Seafarers Memorial: 'This is so poignant for the town of Wick'
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Members of the public admiring the Seafarers Memorial at the weekend described it as "fantastic" and "a wonderful tribute", with one saying: "It has brought a lump to my throat."
Rona Morrison said: "It's the herring industry and the sea that made Wick what it is, and it's the perfect spot for this sculpture overlooking the harbour. I think it's fantastic."
Linda Smith commented: "I think it's magnificent, I really do. It's a wonderful tribute and something that our community will treasure."
Allison Reid explained: "My whole family are fisher folk from generations gone by. Even though we never lost anybody at sea, this is so poignant for the town of Wick which was the herring capital.
"What they've done is amazing – it has brought a lump to my throat. There are children on it, there are all ages... it's just for everybody."
Her husband Sandy said: "I just think it's fantastic.
"It's long overdue, but it's great that so much work has been put into it and that we've got what we've got now. It's very fitting.
"I've done bits of research and it's shocking over the years, even since the Groat started [in 1836], how many people have been recorded as lost at sea – fishing boats, crews, ships being wrecked, kids being drowned – so it's fitting that there's something to memorialise them.
"I think they've chosen the location perfectly. It's an excellent piece of sculpture. The whole setting is superb."
He added: "Wickers around the world tend to be really proud of the place. A lot of Wickers have associations with the sea.
"A lot of my folk came in from the country and they were crofter-fishermen, so they've gone to the sea – maybe not from Wick harbour but from Keiss and Whaligoe, etc.
"I think certainly male Wickers of a certain age all love harbours and fishing boats."
Jimmy Durrand said: "I think it's magic. Whoever thought it up, whoever is responsible for it, they need to be congratulated and thanked.
"What did Wick have but fishing? Wick was famous for herring fishing."
