Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Nairn Harbourmaster


I learned today that one of Fishertown's well known characters Alex Taylor passed away last night.
Alex was the part time Harbourmaster for many years and I understand was in poor health in recent times. He was indeed an old salt, and the sea was very much in his blood. He was not a man of many words and his growling gravelly voice was worse than his bite.
For years he enjoyed lifting his few creels in his small boat, and was one of the old man and the sea characters.
Although we did not always see eye to eye, he did have a soft spot for the Swans and ducks, and considered them harbour residents as much as the boats. I remember he actually gave me a loaf once last year to give to the Swans ! He will be missed by many of the locals who enjoyed a bit of a crack with him.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice thoughts Joe.

Anonymous said...

Best leave birds alone - reason - they must be able to fend for themselves in the wild, not follow the tourists around for bits and pieces. One day they might accidentaly harm an innocent child.

jayteescot1 said...

The birds in the river can fend for themselves in the wild. The young cygnets will be gone before the Spring and the adult Swans would only attack in defence of their young. In my experience children are much more likely to harm the innocent birds !