Coastal rowers at Strathpeffer and District Community Rowing Club are celebrating the launch of their second St Ayles Skiff – a 21ft wooden rowing boat.
The club is a member of the Dingwall Community Sports Hub, provided by High Life Highland, and launched its first hand-built skiff back in September 2018.
Since then the club has grown its membership and has regular year-round rows from its base at Storehouse of Foulis, just off the A9 near the Cromarty Bridge.
The new skiff was formally named ‘Tern’ by Quintin and Michelle Stevens – owners of the Storehouse at the slip.
Club Chairman Tor Justad said: “This is the result of many months of work by a small team of builders and the Club is grateful to all funders for the funding provided – the skiff will be used by many people of all ages for many years and coastal rowing has many physical and mental health benefits.
“Our goal is to bring together members of our community through building and rowing our own St Ayles Skiff. Coastal rowing is a fun group activity that can be tailored to all abilities.
“We were the first public inshore club to build and row their own St Ayles skiff. Our first boat is named ‘Grebe’, after the rare Slavonian Grebe that can be seen on inland lochs around Strathpeffer.”
Members of the club now come from all over the area, from Tain to Inverness, and Strathconon to Moniack.
Community Sport Hubs bring together sport clubs and community organisations which want to develop and grow the sporting offering in the community.
They focus on sustainable, community-led approaches that get clubs and groups working together to develop welcoming, safe, and fun environments for sport and activity.
Visit https://www.highlifehighland.com/sport/community-sport-hubs/ to find out more and for more information and to join Strathpeffer Rowing Club, visit www.strathpefferrowing.co.uk
