An Aberdeen fishing community hopes an online campaign will net cash for legal fees in its battle over access to Cove Harbour.
Internet campaign group 38 Degrees has already raised more than 11,000 signatures in support of local fishermen embroiled in a long-running dispute to continue fishing from the historic bay.
Now, the online crusaders are urging those who signed the online petition to “chip in” to help raise £5,000 to help fund the group’s legal fees.
Landowner and consultant plastic surgeon Pralhad Kolhe first ordered the fishermen to remove their boats from the bay back in 2014.
The battle escalated when Mr Kolhe, who lives in a large white house overlooking the harbour, issued a further eviction order and placed four obstructive boulders to block vehicular access to the pier.
The fishermen now have until August 18 to submit a legal case for keeping their boats at the harbour.
The 38 Degrees website describes the situation as a “real David and Goliath fight”.
The online appeal states: “The fishermen have been using the bay for centuries, but like most fishing communities in Scotland, the folk at Cove Harbour don’t have huge cash reserves.
“Without any support they will be left to fight in court alone.
“But between us we can help fund their legal fees and make sure their case is heard properly.”
Yesterday Jim Adam, a Cove resident whose family has fished from the bay for decades, welcomed the move.
He said: “Anything would be a big help because the legal fees are astronomical.”
He added: “The fishermen are determined to preserve the fishing heritage of the village and to maintain the unhindered access to the harbour they and many others have enjoyed over the years.”
A hearing into the case is expected to be held at the city’s sheriff court towards the end of August, although a date has yet to be set.
Mr Adam said around eight fishermen are still fishing from the bay.
He added: “The boulders are still in place so it is more difficult than it needs to be to be but most of the boats are still actually working, albeit with a bit of hassle.”
