Famous Brochers from history should be used to sell the town as a tourist destination around the world, a local heritage society has said.
The team of volunteers behind the Fraserburgh Heritage Centre have been working to raise awareness of the town’s history for 16 years.
Now they have called for residents to embrace their ancestors and use the town’s remarkable historical impact on the world to boost the local economy.
The centre’s Famous Brochers exhibition highlights the likes of Antarctic explorer Stewart Slessor, American War of Independence hero Hugh Mercer, and Thomas Blake Glover who is renowned as the founder of modern industrial Japan.
Heritage centre volunteer Malcolm McKillop said: “We have an opportunity to attract people to this area on the back of these Brochers,” Mr McKillop said. “We cater for all different languages with our materials.”
He said other places in Scotland have seized on the popularity of hit TV show Outlander to lure tourists in, particularly from America.
“People are coming as close as Fyvie Castle to see the Outlander locations. We want to bring them closer to some real history, not just a fictional show.”
His thoughts were echoed by fellow centre volunteer Benny Noble, who said: “People can come here to learn about the impact our famous Brochers have had on the world.
“We’re child-friendly and have our leaflets in other languages including Japanese. We show the link Fraserburgh has with foreign shores.”
Comments left in the centre’s visitor book reflect the international appeal – this summer tourists from as far afield as Russia, Japan and America have left comments in the book.
Mr Noble added: “Some of our Brochers are more famous around the world than they are here in Fraserburgh.”
The Fraserburgh Heritage Centre is on Quarry Road, near the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
