The Crinan Classic
Special Report
The Crinan Classic is a 4 Day event, staged this year between 25th – 28th July.
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Sponsored by Isle of Jura Whisky and the Crinan Hotel, the Crinan Classic saw 47 wooden boats,sail and motor, arriving at Crinan from the UK and beyond..
The boats represent some magnificent examples of Britains maritime heritage. |
Two boats, Glance and Tom Tit argued for being the oldest boats, both launched in 1894. Tom Tit arrived by lorry from Southampton. The Truant, an eight metre Fife of Fairley, built in 1912 and recently restored by A&R Way boatyard Lochgilphead, was relaunched the week previous in Tarbet to catch the 8 metre world championship in Rhu and then sailed back through the Crinan Canal to take part in the Crinan Classic.
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Good winds ensured some fine racing across the sound to Jura and around the buoys in Loch Crinan.
The Classic celebrations kicked of in style with the Mid Argyll Pipe band aboard the flower garland Duke of Normandy Tug coming out of the mist and locking into the Crinan basin, the pipes and drums echoing around the village. |
The motor boat race entertained spectators with a duel between two Crinan boats, the Sgarbh and the Duke of Normandy, vying for victory. Employing questionable tactics, they both failed to read the race instructions and crossed the line too early letting Sylva from Balvicar take the trophy - the stuffed highland bulls head from the Crinan Hotel public bar.
The ladies race, all helms in petticoats, was won by Nan of Gair .
On the Friday a Highland Games took to the water with a number of unique water sports - Haggis Hurling from under the lighthouse into floating life belts (participants wearing ‘jimmy hats’ and skilts); rowing boat race and tug of war; golf driving onto a floating green – all accompanied by drams of Jura served by boat to the yachts in the loch. |
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During the four day event two ceilidhs were held - one at the hotel and one the Crinan Boat Yard with Archie McAlister’s band, Stewart McInnes’ band and Box o’ Bananas. At both events Willie Tait, Master Distiller from Jura treated everybody to a wonderful tasting of his malts.
As well as feasting on the sight of these majestic and historic boats sailing on the loch, landlubbers could enjoy the exhibition of local and other Scottish artists at the Sea Loch and a maritime exhibition held at Crinan Hotel and featuring model boats made by Graham Johnstone of Lochgoilhead, father of Alan Johnstone the BBC reporter recently held hostage but thankfully released in Gaza.
After four days of good weather, fine winds and much celebrations (and whisky) the event was declared a resounding success and now destined to become an annual event at Crinan.
“This was fantastic, I had the sail of my life to get here from Iona and I would circumnavigate the world to do so again. There was magic in the wind, bringing these incredible boats together in a place as beautiful and so made for it as Crinan.” Participant Quote.
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