IT SEEMS that one of Scotland’s best-known bucket-based philosophers is backing the country’s beleaguered fishing fleets.
Oor Wullie has been spotted on the side of a fishing vessel, berthed at Macduff.
And his thought for the day? “Fuel’s nae cheap nae mair!”
The authentically-produced black-and-white sketch is at the stern of the Ullapool-registered Our Hazel and has been amusing onlookers at the small north-east port.
The drawing is skipper Angus Morrison and his crewmates’ protest at the soaring cost of fuel prices, which has devastated the catching sector.
Last month, the Press and Journal revealed that young fishermen were deserting the industry because the rise in fuel costs had led to their wages being slashed to as little as £20 per day at sea. But many skippers who spend around £10,000 on diesel each trip are said to be “trapped” in the industry while they repay bank loans.
Macduff harbourmaster John West said: “A few folk have spoken about the Oor Wullie.
“Its not something I’ve really seen done before. It’s a bit of a one-off but it sums up what a lot of fishermen are thinking.”
The Fishermen’s Fuel Action Group was formed to campaign for more aid for the industry.