Fife Classic Yachts Converge on the Firth of Clyde
Caroline Blatter 15 Jun 2022 Scotland / United Kingdom / Northern Europe, The Baltic & Northern Latitudes / Regattas & Cruising Rallies / About/General Information
A unique Regatta is underway this week in the Firth of Clyde and Loch Fyne, Scotland!
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The Richard Mille Fife Regatta (10th-17th June 2022) is the largest ever gathering of Fife yachts in the world – 23 classic Fifes are spending the week sailing and competing in three different classes. This is the fifth edition of this special Regatta which started in 1998, with 10 yachts.
The universe is bestowing every combination of weather, wind, glimpses of sun and some flat seas on these classics and their crew – thank goodness for good wet weather gear!
Photo - Gotz Gobbert
The Fife dynasty of genius gifted craftsmen started at the beginning of the 19th century, with a Mr William Fife I building fishing boats and trading craft on the foreshore at Fairlie. His dream was to build ‘fast and bonnie’ sailing boats, which William Fife II achieved, the yard building mainly sailing yachts from 1849 onwards.
William Fife III was probably the most famous of this family dynasty of genius craftsmen. He joined his father in partnership in the shipyard in 1885, and is remembered for his designs for Sir Thomas Lipton’s America’s Cup challengers Shamrock I and Shamrock III, his 6metre classe designs, various one-designs classes, many beautiful cruising yachts and ocean racers. He died in 1944 and Fairlie was sold after the Second World War.
Photo - Marc Turner
Elegant pedigree classics are certainly gracing the west coast of Scotland this week, ranging from the oldest 38ft Ayshire Lass (1887) and at 19ft, Red is the smallest (1886/ 2021).
Three 105ft Gaffs, Moonbeam III (1903) , Moonbeam IV (1914) and Kentra (1923), 96ft Mariquita (1911), 82ft The Lady Anne (1912) and 79ft Mariella make up Class 1. Their racing in sometimes challenging conditions is a sight to behold – Scotland is proving to be a mighty fine destination.
For any larger yachts and crew needing logistics support, agency services, fuel bunkering to provisions, scenic helicopter transfers, castle and distillery visits, experienced Chief Officer Kirsty McGilvray, born and bred on the west coast of Scotland,
offers unrivalled local experience, and loves sharing her knowledge of Scotland through her yacht agency Superyachting Scotland.
To find out more and contact Katie McGilvray
at Superyachting Scotland, click here.
Tel: +44 7843 899 864
Email: katy@superyachtingscotland.com
For more information on the Fife Regatta, click here.
Photo - Marc Turner
The renown 'Fife Dragon'
