Newhaven Harbour's days as a thriving fishing port were rekindled at the weekend as dozens of boats from all over Scotland sailed into the docks for the biggest ever gathering of wooden boats on the Forth.

Thousands turned out to watch a spectacular parade of sail by Yawls and Fifies, fishing boats built in the 1920s and 30s.

Mr Davie Brand, 48, the last fisherman out of Newhaven, was there with 75-year-old fishing boat Robina Inglis, one of the few surviving Fifies built at the port, which he has lovingly restored over the last two years - repairing, varnishing and painting the larch planks and oak frames.

The Robina Inglis, which used to fish for herring in the Forth, was joined by other famous fishing vessels, including the 80-year-old Reaper.

Mr Brand followed his father Davie into fishing, but his son, also Davie, preferred to break with the past, and he can understand why.

He said: ''There is nobody I know who is wanting to go into fishing now. Money can be made much easier ashore. It is much easier doing a 9 to 5 job than working all week and getting little wages. You need a lot of local knowledge of the sea to fish around here.

''This used to be one of the best small fishing ports on the Forth. There would have been up to 100 boats fishing out of here at the turn of the century.''

Now, as organiser Port O'Leith Motor Boat Club hopes to make the Newhaven Boat Festival an annual event, the old port could become more famous for magnificently restored wooden boats than fishing for herring.