Fifes on the Clyde

Joanna Dixon reports on the historic gathering

See Mark Pepper and Marc Turner's photo gallery from the Fife regatta .

The world's largest ever gathering of William Fife yachts has just taken place on the Clyde. The yachts that were designed and built by the Fife family from Fairlie, Ayrshire portray not only the great skill of the family and the craftsmen but also an incredible era for yacht design and sailing on the Clyde.

The 22 participating yachts travelled from all over the world to be at this event. There is a strong following for the Fife yachts that are easily recognised by their fine aesthetic shape and the presence of the carved symbol of the Fife Dragon. For many years these yachts raced competitively on the Clyde and were internationally sought for high profile racing. Boats such as The Lady Anne, a 95’ Gaff Cutter won many trophies in the early 1920 ’s before moving from the Clyde. This boat returned for the regatta and proved that she is just as incredible as before by securing 1st place in Class one of the 2003 regatta.

The boats began their racing on the Clyde with a race around the Cumbrae islands. The start for this race was in the Largs channel and was a spectacular sight for all watching from ashore and afloat. An estimated 200 spectator boats were out to watch this magical moment that has never been seen before on such a scale. Sunday saw a repeat at the start area but this time the wind was stronger and the boats powered out of the starting line.

Adix, a 220’ three masted schooner who was a guest of the event sailed ahead of the Fife yachts heading for Rhu. The next race day was Tuesday and the course was from Rhu to Rothesay. The weather was fantastic and both classes were able to complete the course. The anchored yachts in the bay looked stunning. The 100’ Gaff Ketch, Kentra, was celebrating her 80th birthday and there could not have been a more appropriate setting. As the sun went down another beautiful 3 masted Schooner Shenandoah slipped into harbour to join the Fife yachts and continue with them on their journey back to Largs and Fairlie.

Thursday was the final race of the regatta. Its course took the yachts through the Kyles of Bute to their start line off Tighnabruaich. It is not every day that the Kyles of Bute has 2 three masted schooners and a collection of classic yachts dating back to 1890 sailing through and it was truly incredible sight. A force 3 from the South provided excellent conditions for the earlier part of the race but unfortunately the wind died
later in the day. Unfortunately many of the class one boats did not finish within the time limit.

This did not upset the atmosphere of the regatta and the yachts arrived back into Largs to the firing of cannons and a sail-by by the Waverley (the last sea going paddle steamer in the world). The boats sailed in two classes differentiated by their size and speed. They results were calculated on a handicap system to provide overall positions for the four races. The winner in class one was The Lady Anne (1912) and class two was won by Rosemary (1925).