Aberdeen Harbour is currently hosting the historic sailing herring drifter, the Reaper, a vessel with over 120 years of maritime heritage, as part of the city’s annual Festival of the Sea.
The public has been offered a unique opportunity to explore the meticulously preserved ship, which boasts a storied past encompassing active service in both World Wars and a notable appearance in a popular television series.
Constructed in 1901 by J & G Forbes in Sandhaven, near Fraserburgh, the Reaper was initially registered in 1902 as a two-masted sailing lugger of the ‘Fifie’ type, a design prevalent among East Coast Scottish fishing boats during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She operated as a vital fishing vessel through the First World War, with an engine installed in 1916 to mitigate the challenges of unpredictable winds and wartime movement restrictions in Shetland.
The vessel’s service continued until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, when the Admiralty requisitioned her for duty in the south-east of England, where she was occasionally employed as a barrage balloon mooring. Following the war, the Reaper resumed her fishing activities in Shetland until 1957. In 1959, she was acquired by Zetland Council (now Shetland Islands Council), renamed Shetlander, and repurposed as a ‘flit-boat’ for cargo transport.
The Reaper was ultimately retired from active service in 1974 with the introduction of roll-on/roll-off ferries. The Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, Fife, purchased the vessel in 1975, undertaking a restoration to return her to her original 1902 rig and renaming her Reaper FR958.
In more recent years, the historic drifter gained renewed prominence through her appearance in the critically acclaimed television series ‘Outlander’. She featured in the first episode of season two, portraying one of the vessels in the fictional French port of Le Havre.
Aberdeen City Council announced the vessel’s arrival, inviting the public to engage with maritime history, saying: “Ahoy! Reaper has docked in Aberdeen!”
“You can board the Reaper for FREE today until 5pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am-5pm at Telford Dock as part of the Festival of the Sea and learn more about her fascinating history!”
In Case You Missed it:
The opportunity to board the Reaper for free is available to residents and visitors.
The Festival of the Sea runs from 11-26 July 2026, with the Reaper accessible for boarding on 23-25 July. Entry to the vessel at Telford Dock is via York Place, adjacent to the RNLI Lifeboat Station. A location map can be accessed online at https://what3words.com/move.king.grit
