A Brazilian sculptor has been commissioned to create a marble monument honouring the rich fishing heritage of an Aberdeen community.
The Cove in Bloom group, which has helped the coastal community win the Beautiful Scotland silver award for the last three years, has hired Albertino Costa to craft a work commemorating the life of Isie Caie, the last traditional fishwife of Cove Bay.
The sculpture – which is being designed to represent the impact the fishing industry had on the lives of generations of Cove residents – will be situated at Cove Harbour, which is currently the site of a controversial battle between a group of fishermen and a landowner who is attempting to evict them.
Pralhad Kolhe – who owns the white house above the historic port and parts of the surrounding land – last year ordered the owners of the around 10 vessels to remove their boats from the natural harbour, where fishermen have berthed for decades.
He is due to meet the Cove Fishermen’s Association in court next month over the issue.
But Mr Kolhe has given the Cove in Bloom group his full backing to move forward with Mr Costa’s sculpture, and has granted permission for work to begin.
Mr Costa said: “We have placed the stone down at the harbour already, and we are ready to start next Tuesday.
“I understand there has been some history with the landowner and the fishermen, but I’m just here to work with the community on this sculpture and invite everyone to come along and help and learn about the project.
“I’ve already had a lot of interest so far.
“I’m going to be there twice a week or so for the next year with my own mobile coffee bar, and everyone is welcome to join me.”
Wendy Suttar of Cove in Bloom said: “Isie Caie was still selling fish at the market in the Green in Aberdeen in the 1960s.
“She used to walk six miles from Cove to Aberdeen carrying a creel of fish, and we think the spirit of Isie’s story and what it represents is something well worth remembering.
“The residents of Cove will hopefully get involved in this project, so it’s all looking very good and we’re really pleased.”
To find out more about the project, visit www.coveinbloom.com
