Plans have set sail in the Moray Firth for a flotilla of traditional boats to cruise from Wick to Portsoy as part of Highland 2007.

The boats, many of which were a lifeline for residents of the Moray Firth a century ago, will spend nights in Lybster, Helmsdale, Invergordon, Cromarty and Buckie before arriving in Portsoy for the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival on Saturday 1 July. They’ll also sail close to beaches of Brora, Nairn and Burghead.

And everywhere they go the boats will bring maritime festival-style fun, with music, dance and tales of days gone by.

Sinclair Young, Director of the Moray Firth Partnership and organiser of the flotilla, said: “We’re very excited about this project. Not only will it be great fun, it will also give us an opportunity to show today’s coastal communities pieces of their history.

“The heritage of the Moray Firth is closely tied with the fishing industry and in the past few years a collection of traditional boats has been restored. Seeing them together sailing past the cliffs of Caithness and beaches of Moray will be like going back in time. And joining in with existing celebrations including Lybster’s Silver Darlings day, Cromarty’s Regatta and Portsoy’s Traditional Boat Festival will guarantee a party atmosphere both onboard and off.”

Fiona Hampton, Director of Highland 2007, said: “Communities in and around the Moray Firth have always been closely tied to the sea and the fishing industry so it is very apt that these boats are remembered in this unique way as part of the year long celebrations of Highland culture in 2007.

“The ports and coastal communities offering harbour to the flotilla on their journey will be able to join in the fun giving many people throughout the area the chance to participate in this exciting event and to experience living history.”

So far, over 20 boats from Lerwick, Wick, Anstruther, Portsoy and Loch Fyne have signed up for the Moray Firth Flotilla with others expected to join.

Some of the vessels taking part are the last authentic example of boats of their kind. The Swan from Lerwick, for example, was once the largest fishing boat in Shetland. After almost a century of service She was found in 1990 at the bottom of a dock in Harlepool Harbour before being repaired and relaunched by Shetland’s Swan Trust.