Coastal rowers skiff into town

A celebration of coastal rowing in Scotland has brought a fleet of small boats to the Argyll coast as part of a relay around the country.

Row Around Scotland 2021 was organised to mark the tenth anniversary of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association.

With 70 members from clubs throughout the country taking part, the relay aims to connect communities and promote Scotland’s celebrated coastline and scenic waters.

Members of Arran Coastal Rowing Club were handed the baton on July 2 and rowed with it from Lochranza to Tarbert.

On this, the Arran club’s longest row, the weather was dry and bright, but there was quite a swell in the unprotected water over towards

Cloanaig which made for some interesting and challenging rowing.

The first crew made the 20-kilometre row to Tarbert in just under three hours, then the baton was handed over to Arran’s second crew.

The conditions were perfect for the baton to continue its journey, so the crew rowed out of Tarbert harbour and, on calm seas, made the 18-kilometre row to Ardrishaig.

On arrival, Sue Fenton from Isle of Seil Coastal Rowing Club was there to meet the Arran skiff and the baton once again changed hands with Arran passing the baton to Sue.

The following day, Arran club members accompanied the Seil rowers through the Crinan canal as the baton’s journey continued.

The Isle of Seil’s skiff will be back on the water again this weekend, from Ardfern back to Balvicar through the Dorus Mor.