Students from six South Ayrshire Council schools were involved in the annual sailing adventure which started this year in Ardrossan Marina on Thursday 30 June, the day after the schools stopped for their summer holiday break.

Three boys and three girls from Muirhead Community School in Troon were the first students to take part in the sailing programme which was held on board the 42 foot yacht ‘DEYA’, whose skipper and crew are members of the Clyde Sail Training Trust.

Convener of the Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee, Councillor Alan Murray said: “ The ten day passage was an exciting adventure for 30 young people from schools across South Ayrshire and gave them all an opportunity to hoist sails, steer a yacht, acquire navigation skills and learn how to work as part of a team.

“It was also an opportunity for them to see the beauty of the west coast of Scotland from the water, and also to observe wildlife at sea.

“I am sure that the experience will have boosted the students confidence and self esteem, which will be of great benefit to them once they start their secondary school education after their holidays.”

Six students from Muirhead Community School, along with staff members Vincent McWhirter, Community Development Officer and Liz Ritchie, Principal Teacher, set sail to Ardrishaig to enter the Crinan canal, gateway to the west coast of Scotland. The yacht was moored in the canal on the first evening and early the next morning it set sail to travel through the scenic nine mile Crinan canal to Loch Crinan on the west coast. The students worked hard all day, opening up the fifteen canal lock gates as they made their way slowly up and over the hills of Argyle, reaching a height of 65 feet above sea level.

After reaching the canal end at Loch Crinan the yacht sailed out into the beautiful sound of Jura, where students saw spectacular views of the Paps of Jura soaring 2600 feet above sea level. Everyone was able to observe the porpoises and seals as the yacht made its way up the coast to the small Marina at Ardfern in Loch Craignish where it was moored for the night.

The next day everyone had an early start to sail to the final destination at Croabh Marina south of Oban. En route there were outstanding views of the gulf of Corryvreckan to admire, including the famous whirlpool and the islands of Sarba, Shuna and Luing that were outlined in the early morning sunshine.

In total the sailing programme lasted for 10 days, during which time students from Ayr Academy, Queen Margaret Academy, Mainholm Academy, Cairn Primary School and Gardenrose Primary School also had a chance to experience sailing to Tobermory, Oban and the Firth of Lorne area.

South Ayrshire Council supported the sailing programme in partnership with other organisations including the Clyde Sail Training Trust, the Association of Sea Training Organisation, the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Association Irvine Branch, Hillhouse Quarries and Portway Charter.

Click on each photograph to view a larger image.

August 2005