On Friday 1st May 2026, Wigtown Bay Coastal Rowing Club hosted Annan, Portpatrick, Stranraer and Hippo Coastal Rowing Clubs, as we welcomed the traditional tribute to a St Ayles skiff, built by amazing traditional boat builder Gai McGarva into the fleet.
Eala, Gaelic for Swan, named at the launch, was rowed first by trainees gaining Gail’s amazing expertise from Whithorn Rebuild; Adam Molyneux, Mihai Bittel and Jayden Saxton, and volunteer builder Stewart Wilson. Coxed by Martin Robinson, the solid wood craft, constructed with copper rivets with oiled finish, was anointed with salt, as a group of singers from Cairn Chorus, SongWave, Catstrand and Dark Sky, led by choir leader Kate Howard performed traditional songs. With help from Simon Messinger, Gail explained some of the history of the craft paying tribute to Iain Oughtred, boat designer and his inspiration, a FairIsle skiff named ‘Daisy’. This traditional tribute to the St Ayles skiff was constructed in Whithorn in the old fire station, bought and refurbished with funding from South of Scotland Enterprise and the Holywood Trust. The Holywood Trust supported the Whithorn Rebuild trainees to complete their work.
An oar salute from representatives of all the coastal rowing clubs from the south coast of Dumfries and Galloway, cheers, and a sea procession, accompanied the launch, demonstrating what an amazing community coastal rowers are.
The Isle of Whithorn Heritage Group were on hand to share the heritage of boat building, rowing, fishing, regattas and sailing that the Isle has.
The launch was followed by a buffet provided by St Ninians Hall, to which all rowers, singers, audience and everyone in the village was invited.
The event was supported by Wigtown Bay Coastal Rowing Club, the Isle of Whithorn Community Council, the Kilgallioch Community Fund, and private donation. A truly fabulous village event, bringing traditional craft to life.
‘This ‘Traditional Tribute to the St Ayles Skiff’ is a celebration of the Scottish Coastal Rowing community and their passion for rowing. It is a tribute to the late Iain Oughtred, boat designer, and shines a light on the endangered craft of traditional wooden boat building. A beacon of hope for the future of the craft.’ Gail McGarva.
Images courtesy of Richard Lucas Gallery64. For high resolution images please contact wigtownbaycoastalrowing@gmail.com. Richard was shore contact for all skiffs, as well as photographer for this event.
Volunteers bring our coastal rowing community to life. We are incredibly grateful to our friends from clubs for taking the time to join us at the Isle, and to club members Naomi Chappell, and Babs Bryan, who stepped in to beach master roles at a moment’s notice enabling all skiffs to launch and retrieve safely.