Celebrations to mark land purchase

THE burning of an old fishing boat has marked the community ownership of land at Newburgh waterfront.

Newburgh Communuty Trust bought the ground under the Land Reform Act community right-to-buy legislation.

The boat - which had long been abandoned - was set alight by Roger Taylor, who won a draw for the honour. Local firemen supervised the burning of the boat.

Newburgh cobble boat races were also held as part of the celebrations, with a good number of local residents turning out in pouring rain to lend their support.

Winners of the main boat race were locals, Barry Roper and Tom Johnston, who led home four cobbles.

The wet weather forced the cancellation of another part of the celebration, the lighting of lamps etching out the 200-yard-high bear on Parkhill.

The bear is the symbol of the Warwick family and a member of that family helped found the famous Lindores Abbey.