'kirsty'

A wee bit of history...

Based on the lines of the Loch Fyne Skiff fishing vessels, Kirsty was built in 1921 on the island of Bute to the designs of her original owner David Mowat who wanted a rugged no-nonsense family cruising boat in which to cruise the Western isles. Sturdy construction of pitch pine on grown oak frames, combines with a graceful sheer sweeping upwards to the high stern so typical of the skiffs. (Sadly only a few L. Fyne skiffs still survive) The result is a comfortable seakindly boat especially suited to our northern waters. She is 37 ft. long plus bowsprit, is a gaff rigged ketch and weighs 15 tonnes. Down below is a wooden clad cosy saloon with a solid fuel stove, perfect for wee ceilidhs on dreich days.

Kirsty remained in Scottish waters until 1955 when she was sold to a flight lieutenant in the Royal Airforce, and remained in the south of England until my husband Andy Law and I brought her back from Falmouth to the Oban area in 1997.

When we bought Kirsty we inherited a box of goodies. Her past owners had carefully kept the register of owners, magazine and newspaper clippings, letters, bill of sales and photographs that were associated with the boat - and it makes for interesting and nostalgic reading. Included is a letter written by an elderly lady (Jean Hunter) from a nursing home in Bute, reminiscing about the days when Kirsty was under construction. She watched the launch in 1921 and was aboard during her maiden voyage. When Fran and Peter Flutter (who lived aboard Kirsty for 25 years) sailed to Bute to visit the boatyard in the 80's, Jean Hunter was sadly unaware of this event and never saw the boat again. Heartbreaking stuff! However, I'm sure she would be please to hear that Kirsty is still well cared for and back sailing on the waters of her home turf.

 

Pat Law

 

scandalised off Ulva