The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fest brought sea past to life
Today’s main picture revives memories of the popular maritime and food extravaganza that was staged annually in Angus for more than two decades.
Started in 1996, Arbroath Sea Fest welcomed scores of visitors to the town’s harbour for 21 years, until organisers decided to call time on the fundraising event in 2017 on economic grounds.
Referring to the massive replica warship shown in his colourful photo – complete with miniature figures and aircraft – Carnoustie man Ian Wallace explains: “This 31 foot-long model of HMS Invincible on display at the Arbroath Sea Fest 2005 was a very popular attraction.
“The model was built at the behest of our Royal Navy and it was successfully used as a recruitment tool prior to the class of aircraft carriers actually being built in the ’70s
“The model was to be scrapped, but was purchased by a Duncan Cameron from Scotland who toured around showing the model off at various exhibitions and events such as this.
“The model was actually able to sail on water. Weighing in at 1.2 tons, it used a fivehorsepower outboard motor and was able to carry two passengers fore and aft.
“One can see model Sea King helicopters on the deck, and on the right the famous Fairey Sword Fish biplane used by the Royal Navy, known affectionately as the Stringbag.
“That plane carried out many successful operations during the Second World War, which included the attack on the Italian fleet berthed in Taranto, and successfully attacked the Bismarck in the Atlantic where a torpedo dropped hit Bismarck’s rudder which became fixed so the battleship was only able to circle.
“The Stringbags in the air were very slow which, remarkably, made them difficult to shoot down by the Germans from the Bismarck as their guns had been calibrated to shoot down fast aircraft.”
Mr Wallace ends: “The model was one of the most popular attractions on the shore that weekend. I have no idea who the young lad was who was keen to be in the photo.”