ABOUT Appin SKIFF
Appin Skiff Coastal Rowing Club was formed from the Appin Skiff Community Group after the skiff build was completed and the boat launched in early 2022. A launching ceremony was held on the shore at Port Appin, and the skiff was named Nellie G after the late wife of the lead builder.
Since the launch, Nellie G has been out almost every week as we learned how to row as a team and how to run a rowing club. In 2023, Nellie G was rowed over 110 times, and we have around 50 members in the club. To enable the Club to keep membership fees low and affordable, we rely on community support with both voluntary financial and in-kind donations. We also actively seek grant funding.
We are now well into another busy year of rowing and have begun fundraising to purchase our second boat. Interested? Why not come along to one of our "try a row" sessions or join the Club.
What is a St. Ayles Skiff?
The St. Ayles skiff was designed by Iain Oughtred and was based on a traditional Faroe Isles skiff. A prototype was built in 2009, with the first six skiffs taking to the water in Anstruther the following year. As of August 2024, 240 boats are registered with the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association with boats also registered in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, France and South Africa. Nellie G is boat number 209 and was built here in Port Appin by local community volunteers - read more about the build on the Club history tab on this page.
Watch a film made to celebrate ten years of St.Ayles skiffing (with great views of castle Stalker in the opening scene):
What if I don’t know how to row?
Very few of us had rowed before getting into Nellie G. We offer gentle starter rows and maintain a training programme so everyone can learn at their own pace. Come along to one of our "try a row" sessions or email [email protected] to see what dates are suitable.
What if I can’t swim very well?
We all wear lifejackets in the boat, carry safety kit on board, have safety training and policies in place and have trained for "man overboard" recovery.
What if I have limited time?
You can join a row whenever it suits you. We use an app called Spond to manage rows and crews and you can join rows at a standard and energy level that suits you.
Isn’t the weather too much for such a small boat?
We have rowed in some challenging conditions and found that Nellie G is a great sea boat and we always reach our limit long before she does.
What do I wear, WHAT DO I bring?
For rowing in the summer months, sports' leggings/top or quick drying clothing is ideal, a windproof jacket, hat/buff and water shoes /trainers that you don't mind getting wet. Bottle of water, sunglasses and sunscreen. For other times of the year, wearing layers is the best advice! Club lifejackets are supplied.
CAN I TRY WITHOUT JOINING?
Yes of course - we have regular "try a row" sessions where we make space for new members. Everyone is welcome, new rowers can come along a few times to see how you like it before joining the Club (we're hoping you'll love it!). Email [email protected] to find out about the next available "try a row" session.
How do I join?
To join, download and complete a membership form and return to our membership secretary at [email protected].
You must agree to abide by our d Conditions for membership>.
Single annual membership is £35 per year. As an inclusive Club, concessionary membership fees are available, just get in touch with our Captain by email to [email protected].
Where is the skiff based?
We have the Boathouse in Port Appin (between the shop and the old pier) and we also launch from Linnhe Marine (just north of Appin off the A828, opposite Shuna Island). Rows alternate between the boathouse and Linnhe Marine depending on tides and weather. Come and say hello if you see us at either location (see location maps on our Contact page),
The Early Years
It all began one cold January night in 2015 when a meeting at Appin Fire Station saw Appin Community Skiff come into being, with the aim of joining the growing project to reconnect coastal communities with the sea by building and rowing a St Ayles skiff.
With only a constitution and committee to its name, the group’s focus was initially on fundraising, buying the kit and wood needed for the build and finding a suitable location.
Huge efforts by members included a ceilidh, quiz night, litter picks, raffles and sales of gift cards and bakery – and not to forget Splat the Rat at the Appin Show. Funds raised were supplemented by generous donations from local organisations, businesses and individuals, and eventually Appin Skiff was not only able to take out a lease for Port Appin boathouse but had a boat kit to go in it. After yet more fundraising - to weatherproof the boathouse and install electricity - the build started in December 2017.
The Build
The build team, led by Ken Groom, began working their way steadily through the complexities of the St Ayles kit. “Turning the hull” was celebrated in June 2019, the milestone marking completion of the outer hull and start of the interior fit out.
Work then stopped completely for the best part of a year when COVID-19 struck in 2020. One positive note from this downtime, however, was in securing use of the boathouse. With support from local councillors, ownership of the boathouse was transferred from Argyll & Bute council to Appin Community Development Trust in summer 2021 giving the skiff project a home in which to complete construction – and beyond.
When the build was finally able to resume, it was still limited to working in small groups, and so it was not until the end of 2021 that the first “sea trials” took place. The skiff, resplendent in the blue and grey colours chosen in a community competition, was then formally named “Nellie G” in tribute to Ken’s late wife and launched with a splash of Oban whisky in front of a turnout of well over a hundred in February 2022.
A COASTAL ROWING CLUB
Now renamed as Appin Skiff Coastal Rowing Club, the launch was the start of the project’s second phase on the water. Regular rows all year round have attracted a growing membership, now reaching around 50 members, the majority of whom are regular rowers. Subject to weather, there are usually 3 rows a week – the skiff had more than 100 outings in 2023. The Club has a warm and welcoming ethos - newcomers or practised rowers are equally welcomed, whether rowing for fitness, fun or “to win”. Behind the scenes the Club has worked hard to develop a training and safety programme to ensure that rows are carried out safely.
As well as regular rows at home, the skiff has travelled to take part in the wider coastal rowing community. The Club has rowed up to Loch Leven to take part in the launch of the Glencoe skiff and travelled to Tiree (via CalMac!) to row with the local club amidst the island’s stunning scenery. Nellie G joined three other skiffs for a circumnavigation of Seil, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Seil skiff and the Club has hosted the Loch Awe and Glencoe skiffs at a summer get-together at Linnhe Marine.
The Club has also dipped its toe in competitive rowing, coming a respectable third in its first ever event, the 24km Loch Awe race in 2022, and being the first St Ayles skiff home in the 2023 Monster the Loch race on Loch Ness.
None of this would be possible without a committed membership, but also without the generosity of many supporters, both individuals and businesses, who have helped us over the years resulting in today’s active and lively Club. Looking back, as a community we can take great satisfaction from meeting our original aims of bringing the community of Appin, and now further afield too, into a closer connection with our wonderful coastal environment.
Elaine Venters
RESOURCES>
Coming soon - Club documents and other resources.