Ronnie Rusack Flotilla of Lights

LAST year’s Flotilla of Lights, which took place on November 20 along the eastern end of the Union Canal, was held in memory of the late Ronnie Rusack, ‘Mr Lowland Canals’.

Fourteen brightly decorated boats departed from Slateford Aqueduct in the west end of Edinburgh, arriving at Harrison Park to be greeted by large crowds lining almost the entire length of the towpath between the Park and Lochrin Basin, terminus of the canal.

Extensive publicity, in the form of colourful flyers distributed throughout the city, had ensured that there was a large turnout on what was a chilly, moonlit evening and all those children waving lanterns received sweet treats thrown from the passing boats.

Rather ingeniously the flyers advertising the event had plans printed on their reverse, showing how to make a simple paper lantern and this ensured that the illuminated craft had plenty of competition from the crowds thronging the towpath.

The event was organised by the Lowland Canals Association, under the steady hand of Pierre Potel and went off faultlessly. The winner of the prize for best illuminated boat was Christine McKay, in spite of a last-minute canal closure that prevented her bringing her own boat – Dragonfly – to the event.

Unperturbed, Christine immediately adapted her dragonfly-inspired display to a borrowed hire boat: head, wings and all, including a striking illuminated set of hindwings, secured to her shoulders, gyrating authentically as she bobbed around the stern deck, enthusiastically steering the boat to victory.

PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE Winner – Christine McKay – still wearing her dragonfly outfit, is presented with the Fairy Mary Trophy (in memory of Mary Shannon, a much loved and recently deceased boater). The judging was ably performed by children from the participating boats.