A former Aberdeen University professor tells us how picking up a paintbrush rescued his sanity

Ilove fish. In fact, I was lucky enough to enjoy a beautiful salmon fillet from Downies of Whitehills just last night, with some juicy prawns to boot. A lovely treat – and healthy too.

But how often do we stop to think about where our fish has come from – and who is involved in the process – especially in the north and north-east of Scotland, where the fishing industry has played such an integral role in communities for generations? Award-winning photographer Craig Easton has spent the last seven years capturing images of women in fishing for his new book, Fisherwomen, which is a tribute to the hardy ladies, both past and present, who have kept us supplied with tasty seafood.

From Shetland to Great Yarmouth, via Peterhead and Fraserburgh, Craig has collected some fantastic images for his book, along with many fascinating stories. And we have also been to Peterhead recently to hear from the ladies still working in fishing, to find out what it means to be a fisherwoman today. From the filleters on the floor to the technical account managers in the office, women are filling a diverse range of roles in today’s fishing industry, and all have a tale to tell. You can read about them on pages 4-7. I’m already wondering what’s for tea tonight...

Elsewhere, attentions are turning to Halloween next week, despite government restrictions. And just because guising won’t be happening on the same scale as usual, it doesn’t mean the kids can’t have fun dressing up. Take a look at our pick of the best outfits on pages 12-13. David Dalziel your life editor