Courtesy of the Aberdeen Press and Journal @ http://www.pressandj...265545?UserKey=
Craft with Scottish links across the decades start Homecoming voyage
Flotilla of varied vessels makes its way through Caledonian Canal to Inverness
By ken jones
Published: 17/06/2009
The spectacular Caledonian Canal yesterday carried a flotilla of craft back in time to help celebrate the Highlands’ culture and history.
From the Silver Lynx, a 33ft Scottish yacht, which has raced and cruised the west coast for 27 years, to the galley Aileach, a 40ft wooden open clinker-built boat, the only replica of a Scottish Highland galley built, they brought back memories of a bygone era.
The vessels were assembled near Neptune’s Staircase at Banavie, on the outskirts of Fort William for The Crossing, British Waterways’ contribution to Scotland’s Year of the Homecoming celebrations.
The international flotilla of 16 craft then set out yesterday afternoon to sail the length of the canal, one of Britain’s engineering masterpieces.
They were given a rousing send-off by local civic leaders and tourism bosses among a crowd of tourists, locals and enthusiastic schoolchildren.
The colourful flotilla included a 1912 coastal Dutch sailing Tjalk, which had plied between Scotland and the Netherlands, with Grace Ritchie, the former 70ft ex-RNLI Clyde Class lifeboat that for 20 years was stationed at Kirkwall.
There was special interest in another lifesaver, the ex-RNLI vessel Canadian Pacific, built at Dunoon with funding from the steamship company and which is credited with saving 250 lives, including those of World War II servicemen, before being taken out of service in 1969.
There is plenty of shore-side entertainment and water-borne entertainment as the flotilla makes the five-day 60-mile journey to the Muirtown Basin in Inverness.
A programme of theatre and spectacle is to be enjoyed at Fort Augustus tomorrow between noon and 6pm, and on Saturday between noon and 4pm at Muirtown Basin, which is also the venue for the Highlands-wide Food and Drink Produce Fair.
In addition to the produce fair, George McIvor, fellow and former chairman of the Master Chefs of Great Britain, will be inspiring visitors with a programme of demonstrations.
The magnificent Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness will also be a stunning and dramatic setting for the flotilla as it berths there on Friday between noon and 2pm.
British Waterways Scotland director Steve Dunlop said: “The Crossing is a unique mix of activities celebrating the valued contribution the Caledonian Canal has made to the Highland communities, heritage and culture over the past 200 years.
“It truly encapsulates the meaning of Homecoming Scotland and we hope that the event will encourage more people to explore Scotland, by joining with the local community and heading north for all or part of The Crossing.”
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Craft with Scottish links across the decades start Homecoming voyage
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Guest_Steve Ellwood_*
, Jun 17 2009 08:00 AM
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#2 Guest_Steve Ellwood_*
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Posted 19 June 2009 - 07:23 AM
Courtesy of the BBC News Site @ http://news.bbc.co.u...nds/8106847.stm
Flotilla nears final destination
A flotilla of historic and modern craft are nearing the end of a journey along the Caledonian Canal.
The Crossing - a five-day British Waterways Scotland event held as part of Homecoming Scotland - started from Neptune's Staircase in Banavie.
Covering a 60-mile route, it is due to end on Saturday at Muirtown Basin in Inverness.
The flotilla includes RNLI lifeboats, a replica Highland galley and old trading boats.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.u...nds/8106847.stm
Published: 2009/06/19 00:24:52 GMT
Flotilla nears final destination
A flotilla of historic and modern craft are nearing the end of a journey along the Caledonian Canal.
The Crossing - a five-day British Waterways Scotland event held as part of Homecoming Scotland - started from Neptune's Staircase in Banavie.
Covering a 60-mile route, it is due to end on Saturday at Muirtown Basin in Inverness.
The flotilla includes RNLI lifeboats, a replica Highland galley and old trading boats.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.u...nds/8106847.stm
Published: 2009/06/19 00:24:52 GMT
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