21 September 2016

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was in the picturesque village of St Abbs to see the launch of the community’s new independent lifeboat and hear about the story behind it.

FM @NicolaSturgeon is visiting St Abbs today as the @stabbslifeboat is launched. pic.twitter.com/8MJXYB112X

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) September 17, 2016

Just over a year ago, the RNLI closed its station in St Abbs and the local community immediately launched an appeal to raise £500,000 to fund a new lifeboat for the independent station.

The ‘Support St Abbs Lifeboat’ campaign was greatly helped by a donation of £250,000 from Boyd Tunnock, the owner of Tunnocks Ltd, and continued fundraising saw the campaign reach the target and a new lifeboat was ordered.

https://t.co/cm28Dtvgyt https://t.co/UCE58sDxtw

— St Abbs Lifeboat (@stabbslifeboat) September 17, 2016

Named the ‘Thomas Tunnock’, the lifeboat is one of the quickest and most technologically advanced lifeboats in the UK and is ideal for search and rescue capabilities along the Berwickshire coast.

The First Minister was delighted to attend the launch and praised the spirit of the campaign and community…and even found time to pose with Boyd Tunnock and his specially made hat!

FM @NicolaSturgeon pays tribute to the community of St Abbs after the launch of the independent @stabbslifeboat. pic.twitter.com/cdT7sSnZew

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) September 17, 2016

Superb day for @stabbslifeboat launch in stunning St Abbs on #CostaDelBerwickshire @NicolaSturgeon & Mr Boyd Tunnock pic.twitter.com/dwmYAaJ2VH

— Paul Wheelhouse MSP (@PaulWheelhouse) September 17, 2016