DUNBAR’S new harbourmaster is learning to work with different groups following a career change.

Fiona Kibby succeeded Quentin Dimmer in the role last month and has been working alongside harbour users and the directors of Dunbar Harbour Trust, which manages the harbour.

The new harbourmaster was full of praise for everyone helping her settle in.

She said: “Everybody has been really helpful, very welcoming and patient, and teaching me about how the harbour operates.”

Born in Milngavie, Fiona is no stranger to the town, as her mum has lived in Dunbar for about 15 years.

Regular visits eventually saw the mum-of-one swap Hertfordshire for East Lothian and the new role.

It was while living in Gourock on Scotland’s west coast that she developed a love of sailing.

The move also meant “a complete career change” and Fiona told the Courier: “I have had about 35 years of working in the food industry, mostly around food safety.

“I think, post-Covid, I was really looking to the future and was interested in something a little bit different.

“Being in the same industry for a long time, I wanted to do something that used a lot of my transferable skills – people management or safety management – and incorporating sailing and things I am interested in.

“I was not looking to be a harbourmaster, that just came when I realised Dunbar was looking for one.”

READ MORE: Harbourmaster takes on new offshore wind farm role

Discussions with Alasdair Swan, chairman of Dunbar Harbour Trust, led to an interview and subsequently taking on the role.

Fiona said that she was still learning on the job but was enjoying the process.

She added: “Most of the job is about understanding how to work with different groups – fishermen, leisure users and the community – bringing everyone together and looking after something really important to Dunbar.”