These images show just a few of the abandoned boats hauled out of the water at Charlestown Harbour, in Fife. In July 2026 local volunteers banded together to remove dozens of old and sunken boats – some of which had been left abandoned for decades – from the mud at the historic coastal haven which had become a graveyard for old vessels.
Over 30 boats were hoisted by crane from the water and deposited in a makeshift compound at Ballast Bank, at the eastern end of the tidal harbour, where they will be temporarily stored as they await collection or scrapping.
The harbour was built by the 5th Earl of Elgin in 1756 on the River Forth to serve as a industrial port for the shipment of coal and lime products mined and processed on his estate. However, the heavy industry ended in the 1950s and, in more recent years, locals felt that it had become an eyesore, with boats left lying neglected and sunken in the mud. Some of the boats removed were abandoned in the 1980s and 90s.
Residents from Charlestown and neighbouring communities joined forces with local politicians to urge Broomhall Estate, which owns the harbour, to take action and, with the help of the local sailing club, a crane was hired. Known boat owners were issued with an ultimatum – claim their craft or they would be removed.
The old boats were dragged to the eastern end of the harbour before being lifted out onto the grassy bank. A couple of larger vessels remain in the harbour but, on the whole, the operation was a success and was welcomed by locals who reportedly believe the harbour now looks much improved.
The harbour has been officially closed to boats by the estate which plans to install a boom across the entrance. Longer term, plans have been agreed to leave it to become a saltmarsh environment after plans to sell the harbour to the community fell through.
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