Ullapool gets the nod

Ullapool Pier

St. Ayles skiffs beached at Loch Broom

Skiffie racing

A skiff in the foreground during Ullapool Tall Ships

Ullapool

The Harbour

Loch Broom

Coigach


all images courtesy
SCRA World Skiff Championships

Word came in my inbox today that Ullapool has been selected to host the Scottish Coastal Rowing Associations first ever World Skiffs Championship in 2013. What a great choice! I got to know Ullapool many years ago when I spent a summer just north of there on the Coigach coastline. A warm and welcoming town surrounded by spectacular mountains, moors and the sea, and the best fish & chips in the world. Here's the press release sent out by Chris Perkins for the Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club:

St Ayles Skiff World Championships – 8th to 14th July 2013

The Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club is delighted to announce that Ullapool has been selected by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association as the venue for the first World Championship for Coastal Rowing using the St Ayles Skiff. With the astonishing growth of St Ayles Skiff building and rowing by communities internationally the time is right to run a Skiffie Worlds to give an opportunity for Rowers from across the Globe to meet in friendly competition.

Ullapool, on the banks of Loch Broom, a large sheltered sea Loch in the Northwest of Scotland, is an ideal location to host such an event. With an existing infrastructure developed to cater for the needs of visitors and great community experience in running large cultural events SkiifieWorlds will be well within the capacity of the village.

Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club together with their partner organisations, the Loch Broom Sailing Club, Coigach Community Rowing and the Ullapool Harbour Trustees look forward to welcoming visiting crews to our magnificent waters. A full programme of maritime and landbased activities and entertainment is planned culminating with the Prizegiving followed by a boisterous Ceilidh Dance on Saturday 13th.

For more information please visit the dedicated Website http://skiffieworlds.com/, a work in progress which will grow in detail as we get closer to the event.



To find out more about the Iain Oughtred designed St. Ayles Skiff see my earlier posts and visit the Scottish Coastal Rowing website.

Dorna Sail and Oar, the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project, and ruminations on both

Boat Type: Trainera. Ameriketatik (“From the Americas”) was built in 1998 in the Rockland Apprenticeship in Maine, U.S.A., under the direction of Xabier Agote. Sardine fishing techniques, based on speed and manoeuvrability, demanded a length/beam ratio as high as 1/6, twelve metres being the most common length. The hull was light (800 kg approximately), with raised bow and stern, thus facilitating the turning of the craft. The crew was large, usually of twelve rowers, even sixteen in the case of the biggest traineras.


The trainera could also sail, although the sails were never used in the aforementioned fishing technique. The sailplan included main and fore dipping-lug sails. Ameriketatik Built 1998 Length: 11.5m Beam: 2m

Ameriketatik at Cumbrae

Beach at Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, site of the Dorna Sail and Oar

Two boats from the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project showed up, including Boatie Rows from Port Seton, aka Cockenzie . Here the Ulla crew, from Ullapool, tries out the Port Seton build. Apparently there's a lot of boat swapping and trying out at Coastal Rowing events, comparing builds etc, which seems very healthy and constructive.

Columcille crossed the Irish Sea to participate

Ocuan is a Scots Birlinn replica built and maintained by Galgael, the host organization for Dorna Sail and Oar

This boat, and the next, were both brought by the

RWSABC, the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club, based
Greenock, Clyde

Cockenzie aka Boatie Rows

Boatie Rows

Port Seton, aka Cockenzie aka Boatie Rows
from the rather small village of Port Seton/Cockenzie,
(pronounced ko'k?ni)

Hey! I love prams, especially those built in traditional lapstrake and finished with oil and pine tar.

Here we have Ulla, Boatie Rows and Columcillle

Ulla

Ulla and Ameriketatik

Ameriketatik


warmest thanks to Chris Perkins, aka Strathkanchris, for sharing his photos with 70.8%
these are a glorious record of the event, thanks Chris

Lot's to talk about here. First of all we have another instance where a traditional boat festival has invited the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project to participate, creating an impressive synergy. Dorna Sail and Oar is a traditional boat festival which took place recently at Cumbrae Island in the Firth of Clyde.International in character and intention, the festival had visiting boats and crews form Ireland and Galicia, Spain. The celebration, in it's first incarnation, is the production of several interesting groups. I feel a little background is in order to understand what's really going on here. Bear with me.

The Sail and Oar event is part of the DORNA project, a European initiative promoting traditional boat building and related skills.

GalGael Trust

Glasgow-based GalGael Trust are known for engaging the community in building and sailing traditional boats in celebration of Scotland’s heritage. GalGael's mission is to provide a template for renewal; cultural anchor points around which people can rekindle skills, community and a sense of purpose. They describe their innovative work in this way; “At our workbenches, we build skills and self esteem. In our workshop, boats and community are rebuilt.” One of their main achievements has been the development of a unique learning project; Navigate Life providing a place where people can navigate away from a broken sense of self and live life with dignity. Over the past four years 246 people have started this journey. From its Glasgow base, the Trust works with communities across Scotland.

Cumbrae Community Development Company

CCDC is the development trust for the island of Cumbrae, owners of the Garrison House, and charged with the regeneration of the island.

CCDC was established in 2002, after a sustained period of community-led action resulted in the salvation and sympathetic restoration of a magnificent local building - Garrison House - which is centrally located in the island's only town of Millport. After several years of work renovation of the property, including a partly-glass roof, was completed in 2008.

CCDC, following its success with Garrison House, has successfully expanded its remit and is now working with the community to identify ways forward for the sustainable development of the island through projects and initiatives that will boost the local economy and improve the quality of life of residents.

DORNA

The event is part of the DORNA project, a European initiative promoting traditional boat building and related skills. DORNA Scotland is led by the GalGael Trust. Dorna lead partners from Deputacion Da Coruna will launch the BATE brand at the event. The brand will assist in marketing activity in support of the traditional boat building sector. Martin Hughes, Training Manager, said: “DORNA Scotland is delighted to be involved in the Sail and Oar event; highlighting the importance of boat-building in Scotland both historically and in the future. DORNA aims to not only celebrate and share the historic craft skills employed in building traditional vessels, but also explore how traditional boat-builders can work together to find new markets in the future.”

The Dorna Project is partially funded by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund. Get that! The EU is funding marketing initiatives to restore and preserve traditional boatbuilding skills in the Atlantic coastal communities. European largess or wisdom applied to preserving traditional skills and revitalizing coastal communities? Let me know what you think.

I'd also like to share some enthusiasm shared with me by Alec Jordan, of Jordan Boats, about the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project and it's rather phenomenal popularity with Scot's coastal communities, by putting up an (edited) email missive from Alec to me. Admittedly, Alec does have a pecuniary interest in the project as he is the supplier of the St Ayles kits, but I feel his enthusiasm for the project extends far beyond self interest.

Here are Alec's thoughts:

It would be great if we could get things moving a little elsewhere. I
have just finished writing a 1400 word article for Australian Amateur
Boat Builder and the NZ equivalent, so I am hoping that it will get
the interest going over there. We have the advantage that there is
the Scottish diaspora in NZ, so hopefully it will pick up there first.

I understand that Scott Kramer(?) (Carl Cramer, I think) at WoodenBoat also thinks that it is
a fantastic idea, but the feedback I am getting is that it is not
going to work as community based builds - more likely schools - which
misses the point a bit.

I would have thought that the coast of Maine, Chesapeake, and WA would
be the best places to try to get this going. I have heard that Mystic
are looking at doing something similar with trad built whalers, but
these will cost a fortune and need professional builders. The beauty
of the St Ayles is it's relative simplicity of build. It is also
quite forgiving - some of the tales that are coming back from the
builds are a little scary - why the **** won't people ask when in
doubt! But they are still going together.

It would be interesting to get the whaler plans and turn that into a
glued lap kit.

Anyway, I have a busy week with two more St Ayles' to cut.

If you have any ideas as to how to get things going, I'd love to hear
them - maybe put the question out on the blog....


I cold not agree with Alec more. The SCRP has been a galvanising force in bringing Scots communities together, around a wholesome and holistic endeavor. It's a great model for communities everywhere on this planet. If you have questions about this, or need help getting started, contact me or Alec. Lots of help available.
A heads up to the TSCA, this could be great project to get behind, with locally appropriate boat types involved.
So, a lot to ponder, a lot to act on. I will be sending a heads up to the Obama Administration to read this blog post, for what it's worth. Someone will read it.

Again, thanks to Chris for the loan of his photos and thanks to Alec Jordan for his enthusiasm.

On a roll?

link here

Portsoy's Scottish Traditional Boat Festival

Craig o' Kinaird, Anstruther Coigach Lass, Achilitibuie Icebreaker, Portobello

Though not really apparent in this photo, Lass is here pulling ahead of North Berwick's St Baldred

The 'buieites hard at work on their re-hydration scheme

Lassies, currach, Lass et al

Coigach Lass and Icebreaker hauled out in Portsoy's inner harbour, with a backdrop of what appears to be an enchanting village.

Adrian Morgan of Viking Boats with Leslie Muir, author of Coigach Lass. Adrian has stated elsewhere that he is doing penance as a boatbuilder for his years spent as a sailing journalist, but he doesn't appear too penitential here.

I wrote to Chris Perkin's (see below) to inquire about this rather interesting little boat, and was surprised and delighted with his response:

Thomas,

I like your eye!

That's 'Jig', my friend Ken Lowndes, from Polbain, home made dinghy. She is a fibreglass lay-up over an old working boat ( IIRC from an Orkney builder) that was dead on the beach, She isn't the most highly polished of boats, has a long keel so in theory didn't ought to do as well a modern stuff with high aspect foils etc. - but Ken still sails rings round the opposition each Portsoy. The rig is home made as well - a Tyveck paper sail painted with fence paint to give the Tan effect, alu mast with carpet roll bamboo canes as spars.
Ken was in large part responsible for the excellent finish on 'Coigach Lass', painting in very warm conditions in the old Hydroponicum in 'buie - really a giant greenhouse which was great in the winter but once solar gain became significant became a tad tropical.
Have attached a few more of Jig at Portsoy in June for interest. The three mast behind is 'Bien Trouve' a Bantry Bay Gig built for the Atlantic Challenge programme. She took best at show - deservedly. I spent a bit of chip space snapping her.

Cheers
Chris

Loch Broom Sailing Club Regatta

Chris Perkin's lovely Oughtred McGregor sailing canoe Scotch Mist. Chris, a veteran builder of Oughtred designs is an ardent supporter of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project. He's known around the world to fan's of his weblog,... as strathanchris. Chris is a hydrophobe who rarely sails his own creations, but for all that a very accomplished boatbuilder and a keen observer of the UK mall boating scene. He's responsible for all the photos here and I owe him a deep debt of gratitude.

Loch Broom hosted a 'Try the skiff' evening on Friday before the hoopla. Here are some folks trying out Ulla.

Here, the crew from Coigach give Ulla a try.

Reciprocated with a turn in the Lass try by Ulla crew.

I'd forgotten how majestic Loch Broom can be. Here's Ulla and tender at the boat ramp.

And finally, Lass pulling away from Ulla in one of the races to take the win.


All photos courtesy Chris Perkins, aka strathkanchris, thanks Chris

It seems the crews from my beloved Coigach penninsula are proving hard to beat in the Coastal rowing matches. At least, they've come home with a win both at Portsoy and Loch Broom (Ullapool). Fantastic! I've lost count a little, whether it was the men's crew here, the women's crew there, the mixed crew anywhere. No matter, you can sort it out for yourselves at the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project's website. While their wins are warming to me, what is more warming is seeing how these Scot's communities are embracing the project. It seems the events are rapidly escalating into mini festivals on their own, with great community backing and interest. Of course this is what the organizers of the project were trying to engender, but I'm betting the enthusiasm displayed is a surprise even to them. The project is building momentum. It's a great way to promote community and awareness of traditional boat culture. As I said at the commencement of the project, I think it has global implications for any local culture where boats were a part of the local economy. Witness Jonny Nance in St. Ives, who has completed his second Jumbo replica for racing. Whether taking sail or oar as the paradigm, this is an achievable idea for most communities, though rowing is likely more accessible. Certainly almost all coastal communities worldwide, and many inland communities as well, have traditional boat models which could be revived for such a project, and converted to modern techniques for easier construction, by a competent designer.

While I'm sure these races are hard fought and narrowly won, I think the real message here is not who wins, who loses, but the bigger picture of communities coming together, sharing traditional cultures and knowing each other a bit better for the experience. My ope would be to see this idea snowball globally, engendering a respect for bringing tradition forward by respecting the genius of the past and creating new connections and new traditions.

That said, my real and fervent hope would be that awareness of traditional boats could lead to the possibility of a return to fishing under sail and oar, which could be an immense boon to struggling fish populations by limiting catch without artificial limits being imposed. It may sound whacky, but it's more sustainable, and we desperately need sustainable fishing.

OK that's my rant for the day. Thanks to Chris Perkins and to Leslie Muir, and thanks to all those, each and every one, involved in the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project, and in particular, Iain Oughtred for designing the St. Ayles and Alec Jordan for producing affordable kits.

Scottish Coastal Rowing Project: Coigach and Ullapool launch, and have at it

Ulla, the Ullapool boat was launched without ceremony on Friday, May 21

Splashed!

Adrian Morgan, a local boatbuilder and well known ex boating journalist, standing, lent a guiding hand to the builders of Ulla, led by Topher Dawson

In this photo, as ell as the two preceding, one can see the
the Viking style steering board, like a paddle, used by Ulla to eliminate problems with a rudder. It's a bit of an experiment, and we'll see how it performs. A full exposition of this steering method and the rationale behind it can be found here

Putting their backs into it on Loch Broom

Loch Broom

Lesley Muir, on of the moving forces behind Achiltibuie's Coigach Lass, proudly display's the wax model which will be cast in bronze and become the Lass' figurehead.

The Lass being carried down the ramp at Old Dornie for splash.

Lass' sea trials

Ulla rowed over for the ceremony from Loch Broom,

and of course, an informal match race began!

The Lass pulls ahead

Coigach Lass raced with five other boats at Anstruther this weekend with an all women crew, all over 40. They didn't win the race but won something more precious.

this photo courtesy P Nisbet/Coigach Lass

all other photos courtesy Chris Perkins

The Scottish Coastal Rowing Project is very healthy and rowing into it's first sanctioned races. The Ullapool boat splashed unceremoniously on Friday, May 21, and the Coigach Lass to somewhat greater ceremony (pipes) on Saturday, May 22. A cordial crew from Loch Broom rowed over to share the moment for Coigach, and naturally, a match race was soon underway. It's enlightening to read the teams respective blogs of what ensued. According to Coigach, they won the match hands down, but the Ullapool site has it that out of deference to Coigach Lass on her splash day, they 'allowed' her to pull ahead. H'mmm.
In any event, the first full regatta took place on Saturday, May 29, in Anstruther with six boats/teams attending. More here...

I've been following this project from it's inception last fall and am highly impressed with the vitality, industry and eagerness of the participants, really a remarkable phenomenom. It would be especially nice to see this Scots bred concept travel round the world, and invovle communities from other cultures building their own historically indigenous craft as a mirror to this Scottish idea.

The boats used by the various communties are all built to Iain Oughtreds St. Ayles design and kits are available through Alec Jordan.
Visit the Coigach Lass.
Visit Ulla.
VisitThe Scottish Coastal Rowing Project.