A court battle has begun over the future of an historic Aberdeen Harbour.
Fishermen have used the small bay in Cove Harbour since the nineteenth century but Pralhad Kolhe, who bought a house overlooking the site, wants them to remove their boats from the area.
He first made this request in 2014 and yesterday the case called at Aberdeen Civil Court.
Jim Adam, the chairman of the Cove Fishermen’s Association, which represents the group of around ten affected, gave evidence on his long history at the bay.
He said he moved to the Cove area in 1955 at the age of five and got his own boat at the age of 16 and now fishes every day in his retirement.
Solicitor Malcolm Mackay, representing the fishermen, asked him if he ever paid any money or asked permission to fish at the site.
Mr Adam replied: “No.”
Mr Mackay replied: “You did not pay any dues?”
He said: “No.”
After this Mr Adam went on to describe how along with fellow fishermen he had carried out an extensive clean up after the area had been hit by storms in 2013.
Mr Mackay asked him: “Have you ever met Mr Kolhe?”
He said: “No.”
Despite having never met him he said he received a letter from Mr Kolhe in 2014 while he was abroad in the United States asking him to get his boat out of the area within 14 days.
Later in the day he was questioned by lawyer Robert Sutherland, representing Mr Kohle, who asked him: “Do you accept the harbour including the pier is private property?”
He replied: “Well so I’m told.”
Following this Mr Sutherland went on to ask him about the clean-up operation carried out in 2013.
Mr Adam replied: “Did you know whether or not you spoke to Mr Kolhe to tell him what you were going to do?”
He replied that he “did not feel it was necessary” and that he was just being a “good neighbour”.
Mr Sutherland then asked: “Would a good neighbour not speak to the owner first and tell them what they are going to do?”
He replied: “I did not think it was necessary, I did not understand why it would be a problem.”
The hearing, before Sheriff Andrew Miller, continues.
