A book treasured by seamen, divers, walkers and local heritage enthusiasts has been reprinted to raise money for the Mearns museum its author helped set up.
Gourdon man Roy Souter wrote A Wild and Rocky Coast in 1988, giving readers an insight into the rich maritime heritage of Kincardineshire.
Meticulously handwritten, the book provides detailed accounts of shipwrecks, tragedies and rescues, as well as an insight into the coastal communities who depended on sea as a way of life.
Mr Souter, who died last year aged 89, was a former fisherman and was among the founders of the village’s Maggie Law Maritime Museum, using his knowledge and enthusiasm to bring to life the maritime heritage of the area.
And now, after repeated requests for his book, the museum has teamed up with Stonehaven Heritage Society to have it reprinted. Photographs taken by members of the Mearns Camera Club of the stormy scenes at Stonehaven harbour from 2012 have been included in the second edition.
Dave Ramsay, project director, said: “This is a tremendous way to celebrate the work of Roy and his family, who have contributed so much to the heritage of Gourdon and Kincardineshire.
“It was first printed in 1988 and is a unique wee book.
“There are so many different groups with an interest in it – from lifesavers to a group of divers who have been to the sites Roy mentioned in his book, to photographers and walkers.”
Earlier this year, an area of the museum was dedicated to Mr Souter and his heritage work by Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire Carol Kinghorn, who also attended the book launch.
A total of 500 copies were printed, and already about a hundred have been snapped up since Saturday.
Mr Souter’s daughter, Elma Johnstone, said the family were delighted the book had been reprinted but said she was sorry her brother Jack had died before he could see the project completed.
She said: “We are very proud of the efforts that have gone into republishing A Wild and Rocky Coast in its original format. This is especially poignant for us all, as Jack had intended writing the foreword to the new edition, but unfortunately died in May this year.”
Profits from the book will go to the museum, which opened in 1997 to provide a permanent home for the 1890-built inshore lifeboat the Maggie Law.