[first]It’s just a few days now until the beginning of the West Highland Yachting Week, which this year is in its 67th year.[/first]
It’s a sailing regatta from centre to centre, providing an ever-changing scene for competitors, both afloat and ashore. This competition is the biggest sailing event based in Croabh Haven, Oban and Tobermory (Isle of Mull) on Scotland’s west coast. This year it is held from 12th July to 18th July 2014.
The event began in 1882 when the committee of Royal Highland Yacht Club held a regatta in Oban in two different classes “yachts under forty and yachts over forty tons”. In 1947 all the local sailing clubs in the area “Oban Sailing Club, Western Isles Yacht club and Royal Highland Yacht club” decided to unify their regattas. The biggest event was set up with each club contributing two days regatta so the race became a six day regatta. In the new race format, the management of the event was handed over to a Joint Regatta Committee made up of five representatives from each club, with additional co-opted members. Nowadays, the event is managed in the same way.
One outstanding moment in the regatta history was the Golden and Diamond Jubilee edition with over 200 yachts competing in these memorable events, although many would say that every West Highland Week event is unforgettable.
On Saturday 12th July, the race will start from Craobh Haven. A fleet will be racing down the sound of Kerrera and the finish line will be at Craobh Haven Marina.
On Sunday 13th July, the whole fleet will be together for the race. All the participants will be racing at Loch Melfort. It would be an amazing opportunity to see all the yachts from our hotel before starting the race.
On Monday 14th July, the whole fleet will be racing up to Oban and it will be the base until Wednesday. The races will finish on Friday, 18th July in the Sound of Mull.
West Highland Yachting Week has become one of the leading international yachting events, with a combination of round the buoys and passage racing. This event is not just a sailing race; it also offers a full and varied programme of family social events such as barbecue party, ceilidh show, live music among other activities.
I would definitely recommend our guest to join this experience. Everyone is welcome to discover this yachting event. I also would like to mention a new event running in the Scotland’s west coast in two weeks time called “Cruise in Company”. It will be held from 18th to 25th July 2014.
This cruise navigates through Argyll and the isles. Yachts will be navigating from Crinan Canal among other places before reaching the Clyde ready for the Commonwealth Flotilla. There are many spectator points for seeing all the boats during the cruise. This cruise will be a challenge and joy to all who take part.
