While most families plan breakfast in bed or head out for Sunday brunch, the Sutherlands head out on a rescue.
At RNLI Fraserburgh, lifesaving has been part of the Sutherland family since 1978. Coxswain of almost 20 years, Vic Sutherland volunteers alongside his 21-year-old daughter Eilidh, his brother David and his nephew Declan. Together, the four family members make up part of the crew that helps save lives at sea.
Vic says: ‘It’s probably overwhelming for the rest of the crew having four Sutherlands aboard the boat – they probably feel like they can’t move for us, but I’m very proud of the family connection.’
He adds: ‘The fact I’m going to sea with David, along with my nephew Declan and now my daughter Eilidh – I’m really proud they’re carrying on the family tradition, just as we followed in our dad’s footsteps.’
The two brothers have half a century in the life-saving organisation between them, and the family’s RNLI connection goes back decades.
Vic says: ‘My dad was a fisherman and crew member. I remember the phone ringing and him dropping everything to go – there were no pagers then, just the house phone.
“You would know within a matter of seconds when it was the lifeboat calling, because my dad would drop the phone and run straight out of the house.
“It certainly set myself and David up with an itch to join the crew, it was a natural progression. I think it gave us a really good grounding, it’s great for any youngster coming in.
“It gives you a sense of responsibility, because obviously the level of commitment that’s going to be given is second to none. It also gives you a sense of pride, the fact that you’re involved with the station.’
Eilidh, who recently joined as crew, says it felt inevitable she would follow the same path. Eilidh says: ‘I grew up with the RNLI. My dad always says I’ve been going about with fundraising buckets since I could walk, and I always remember thinking I would love to be part of the crew.’
Despite their close bond, Eilidh says professionalism comes first on the boat. Eilidh says: ‘It’s definitely brought us closer, but when I’m at the station, he’s not my dad – he’s the Coxswain and I’m the crew.’
Father’s Day itself will be a working one for Vic. He says: ‘I’ll open my cards and get my socks or a bottle of whisky, but I’m on duty this weekend so it’s just like any other day. If the pager goes off, you’re getting on with it and doing what needs to be done. That’s been the way for the whole of Eilidh’s life.’
“My girls have experienced the pager going off at every kind of time over the years, whether it’s a Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries – if the pager goes, you just respond.
“It wouldn’t be the first time they had been left sitting in a restaurant or abandoned sitting in Tesco’s with their mum because they’ve went in for the shopping, I’ve been sitting in the car and the pager’s gone and they understand I’ve had to go.’
For families considering volunteering together, Eilidh says: ‘Just go for it. It’s brought us closer being there for that part of each other’s lives, because it’s the biggest part of our lives. Working on the boat with my dad and going out to help people together is just an amazing feeling.’