RTYC 125 Anniversary
East meets West Muster
A Report from “Strumpy”
This gathering of like minded souls as part of the celebration of 125 years of Royal Tay Yacht Club was held on 22 and 23 June in the glorious setting of Fort Augustus on the Caledonian canal. The weather conditions were ideal except for the 2 boats making the passage from the Tay who were unable to attend as they were faced with a severe northerly wind stream requiring extended and uncomfortable refuge in Stonehaven harbour. Yacht “Danna” made the passage from Dundee via Cape Wrath (which they have still to see due to offshore fog). The oldest boat in the fleet (built 1951) “Midnight” and Sonata “Fiddlers Three” circumnavigated a large part of Scotland via the 3 canals, Forth and Clyde, Crinan and Caledonian, a very notable achievement. In all 8 boats and more importantly 34 people (including 7 pissed sorry past commodores of RTYC) mustered for two days of celebration, fun and continual banter.
The “formal” part of the festivities kicked off with a Pimms Pontoon Party with the boats suitably dressed overall. This cocktail was slipping down nicely when a past Commodore decided to fortify the proceedings with a large bottle of gin. His progress later on down the canal bank from his elevated barbecuing position was perhaps indicative that he was more a victim of the juniper addition than others. The “Cluaran Dhu” contingent used the cover of the Pimms Party to affix some unkind (but appropriate) signs on the boat with the “young” crew.
On Day 2 at 1017 hours (he was late for his own 10am briefing) Past Commodore Nicol resplendent in his “Eric Morcambe” khaki shorts briefed the skippers on the grand Loch Ness pursuit race.
The keenly fought race took place in gusty winds and the planned rafting up mid loch at the end of the race had to be abandoned. Also abandoned was the retaking of wedding vows ceremony dreamt up the evening before in an alcoholic haze. It would seem that a certain past commodore’s lady is quite relieved that this did not take place…can’t think why.
In the evening everyone assembled in a local hostelry for a splendid 3 course dinner. Past Commodore Nicol announced the prize winners for the Pursuit Race. The oldest boat in the fleet “Midnight” took line honours and was the winner, “Fiddlers Three” won the Spinnaker Class (only boat) whilst “Danna” got the prize for the best grounding (pretty spectacular given the enormous depths of Loch Ness). Alice Williams defeated her husband soundly to win the golf trophy.
At the close, the oldest member on parade “Alastair Bremner” (aged 92) proposed a toast to the “150 anniversary muster” stating that providing his son is still alive to take him he would be there. It was interesting to watch everyone trying to work out their respective ages plus 25 years and considering the result!
All going well many RTYC members will enjoy a “150 muster” but on the strength of the “125 muster” they will have to go some to beat it.
Footnote: All using the Caledonian Canal were very impressed with the warmth, friendliness and help from the canal staff.....a marked contrast to a number of years ago.
EDITOR'S COMMENT:-
A selection of excellent photographs (provided by Euan Webster, Sandy Bremner and Ross Will) can be viewed on the Photo Gallery section of this Web Site. These are well worth viewing and will let you see that it was obviously an excellent event and why Hugh Scott is looking so despondent?
