DURING the month of August, 1961, no fewer than four new life-boats were named in Scotland. The ceremonies took place at Aith on the 2nd August, at Whitehills on the 12th August, at Port- patrick on the 16th August, and at Buckie on the 26th August.

The life-boat at Aith, which is the most northerly of all the Institution's stations, is one of the 52-feet Barnett type. The other three are all of the 47- feet Watson type.

The new Aith life-boat was given to the Institution by Mr. and Mrs. John Macfarlane, and Mrs. Macfarlane formally named the boat John and Frances Macfarlane. Captain Donald Cross, president of the Aith branch, was in the chair, and after Commander D. G. Wicksteed, Deputy Chief Inspec- tor, had described the boat, Brigadier J. W. H. Gow, a member of the Com- mittee of Management and chairman of the Glasgow branch, handed her over to the branch. Mr. Robert Fraser, the branch honorary secretary, accepted her. Dr. J. A. Hunter, chairman of the branch, proposed a vote of thanks. The Interim Moderator for Sandsting and Aithsting, the Rev. Gordon Holroyd, then dedicated the life-boat.

The Whitehills life-boat was provided out of a legacy from the late Mr. Harry Wycherley of Rochdale, a gift from Miss Jane W. Robb of Banchory, and the general funds of the Institution.

The Duchess of Fife named the life-boat Helen Wycherley. The Rev. Alexander W. Greig, chairman of the branch was in the chair, and after the newly- appointed Northern District Inspector, Lieut.-Commander M. Roden, had described the boat, Earl Howe, Chair- man of the Committee of Management, handed her over to the branch. Mr.

George Watson, joint honorary secre- tary of the branch, accepted her. Votes of thanks were proposed by Mrs.

Stewart Turner, president of the local ladies' life-boat guild, and Mr. D. F.

Ferguson, the other joint honorary sec- retary of the branch. The service of dedication was performed by the Rev.

Mr. Greig.

Anonymous Donor The Lady Jean Fforde, daughter of the late Duke of Montrose, who was for many years the Institution's Treasurer, named the new Portpatrick life-boat The Jeanie. The money for this boat was provided by an anonymous donor in Scotland. Mr. J. P. Tully, chairman of the Portpatrick branch, took the chair, and after the Northern District Inspector had described the boat, Earl Howe handed her over to the branch. Mr. A. A. McGregor, the branch honorary secretary, accepted her. After a vote of thanks proposed by Captain D. Orr-Ewing, the Rev. Robert H. Richmond, Minister of Portpatrick parish church, dedicated the life-boat, the Rev. D. F. Wrench, Priest in Charge of the episcopal churches of St. John's, Stranraer, and St. Ninian's, Portpatrick, blessing her.

The cost of the new Buckie boat was defrayed from legacies left by Miss Laura Moncur of Colinton, Edinburgh, and Miss Jessie Bridie Mavor of Skel- morlie, and the general funds of the Institution. Lady Saltoun named the life-boat Laura Moncur. Mr. William Smith, chairman of the branch, was in the chair, and after a description of the boat had been given by the Northern District Inspector Lord Saltoun, a Vice- President of the Institution and Con- vener of the Scottish Life-boat Council, handed the boat over to the branch, the boat being accepted by Dr. P. Reid, the branch's vice-chairman. Votes of thanks were proposed by the Provosts of Buckie and Findochty, Provost J. F.

Cameron and Provost John H.

Mackenzie, and the Rev. J. D.Henderson of north parish church, Buckie, dedi- cated the boat..