HRH The Princess Royal visits Ullapool to open the World Skiff Championships
Yesterday, (Monday 8 July) HRH The Princess Royal arrived by helicopter in Ullapool to open the inaugural St Ayles Skiff World Championships.
She arrived at the harbour to the rousing sound of the Ullapool and District Junior Pipe Band and was cheered by crowds of people who had lined the seafront and were enjoying the sunshine.
After first taking to the water onboard a Rib Boat to join the flotilla of Skiffs, HRH returned to the pier to meet the organisers and many of the 260 crew members from 31 clubs from as far afield as the USA, Australia and the Netherlands, plus crews from across Scotland and England.
Over the two and a half hours visit the Princess Royal had a chance to also meet and chat to local school children, young Highland dancers who joined the Ullapool & District Junior Pipe Band to entertain the crowds, residents from Lochbroom House and Mo Dhachaidh Nursing Home, representatives from Made in Ullapool and invited guests from the local community.
Competitive races organized by the Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club under the auspices of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association begin today and run until Saturday 13 July. As well as hosting 700 coastal rowers, the village is gearing up to welcoming hundreds of spectators
Over a week’s racing, mens, womens and mixed crews will compete in age categories from Under 17 to Over 60. The St Ayles Skiff class has been very successful in Scotland, built by rowing groups from a kit, and it has been especially popular among women rowers who have taken to the sport in big numbers.