THE launch of Strathpeffer & District Community Rowing Club's new skiff, Tern, was witnessed by around 200 people at a moving event on Saturday.

Master builder Angus MacInnes was joined by fellow volunteer Andy Wilcox as he pulled the St. Ayles skiff towards the Foulis Ferry slip next to the Storehouse in Easter Ross. It was lovingly built in a barn at Brahan over several months and joins Grebe.

There was a poignant moment for club chairman Tor Justad when the Invergordon RNLI lifeboat Agnes AP Barr appeared on the horizon to join the celebration. His late mother's name is amongst thousands featured on the vessel under its Launch a Memory scheme.

And more memories were made as Storehouse proprietor Quintin Stevens spoke of his pleasure having the club based there and poured a symbolic dram of Glen Wyvis whisky from a specially commissioned quaich to name her.

Club funders including the EDF Strathpeffer Fund, Port of Cromarty Firth and Mackenzie New York Villa Trust were acknowledged.

Support from the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association was also noted and several local clubs were represented at the launch, highlighting the social aspect of the resurgent sport.

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A first crew of some of the builders –Andy Wilcox, Rob Raynor, Louis Taylor and Allan Mackintosh – were joined by Quintin Stevens who then rowed in the Firth, welcomed by the Sutor Skiffies, coxed by Ingrid Rochford, and the club’s first skiff, Grebe.

The club is always looking for new members and looks forward to offering some Come & Try sessions in the spring. To find out more, contact can be made via the website strathpefferrowing.co.uk or secretary Neil Moscrop at nwmoscrop@gmail.com

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