Findhorn’s first St Ayles Skiff “Joppa” (the name that local loons and quines called Findhorn) was built in the village and launched on Saturday 9th May 2015 and was welcomed into Findhorn Bay by skiffs and crews from Ardersier, Avoch, Burghead, Portsoy and Collieston rowing clubs. We have since added a second skiff ‘Mairi’ which was built by the Findochty club, sold onto Cullen Sea School and then bought by us using funds from the People’s Lottery Fund.
The Scottish Fisheries Museum commissioned the design for a St Ayles Skiff, in order to encourage coastal communities to revive their rowing regattas. The skiffs are built from a kit, which means they can be put together with a basic knowledge of DIY.
Joppa is 22ft long and is crewed by four oarsmen and/or women plus a cox. Anyone over 16 years old is welcome to come along, our oldest member so far is in their 90’s!
We try and get out on Joppa as often as we can weather permitting, some evenings during the late spring/summer and most Saturdays and Sundays, you don’t need to have any previous rowing experience to join in. Our rowing shed is up the lane beside the Kimberley Inn which is on the village foreshore facing Findhorn Bay and you’ll find a notice board on the shed door with contact details and forthcoming event information.
Our current Membership fee is £45 per person per annum.
A membership form can be downloaded here: