A 50-strong flotilla will sail down the Forth to celebrate the Scottish Fisheries Museum’s half century.
At its helm will be its flagship Reaper, returning to its home port after restoration in Rosyth.
The 1902 Reaper, owned and operated by the Anstruther museum, has been undergoing major restoration work since last year.
The maintenance had been planned for some time and will ensure the herring drifter remains shipshape for her role as a floating museum which visits other ports on cultural tours.
The project, involving the fisheries museum, Rosyth dockyard owners Babcock and the Scottish Government, became all the more pressing when Reaper was damaged in August 2016 as she was visiting the Johnshaven Fish Festival.
Just before opening to festival visitors, a sudden gust of wind resulted in the boat toppling over, damaging her hull.
Before being righted, the rising tide led to Reaper taking in water, and it was 48 hours before she was pumped out and back on an even keel.
She will arrive back in Anstruther in time to launch the 50th anniversary celebrations at the museum on July 4.
The venue first opened its doors on July 4 1969. Opened by documentary maker, Dr John Grierson, it set out to celebrate the rich heritage of Scotland’s fishing industry.
Anstruther was chosen as the location as it was, at one point Scotland’s most thriving fishing port.
At the time it was established, the fishing business in Anstruther was starting to dwindle and there was concern that the way of life would disappear without any trace or recognition.
AT times, being based in Anstruther make it more difficult for the museum to be recognised on a national scale.
However, in recent years the venue, operated by an independent charitable trust, has become part of a partnership of national industrial museums in Scotland.
Its collections are formally recognised as being of national significance by the Scottish Government.
Events officer Andrea Elder said the team were planning to mark the 50th anniversary with a large programme of events.
“It will help us thank the local community, fisherman from around Scotland and of course the volunteers and staff that have kept the museum running over the last 50 years and helped us draw visitors from all over the world,” she said.
The events will run until July 2020 and will also look forward to the future of the museum, Anstruther and the fishing industry.
