Hundreds of people came from far and wide to welcome a fleet of Fife yachts as they sailed into Argyll?s Secret Coast as part of the
Fife Regatta 2013 on 1st, 2nd and 3rd July. As well as enjoying the spectacle of these beautiful boats, considered the world?s most prestigious classic yachts, they were treated to all sorts of onshore celebrations organised by the local community and sponsored by Event Scotland as part of the
Year of Natural Scotland.
The Fifes sailed from Rothesay to Tighnabruaich on Monday 1st July. There were some great viewpoints along the way, including
Caol Ruadh Sculpture Park near Colintraive. The first boats arrived in Tighnabruaich around lunchtime. By this time, the village was buzzing with life and the festivities were in full swing, with a local produce and crafts market, boat trips on the puffer VIC 32, pony-and-trap rides, great local food and drink, including venison burgers and Fyne Ales, and lots of unexpected sunshine. In the evening, the Fife crews joined the locals for a dinner and ceilidh.
One of the highlights of the day was the Scottish coastal rowing races. The Kyles Coastal Rowing Club launched its newly built St Ayles skiff at the event. Crowds flocked to the Lifeboat station to watch the local team battle it out to win against teams that had travelled from Troon, Carrick and Adrishaig. Crews from the visiting Fife boats then formed their own teams and took part in an afternoon of skiff races.
On Tuesday morning the larger boats set sail en-masse from Kames to race to
Portavadie Marina, where they berthed for two nights. Despite the wet weather, it was a truly breath-taking sight. Lots of people followed the progress of the boats from a number of viewpoints along the coast, taking advantage of local cafés and hotels to stop for refreshments on the way.
Tuesday?s weather had hindered Class 3, the smaller boats, from making this passage, so Kames benefited from an unscheduled race for this class on Wednesday morning. The crews of the larger yachts made the most of a day?s rest at Portavadie and explored the surrounding area. Many boarded the Waverley and headed to Tarbert.
The crews enjoyed a whisky tasting and Scottish feast on Tuesday evening at Portavadie. The 18 year-old-malt whisky ice cream cones went down a storm; so much so that the crews asked for more at their barbeque on the Wednesday evening. Portavadie also arranged a stunning surprise ? a Fife-shaped cake made by local bakers
Happyhills Cakes to celebrate the 90th birthdays of Fife boats Kentra and Astor. Iain Jurgensen, Portavadie?s General Manager, had the honour of raising the flag that started ?The Bure Race? from Portavadie back to Largs on Thursday morning.
THE FIFE REGATTA
The reknowned five-yearly
Fife Regatta is took place this year from 28th June - 5th July on the Clyde and surrounding areas. We were pleased to support the event as the regatta fleet sailed through Argyll?s Secret Coast. The boats, ranging from 20 to 100ft in length, were a striking sight as they race through the area?s stunning scenery.
The Fife boats were designed and built by one of Scotland?s most famous boat builders, William Fife, in the Clyde Estuary during the 19th century. The Fife Regatta is a chance to celebrate their beauty in the waters of their birth. This event is sponsored by
Event Scotland as part of the
Year of Natural Scotland, which celebrates Scotland?s outstanding natural beauty.
