Tributes have been paid at this year’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival to the man who transformed it into an international attraction.
At the official opening of the festival in Portsoy on Saturday, lord lieutenant of Banffshire Clare Russell spoke of the long-standing chairman, her depute and close friend Roger Goodyear.
Widely regarded as the driving force behind the event’s global expansion, the 74-year-old died peacefully at Roxburghe House in Aberdeen on May 30 following a short battle with cancer.
In the event programme, organisers described Mr Goodyear as the man whose “vision” had enhanced Portsoy and stated that the festival would not be the success it is today without his “dedication, enthusiasm and tireless work”.
Vikings, performers, boat races and sunshine – the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival 2019
Thousands of people attended the festival and clearly enjoyed the event which served as a testimony to his decades of whole-hearted commitment and meticulous planning.
Mr Goodyear was appointed as vice-lord lieutenant in 2011 by the Queen and worked alongside Mrs Russell for the last eight years.
She said, in her opening speech: “Roger’s legacy to Portsoy is amazing.
“He has been involved with many projects and events all over Banffshire and Aberdeenshire.
“We organised many royal visits and I was delighted he had a lovely conversation with the Duke of Rothesay when he visited Banff and Macduff a few weeks ago.
“I could go on forever, Roger was the most amazing man, full of wisdom and great kindness, a marvellous organiser, huge fun and much loved by everyone.
“He will be greatly missed, but he will never be forgotten by Portsoy. He would want us to go on and make this year’s festival a huge success.”
