Seafarers Memorial: King will be told about 'magnificent' statue in Wick
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The King will be informed about the "simply magnificent" Seafarers Memorial in Wick, invited guests and members of the public heard during Saturday's unveiling ceremony at the Braehead.
Lord Thurso, the Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, acknowledged the leadership shown by his Vice-Lieutenant Willie Watt in his role as chairman of the Seafarers Memorial Group, as well as praising the artistic skills of sculptor Alan Beattie Herriot.
"It's a great pleasure and honour to be here as His Majesty's representative on this extraordinary occasion at the unveiling of this simply magnificent memorial," Lord Thurso said.
"The sea has always been at the heart of the Wick community. I remember, as a small boy, my mother telling me stories of her childhood here in Wick in the early ’20s when there were fishing boats jammed together from end to end, cooperage works, ropeworks and all of the other things that went on.
"And that has given way through the years to higher technology, to oil workers, and now to pleasure craft, but always the sea here in the heart of Wick. And sadly – as this magnificent statue so wonderfully demonstrates – what the sea can give, the sea can take away.
"I think Alan has captured that magnificently."
He said the face of the male figure representing the sea could be that of "any young Wicker or indeed anybody from Port Vasgo on one end to Portmahomack on the other end who has been lost at sea".
Lord Thurso went on: "That we now have this tremendous memorial, wonderfully sculpted and in this superb setting, has been down to the work of many people – not least, and in the leadership role, Willie Watt. And that doesn't surprise me. As my Vice, I always turn to him to get things done.
"Indeed last year, when His Majesty visited the Pilot House, he was accompanied by Willie who told him a great deal about what was going to be here. And I shall have the greatest pleasure in reporting to His Majesty what has been achieved. It's simply magnificent.
"But also all the other members of the group, and all the people who have contributed, and the great contribution of the community itself.
"It is absolutely right and fitting that this memorial be here looking out across the bay behind me, and I imagine you can see it from the other side of the bay. And when it is lit up, boats coming in will see it.
"The sea has been good to us, but the sea has exacted its revenge from time to time.
"In gratitude for all that has been done by those to create this memorial, in gratitude on behalf of His Majesty and in your name, and in gratitude to all who were lost at sea, I salute the fallen."
