Launch of a new Community Boat at Bettyhill

Strathnaver Museum and North Sutherland Community Forest Trust (NWSFT) proved they were shipshape last Saturday (28 September) as north Sutherland’s new community boat took to the sea.

The Fishing Around project was funded through with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Highland Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, Tesco Community Fund, and Co-op Community Fund.

The celebration began with a series of exhibitions in Farr Edge documenting the boat building project and showcasing the work of two of Strathnaver Museum’s recently appointed Artists in Residence. The artists draw on aspects of the boat build project exploring the heritage of fishing and boat building.

Debasis Biswas is exploring the heritage and conservation of salmon and salmon fisheries along the north coast and had some of the artwork he has produced as part of the project on display. As part of his Salt to Plate project Debasis is producing a documentary featuring folk who worked within and supported the salmon fisheries in the area.

Joanne B. Kaar, whose project Shipshape explores the intangible heritage surrounding boat building had on display prints and artists books. Joanne will be working with schools and the local community using a variety of printmaking techniques with a focus on woodcut to preserve the tools, techniques, and language surrounding these traditional skills.

The assembled party were welcomed by Dr Andreas Herfurt of NWSCFT which hosted the boat build project and Fiona Mackenzie of Strathnaver Museum. The boat is a replica of the Iris held by Strathnaver Museum built about 150 years ago which fished out of Kirtomy. Rosemary Macintosh coordinated the project and thanked everyone involved in the project before Andreas treated the assembly to a special ode composed by Bard in Residence Irene Ross.

The group then progressed to the Bettyhill Pier, led by piper Shona Munro. A large group gathered to watch the launch, entertained by Andy Munro on the accordion.

At 3pm Orkney boat builder, Jeff Mackie, toasted ‘Grace’ and she was launched with a crew of three. The name of the community boat was selected by the volunteer boat builders from suggestions made by the local primary school pupils.

The pupils from the North Coast Campus worked in teams and two teams incorporated the word Grace. The ‘Grace of Sutherland’ was suggested by a team from Farr Primary and Grace of the Ocean by pupils from Tongue Primary School.

Fiona Mackenzie, Strathnaver Museum said:

“The community support and enthusiasm for the Fishing Around project has been phenomenal and it was wonderful to see the culmination of over 2,000 hours of volunteer labour witnessed by almost 80 folk. The team are busy working on plans for Stage II to incorporate a mast and sail, boat maintenance, and sail training activities.”

Strathnaver Museum is a rural history museum in Bettyhill which explores the life in the province of Strathnaver. The museum has exhibits from early history through to the modern period and stages regular events, special exhibitions and performances. The main themes explored by Strathnaver Museum are the emergence of Clan Mackay, the Highland Clearances and agricultural life.

Find out more about the museum at their website: Strathnaver Museum