Tayinloan goes quackers over its first duck race
Tayinloan was awash with more than 100 visitors on Saturday as the village went quackers for its first ever duck race.
People from the length and breadth of Kintyre, as well as holiday-makers from further afield, gathered to watch as 462 bright yellow rubber ducks bobbed down Tayinloan Burn in a race to the finish line.
The weather could not have been better for the occasion, with rain in the week preceding the race keeping the water flowing at a good pace, but beautiful sunshine on the day itself.
After the race, everyone was invited to Tayinloan Village Hall where the winners were announced.
As well as prizes for the first 24 ducks across the finish line, there were also prizes for one randomly drawn lucky duck, the best named duck and the last duck to cross the finish line.
The new owners of Tayinloan Shop, which reopened this month following renovations, chose the best named duck, Monty, which was submitted by three people so the winner was drawn at random.
The awards up for grabs included original paintings, an overnight shepherd’s hut stay, music festival tickets, cash prizes, meal vouchers, whisky, salmon and much more, with the winners invited to choose their own prize. There were also guess the number of sweeties in the jar and guess the bear’s birthday competitions, as well as a raffle.
The event was organised by Rhunahaorine Parent Council to raise funds so the school's old, unsafe playground equipment can be replaced.
After the prizegiving, there was an optional buffet of soup, sandwiches and home-baking, made by members of the parent council and their family and friends, to help boost the total amount raised on the day.
Between the sale of ducks – which were £5 each – and the games and buffet on the day, the fundraiser made £2,976.11, which means the school will now be able to give its pupils “the playground they deserve”.
A spokesperson for Rhunahaorine Parent Council said: “We would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in making the first Tayinloan duck race a great success. It was fabulous to sell so many ducks and see so many people come along on the day.
“We are very grateful to the following businesses and individuals for their donations of prizes and support: North Muasdale Farm, Sloan Builders, Carradale Music Festival, The Gather, Number Forty Two, The Ardshiel Hotel, Gigha Boats & Activity Centre, Killegruer Caravan Site, Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, Springbank Distillery, Chelsea Willis Photography, Bakkafrost, Mowi, Campbeltown Picture House, Muasdale Stores, The Boathouse Restaurant, Muneroy, Tayinloan Stores, Sweetie Galore, Wee Toon Carver, Argyll Bakeries, Maggie Young, Small Things Boutique, Joseph Loganbill, Tan Black Cakes, The Courier Centre and The Kintyre Larder.
“We would like to thank all parents and family members who helped on the day and provided food for the buffet. We would also like to thank Warren and Sean Harvey and Logan O’Hanlon for their work in the burn on race day and Rebecca Harvey for her window display at The Courier Centre and for selling ducks for us. Thanks also to Will Anderson at Muasdale Stores for selling ducks and for providing us with soup cups on the day.
“Our thanks also go to Saddell and Carradale Parish Church for its donation of 400 ducks, which was a great start.
“Finally, a massive thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Marilyn Shedden, who has played a huge part in organising the duck race, from start to finish, and who did a fantastic job of keeping things running smoothly on the day.”