Aberdeenshire businesses protest plans to axe Macduff harbour nightwatch service due to council cuts

It was a fight that businesses in Macduff in Aberdeenshire won eight years ago.

Proposals to axe the nightwatch service at the town’s harbour were met with fierce opposition within the community in 2017.

But now they’re facing a battle again as the same plans have been approved in Aberdeenshire Council’s budget as chiefs aim to make savings of £15m.

Due to the cuts, boats will only be able to dock at the harbour between the hours of 8am and 4pm.

The local authority claims the harbour doesn’t require a 24/7 security presence – but those who use the site, which is the council’s busiest harbour, say they do.

John Clark has been a fisherman for the last three decades.

He told STV News: “They are playing with people’s lives.

“Over the last six or seven years these night watchmen have stopped accidents from happening. Boats have slipped their moorings, they’ve been there to help and protect those boats which are important asset. They’re also providing safe navigation in the harbour during the night for vessels who don’t know it.

“They want to move the harbour to 8am to 4pm in a tidal harbour – it’s ludicrous.”

The proposal was voted through by Aberdeenshire Council in February as a cost-saving measure, alongside decommissioning the harbour’s ice plant, which should save the organisation £170,000.

The local authority said the watchperson positions were created in the 1980s and were no longer required because of a decrease in commercial fishing activity and a complete loss of cargo traffic.

Plans to cut nitghtwatch service branded 'terrible' by locals — Plans to cut nitghtwatch service branded ‘terrible’ by locals STV News

John added: “From March 1 2024 to March 1 2025, we’ve seen fish landings here in Macduff increase by 18%.

“If the plans go ahead to take away the nightwatchman, the fish landings will stop here.”

According to a recent report, published last year and commissioned by Aberdeenshire Council, Macduff’s Harbour injects £11.2m into the local economy every year, and supports around 280 jobs.

It said: “This figure doesn’t include jobs associated with fishing activity and therefore should be seen as a conservative estimate.”

Locals warn if the plans go ahead, the economic benefit will stop, and fear jobs will go elsewhere.

Macduff Shipyards employ around 160 people in the town, and argue the harbour is a key investment for the region.

The nightwatch service at Macduff Harbour is set to be axed STV News

Macduff shipyard managing director John Watt STV News

Managing director John Watt said: “The issue I have is that customers come from all over, and the harbour is strange to them, so a lot of the guys are looking for someone local to call.

“If there’s no watchman, there’s no one to call, and that will put people off coming here.

“Downgrading the harbour at the moment is terrible with all the opportunities we have.

“We’re on one of the busiest stretches of water in the world. There are so many different projects going on around us.”

The proposal is due to come into force in April.

But the community warn they’re ramping up their opposition and won’t be backing down.

David Paterson’s family has worked in Macduff for more than 100 years, offering a range of vessel services like painting.

He’s also concerned about the impact on his business and believes there are other ways to cut costs.

Funding was cut as councillors slashed £15m from the budget STV News

He said: “We want to work with them and show them some proposals about how we think they can save money around the harbour.

“We think some of the departments are too top heavy. They could be looked at. The council are cutting the roles that are really important.”

Aberdeenshire Council explained visiting vessels unfamiliar with the harbour are advised to hold off navigating the entrance until daylight under the direction of the harbour master to avoid accidents.

They said they “continue to work with and support those colleagues impacted by the decision”.

A spokesperson said: “The Macduff Harbour watchperson posts were created in the 1980s to patrol the harbour and ensure safety and security outside of normal working hours. However, activity at Macduff Harbour has changed considerably since that time, with the complete loss of cargo traffic and a substantial reduction in commercial fishing activity.

“In light of those changes, the discontinuation of the watchperson posts was identified and approved as a saving during the 2025/26 revenue budget agreed by Full Council on February 27th. We continue to work with and support those colleagues impacted by the decision. The harbour continues to be covered by a 24/7 CCTV system which is monitored during the daytime shift with recordings available at all other times.”