14 August in News
Sponsored by The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) for the fourth year in a row, the Regatta was the climax of the annual Sheildaig Fete. SSC Senior Marine Sites Manager for the area Dougie MacLeod presented the Liz Pritchard Memorial Trophy and a side of Scottish smoked salmon to Stuart Mack, Captain of the triumphant Boatie Blest.
11 coastal rowing clubs* from across Scotland competed on the 1.75km race course, which circumnavigates Shieldaig Island, with the champion collecting the most cumulative points across five categories - Men and Women’s Decades, Mixed Gender Open, and Men and Women’s Open. Overall there were four different winners, with Boatie Blest triumphant in the Men’s Decades and Men’s Open, Avoch leading the way in Women’s Decades, St Andrews championing the Mixed Open and Cromarty coming first in the Women’s Open.
A key fixture in the region, the event has continued to grow in popularity since relaunching in 2015. Festivities saw locals and visitors alike enjoy live music and indulge in the best Scottish food and drink. A minute’s silence was also held in tribute to longstanding member of the Sheildaig community, Mr Duncan Matheson, who recently passed away.
Craig Anderson, Chief Executive at The Scottish Salmon Company, said: “Well done to all of this year’s competitors, and congratulations to the race organisers for once again putting together an incredible Regatta.
“We’re delighted to sponsor such a wonderful community event, especially one that promotes our shared ethos of promoting health and wellbeing. It is an honour to support the Shieldaig Coastal Rowing Regatta, and to see it get bigger and better every year.”
Lisa O’Brien, Chair of the Shieldaig and Loch Torridon Rowing Club, added: “Congratulations to Boatie Blest for winning the 2018 Shieldaig Regatta with an impressive 52 points, and well done to everyone who took part.
“Our thanks must go to The Scottish Salmon Company for their support, which has helped the Regatta to continue to grow.“
Clubs competing:
