North coast shipshape as community boat ‘Grace’ takes to the water in public launch from Bettyhill
A project to build a rowing boat for communities along the north coast culminated in its ceremonial launch last Saturday.
The new rowing boat, named Grace, was launched from Bettyhill pier with a crew of three on board, watched by a large crowd of local people and visitors.
Strathnaver Museum joined forces with the North Sutherland Community Trust at the start of the year to progress the Fishing Around Project.
The trust has been running boat-building workshops for volunteers at its Borgie Cabin site since January, with a polycrub erected to provide shelter for the boat during construction.
Expert boat builder Jeff Mackie from Stromness has been supervising the volunteer boat builders.
Fiona Mackenzie, museum project manager, said: “The community support and enthusiasm for the Fishing Around project has been phenomenal.
“It was wonderful to see the culmination of over 2000 hours of volunteer work witnessed by almost 80 folk.”
The new boat is a replica of one called the Iris, which was built around 150 years ago and is now held by Strathnaver Museum.
Funding for the project came from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Highland Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, the Tesco Community Fund, and the Co-op Community Fund.
Volunteer boat builders chose the name Grace from suggestions made by local primary school children. Pupils at the North Coast Campus worked in teams to come up with a name, and two teams incorporated the word Grace. ‘Grace of Sutherland’ was suggested by a team from Farr Primary School and ‘Grace of the Ocean’ by pupils from Tongue Primary School.
Last Saturday’s celebrations began with a series of exhibitions documenting the boat-building project and showcasing the work of two artists in residence recently appointed by Strathnaver Museum.
Debasis Biswas’ Sail to Plate project explores the heritage and conservation of salmon and salmon fishing on the north coast; he is producing a documentary featuring people who have worked in and supported the salmon fishing industry.
Joanne B Kaar’s project Shipshape is about the heritage of boat building. She will be working with schools and the local community using a variety of printmaking techniques with a focus on woodcut to preserve the tools, techniques, and language of boat building.
Those attending the launch were welcomed by Fiona Mackenzie and Dr Andreas Herfurt, chairman of the North West Sutherland Community Forest Trust, who recited a special ode composed by Bard in Residence Irene Ross. Rosemary Macintosh, who coordinated the project, thanked all those involved. They were then led to Bettyhill pier by piper Shona Munro.
Jeff Mackie toasted Grace at 3pm before she took to the water. Accordionist Andy Munro played at the launch.
Work will now be carried out to provide a mast and sail for Grace and on boat maintenance and sail training activities.