What’s next for the two boats?

It’s been a couple of weeks since we launched The Tommy Mackenzie and Seonaid met us on the shores of Portree Harbour. The Plockton rowers were a hardy bunch, rowing 4 and 20 miles over to Portree in some challenging conditions, and it was so nice to have everyone with us cheering and playing them into the Harbour. The gauntlet has been laid down now for the future Portree rowing team!

Seonaid has spent the last couple of months on a mooring in Plockton Harbour, with people going out for rows regularly. With the high winds forecast she was taken out of the water and is at the hangar, awaiting the trailer and launching trolley to arrive. This will make it much easier for the skiff to be launched.

Currently, The Tommy Mackenzie is safe back in the boatshed, as we wait for the trailer, launching trolley and covers to arrive. This might take a few weeks. After that the boat can stay outside on its trolley. We’re looking for a spot to keep the boat that would allow for easy launching into the water, let us know if you have any ideas!

In November, there will be a row introduction day, Malcolm will be there and we’ll cover the basics on safety on the water, introduction to coxswain and how to access the boat. There’ll be a growing list of names of people who can confidently take the boats out. To get updates about the November date, or if you have experience and would like to help send us an email to row@atlasarts.org.uk and we’ll pass this on.

Given the changeable weather, the November date may take place with short notice – don’t worry if you can’t make it, and you’d like to gain experience, we’ll find other ways to share and learn together.