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Lovingly handcrafted boat set to sea for first time

Gourdon Coastal Rowing Association has launched its skiff, Maggie
Gourdon Coastal Rowing Association has launched its skiff, Maggie

A rowing boat lovingly handcrafted by a group of Mearns residents was officially launched at the weekend.

The Gourdon Coastal Rowing Club unveiled their pride and joy at an open day at the harbour on Saturday, celebrating the culmination of two years of hard work.

Just a handful of people – boat captain Alex Rowe, Des Neil, Hamish Oag and latterly, Stuart Morris – made the 22ft St Ayles skiff, which will be used for racing or just a leisurely journey along the coastline.

The club also held a competition with Gourdon Primary to find a name for their boat, with Alfie Richie’s suggestion of Maggie – in recognition of Gourdon’s celebrated lifeboat Maggie Law – being emblazoned on the side in time for the unveiling.

Pupils Shaun Garden, Olivia Albiston, Lewis Achison picked the blue and red colour scheme.

The Gourdon skiff was the 99th to be launched in Scotland, and the group was helped by neighbouring Catterline Coastal Rowing Club – who launched their own Spirit of Catterline in 2013.

Emma Myatt, secretary of the club, said she was thrilled the boat was now finished and the group could now practice their rowing and look forward to racing other communities in regattas.

She said: “The day went really well, it was well attended and hopefully we’ve raised a bit of money.

“We first received money as part of Aberdeenshire Council’s regeneration fund and got a team of people together, but it’s been just a few key people who built the boat.

“It was slow to pick up, but now we’ve launched hopefully more people will get involved.”

Committee member Hamish Oag added: “What really made it for us was getting the kids out on the boat on Saturday, as well as other people in the village who have not been involved before. Now it’s open to all, anyone who wants to row can come and enjoy it – that’s the point.”

Ms Myatt, who thanked the village’s Harbour Bar for their support on launch day, added that any other village interested in building their own skiff should speak to Aberdeenshire Council, who own the model and tools.

She added: “It would be really good if more villages built one, like Johnshaven. I would love to see them up and down the coast.”