Crews who travelled to Ullapool for 2012′s Loch Broom Rowing Regatta were treated to fantastic conditions of flattish water and clear skies.  The venue will be hosting the First St Ayles Skiff World Championships in 2013, and the Scottish crews tested out possible courses.  Organisers were able to experiment with the course and with timetabling racing to fit in with the CalMac ferry to Stornoway.  All photos by Ali Foote, with thanks.

A big bit of our country

Nine skiffs attended, with the local boats from Loch Broom Sailing Club, Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club, Ullapool High School and Coigach Community Coastal Rowing Club being joined by boats from RowPorty, North Berwick and Boatie Blest, all based on the Firth of Forth.  Finally all the skiffies were delighted to welcome ‘Baile an Or’ from Bunillidh Rowing Club, Helmsdale.  The boat, the Northermost St Ayles skiff on the Scottish mainland was launched at the beginning of June.  Fiona MacDonald of Ullapool tells us “Bunillidh will be a force to be reckoned with once they get going.  They didn’t get a place in the top three this time but gave a great performance. ”

As in several of this year’s regattas it was Coigach who set the pace, taking first place in six of the races, being all the mens and mixed categories.  The Women’s open and 35 + categories were won by Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club, and North Berwick took the prize for 50 + women south.  Table for first seconds and thirds were as follows:

Importantly for Scottish Coastal Rowing, it is not just about the racing.  There was plenty of socialising on the beach before, during and after the racing followed by  a cracking Ceilidh in the town hall on the Saturday night.  On Sunday over 100 people rowed, sailed, kayaked or motored over to a barbecue on the shore east of Altnaharrie, which was a very enjoyable outing.