Villagers in a Moray port are finalising plans for a celebration of the seafaring heroes who helped people escape from Nazi occupation during World War II.
In 1942 and 1943 Burghead served as a clandestine base to transport agents and supplies to Norway, and to help individuals lee from German rule.
The project was part of the “Shetland Bus” operations run mainly between the northern isles and the Scandinavian nation.
Though details of the secret voyages remain uncertain, it is known that one journey in 1943 ended when a boat leaving Burghead was struck by enemy fire and eight Norwegian men were killed.
Now plans have been laid for a lasting memorial to be erected in tribute to those who died in the efforts, and have planned a day of events to mark its unveiling next month.
As the date approaches, they have reached out to the families of the Norwegian sailors who died in the port tragedy to attend the “once in a lifetime” event.
Organiser Joan Megson said: “We first started researching this project over a year ago, and we discovered the names of the Norwegian men who were based here and died.
“A few months ago we decided to try and get as many relatives over for the event as we could.
“We spread word across Norway on Facebook, and contacted all the local shires there asking for names and addresses.
“We are thrilled we’ve heard back from quite a few who are coming over.
“This really is a once in a lifetime happening, it’s the first time these men have been honoured since World War II.”
The closest relative to confirm his attendance is 78-year-old Eldre Bjorn Grotle, whose older brother Ola was killed.
He was one of many Norwegians who fled their homeland when it fell under Nazi control, and once in the UK he dedicated himself to helping others escape.
He became a key figure in the Shetland Bus project, making more than a dozen journeys to Norway and back during the war.
But on January 7, 1943, tragedy struck at Burghead Bay when his boat was sunk by enemy fire.
The bodies of the eight Norwegians have never been recovered.
A propeller from the sunken vessel has been fixed to a memorial stone at the harbour as a poignant reminder of the men who died and will be unveiled on Sunday, August 23.