A huge crowd gathered at a Moray port to salute a skiff crafted by a water sports club to encourage women to keep fit.
Rowers already in crafts at Findochty Harbour raised oars in the air while a piper played as new boat Morven was lowered into the water for the first time.
Volunteers have spent the last year building the skiff in sheds at nearby Cullen as part of their Wifies on the Waves initiatives, which aims to encourage women to get involved in the sport.
A crew of five women were the first to head to sea in the boat, which was named after a prominent hill on the other side of the Moray Firth and a village street overlooking the harbour following a competition.
Mairi Innes, commodore of Findochty Water Sports Club, said: “We’re trying to encourage ladies over the age of 50 to get more involved in rowing because it’s a good for witness and a good way to enjoy the outdoors.
“Most of the women in the club have also been involved in the boat building, so it’s nice to see them be the first to head to sea.”
Ian Palmer, from Glenfiddich Distillery, which supported the project with funding alongside the Big Lottery Fund, Tesco and the Mary Salmond Trust, christened the boat with whisky from the Speyside firm before blessing it.
Rowing clubs spread along the Moray Firth coast between Banff and Nairn and the Buckie lifeboat followed Morven on her maiden voyage to sea as well as Findochty’s other skiff, Morag.
The large crowd gathered on the harbour pier applauded as the convoy left the port as children enjoyed the warm weather by plunging off the quayside and into the water.
Morven will now travel the country attending regattas with the Findochty group with voyages already planned on the River Thames in London and the River Clyde.
Mrs Innes added: “There’s nothing better on a nice day than to be rowing. It’s also a good way to help people become more confident.”
