous town boatbuilder Gerrards, the boat is now being toured by its current owner David McDermott.
David is delighted with the second addition to his fleet and the history of the boat which has surfaced since he bought it.
The captain’s log revealed the vessel’s big screen role as the setting for a racy scene involving star Greta Scacchi in a maritime-themed 1990s romantic drama in which she appeared opposite her then-lover Vincent D’Onofrio.
Salt on Our Skin was released in 1992, casting the Emmy award-winning Italian in the role of a Parisian woman captivated by a Scots fisherman and charting their passionate encounters over 30 years.
The unusual addition to the story of the boat is the latest layer of a remarkable history for the craft, which is thought to be the finest remaining example of her type.
Still powered by the original Gardner diesel engine installed at the Arbroath yard, the Murella was then named Ardgour, before becoming Nimrod for a new lease of life off the Sutherland coast, where its role warning other boats from straying into the waters of the Cape Wrath bombing ranges.
Bad weather scuppered a planned return to Arbroath from the west of Scotland.
“We were sorry that we weren’t able to come into Arbroath on our way home, but there has been a lot of interest in her,” said David.
Arbroath Signal Tower museum staff contacted David and wife, Anne to let them know that the seafront attraction has the completion certificate for the Murella, and the boat’s original bow plate is in the Anstruther fishing museum.
“We’ll take a photo of that and my plan is to return the boat to her original name,” said David.
“On the way home we discovered our decks were leaking so we are going to try and rig up a cover for winter and start work on her in the summer.
“If anyone wants to help out we would be delighted to cover their expenses and food, and the accommodation is fine aboard the boat too.
“We will definitely be visiting Arbroath and will get a few jobs done so she is looking really good for coming back.
“We are very proud to have the chance to preserve the last of her type, it’s a lot of responsibility but she is a beautiful boat and we are delighted to have her,” said David.
