Strathpeffer skiff set for maiden trip

A ROSS-SHIRE community which pulled together to build a skiff is relishing the prospect of embarking on a new adventure.

The Strathpeffer and District Community Rowing Club, formed in September last year, is making "fantastic progress" towards building a St Ayles skiff, with plans to launch next month at Foulis Ferry.

In common with other skiff groups dotting around Ross-shire, it hopes to provide opportunities for people of all ages to row or cox socially or competitively at regattas throughout Scotland.

The story began in May 2017 when the Strathpeffer Men’s Shed group invited Topher Dawson of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association to provide a briefing about what was involved in building and rowing a skiff.

After forming a club and fundraising and ordering the kit, building started in January this year, helped by the Brahan Estate providing a large part of a steading for the work to be carried out.

The club committee has met regularly and has run stalls at local events and held an open day for people to view progress. A crowdfunder raised £1000 and the club now has nearly 50 signed-up members with more expected after it is launched.

Funding has come from a variety of sources including the National Lottery Awards for All, EDF ER Corriemoillie Strathpeffer Fund, Cromarty Firth Port Authority, Ma-ckenzie New York Villa Trust, Dingwall Wind Co-op and Lochluichart Community Trust.

The club, which looks forward to joining the 70-plus others across Scotland, reckons it may the first inland club in Scotland.

Tor Justad, who chairs the club, said: "We’re at a fantastic stage and thanks to our master builder Steve Dovey and a dedicated group of amateur volunteer builders we’ve just about completed the skiff in record time.

"Now we’re keen to encourage anyone in the area who would like to try rowing to contact us, either through myself or our secretary Rod Richard (rodrichard23@gmail.com) or our Facebook page."