Ready, steady row!
Coastal rowing clubs from all over Scotland raced against each other on Loch Awe as part of a special regatta adventure, writes Kathie Griffiths.
Loch Awe Coastal Rowing Club (LACRC), based at Taychreggan, hosted the event that was the first of its kind on a freshwater loch this year.
More than 150 rowers and spectators from 11 other coastal rowing clubs from north at Fortrose to south at Prestwick and Arran arrived at Dalavich for a weekend last month.
As well as touring the loch, the rowers and their supporters camped and enjoyed a ceilidh with local musicians and food from the Wild Rowan café.
A klaxon heralded the start of the 11km race from in front of Dalavich Community Centre to Taychreggan, involving 48 rowers and 12 coxswains of all ages and fitness levels with oars propelling brightly coloured hulls along bright strips of water.
‘After just under two hours of rowing against north easterly winds the crews were treated to tea and coffee outside the Taychreggan hotel before some clubs changed crews and headed back in lighter waters in under an hour and a half to check their times and blisters!
‘The winning trophy was awarded to Avoch on the south east coast of the Black Isle, with Arran coming second and local club Appin and the Foccers from Largs sharing third place,’ said LACRC’s Melanie Grey.