A tribute to one of the north-east’s last traditional fishwives has been officially unveiled.
Isie Caie lived in Cove and would regularly walk six miles along the cliffs to Torry and into the city centre, carrying a creel of fish to sell.
It is said the basket was so heavy it would take two men just to lift it onto her back before she started her treacherous commute.
She was still selling fish in the market at the Green in the 1960s, before she died in 1966 and was buried in Nigg Kirkyard.
In 2013, community group Cove in Bloom began fundraising for a statue in her honour, serving as a permanent reminder of the suburb’s fishing heritage.
Last summer, Brazilian sculptor, Albertino Costa, was commissioned to create the piece, which transformed from a statue into a more abstract sculpture, chiselling it from a large chunk of marble.
After receiving help with carving and polishing from local schoolchildren, it was lowered into place in Burnstane Terrace, overlooking Cove Harbour, last month.
Following some finishing touches at the site, it was officially unveiled yesterday by Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Barney Crockett.
Mr Costa said: “It was a great community process and people helped me out in many ways.
“A lot of people participated from the very beginning with the design and coming up with ideas.
“Some helped by doing work on the sculpture, and others visited me to tell me stories about Isie Caie.
“I am so happy that it has been appreciated and so many people got involved.”
