Public invited to witness dredger naming ceremony

The public are being invited to witness the naming of Moray Council's new £2.5million dredger at Buckie harbour tomorrow.

The MV Selkie - named after a mythical Scottish sea creature - will be officially launched by Clare Russell, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire.

The vessel was built at the nearby Macduff Shipyard facility in Buckie and is Scotland's only council-owned dredger.

As well as dredging Moray Council's six harbours, she will also be available for dredging operations in other council areas.

Tomorrow's ceremony will begin shortly before 12 noon with a welcome from Moray Council convener Councillor Allan Wright.

The Selkie - whose name was chosen by local schoolchildren - and her crew will be blessed by Findochty and Portknockie minister Rev Dr Hilary Smith before the Lord Lieutenant performs the naming ceremony.

Following the ceremony guided tours of the vessel will be available.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.