Old fishing boat photo nets fond family memories for Alice
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AN old photo in the Advertiser's Window on the Past feature has stirred family memories for one Buckie reader.
In the August 29 edition of the paper, one of the photos featured was a colour snap of a fishing vessel moored at Buckie Harbour. which was to prove instantly recognisable to Alice Cowie.
She said: "The boat pictured is my grandfather’s boat the BCK 45 Girl Mary.
"He was John Cowie, formerly of Kelvin Grove, South Pringle Street, Buckie and was the skipper of the boat.
"My grandfather on landing would give boxes of free fish to the less fortunate of the town as they awaited at the pier. It was the best fish and prawns of the catch they got.
"John was a lovely Christian man, attending the Methodist Church along with his wife Maggie. In days gone by a family paid for a pew and a nameplate was put at the aisle end. I recall seeing the Cowie nameplate. The poor got disadvantaged seats. In the bible however all men were created in his image, one was better than the other be it King or Queen, etc.
"Grandad loved to fish on the River Spey and would either give the salmon to a hotel or keep it. He also loved cruises. He was blessed with doing two world cruises."
The Girl Mary continued to provide happy memories for the Cowies even after she finished her career as a fishing vessel.
Ms Cowie recalled: "My sister and I got the wheel house and crew area (in picture at back).
"It was taken by crane from Buckie Shipyard to Portgordon where I resided then. My sister and I had lovely times playing in the wheelhouse in our back garden. I had the upper part and my sister Elizabeth the lower.
"The boat is decommissioned now sailing round Ireland as a holiday boat taking tourists round the island.
"My dad Alex Cowie got the wheel from the fishing boat and made it into a lovely coffee table which I have. I also have the name plate that was fixed to the boat naming Macduff shipyard as the builder."
If you have any old photos from Buckie or the surrounding area dating up to 2000 which you would like to share, send them to mail@banffshireadvertiser.co.uk
Also, if you recognise any of the people captured in Window on the Past pictures or can shed light on the events shown, please get in touch via the above email address.
