It was a world first! Over 30 teams from as far away as Australia and North America had travelled to Scotland to take part in the first World Skiff Championships. The shingle beach in Ullapool was crowded with the small craft — the St Ayles Skiffs. Each of them had its allotted space and the crews gathered alongside their boats. Unlike previous regattas, this one was run over a week with a wide variety of races to suit all ages and abilities.
The small town of Ullappol on the shores of Loch Broom in the North West of Scotland was chosen in part because of its sheltered waters and in part because of the warm, Highland welcome offered by the townsfolk. The only thing the organisers couldn’t control was the weather – but right on cue, the sun shone and even the midges stayed away. The Caledonian Mercury was there.