THE EARLY DAYS OF THE REGATTA

The Tiree Association was established in 1900. One of the many good things they have done for the island is to start the regatta, 122 years ago.

1902: ‘The Glasgow Fair folk have left after spending some happy days among the people. The Reef games were greatly enjoyed. It was a time of much happiness and good cheer. Perhaps next year a regatta may be started by the Tiree Association, which would be a great stimulus to the already excellent sailors and boatmen.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 2 August 1902, 6)

1903: ‘This year again there are to be games for a day on The Reef during the Glasgow Fair holidays, and also a regatta, which will be the first of the kind ever held on the island.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 11 July 1903, 6)
I could not find an article that showed that this regatta actually took place. But the following year, there was another report: ‘The annual regatta takes place this week.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 23 July 1904, 6)

The regatta, however, seems to have fallen away:
1908: ‘May I ask a corner of your valuable paper regarding the Tiree Sports and the one-time annual regatta. The Fair folk, along with the Tiree residents, used to appreciate the regatta and hold it in at least equal esteem with the sports. We do not despise the sports, but we are sorry the Tiree Association have parted from an entertaining and interesting competition, and everybody expresses the desire to have it brought into use this year again. The Tiree Association, which we are proud of, should immediately bring the regatta into consideration, and give it a place on the programme as formerly. If the Tiree Association will hold the regatta, I am fully certain that when the Tiree people know of the event being again introduced, their response will be more liberal than it has been since it was deserted, I am, etc., Iain Dubh’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 4 July 1908, 3)

The request was granted. Some of you will recognise the names of the winning boats:
1909: ‘On Wednesday, the annual regatta under the auspices of the Tiree Association was held at Scarinish. Eleven boats entered, and a splendid race ensued. The course was a triangular one, and the scene presented by the boats as they stood away to Ruaig was very picturesque. A large crowd of sight-seers watched the progress of the boats with great interest, from the enthusiasm which the regatta aroused, the Tiree Association would do well to continue this most enjoyable feature of the Fair Holidays. There were five prizes, which were eventually won by the following boats: 1. Times, H. MacInnes, £2; 2. Mary Jane, D. MacDonald, £1 10s; 3. Passing Cloud, Donald Munn, £1; 4. Press Home, Angus Munn, 15s; 5. Mayflower, A. Macdonald, 10s.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 31 July 1909, 7)

1926: ‘The most successful regatta ever held in Tiree, was the verdict of the spectators attending the regatta on Glasgow Fair Monday. Ideal weather conditions prevailed; a brisk breeze from the north-east, a fairly smooth sea and an abundance of sunshine made for the comfort both of those ashore and those afloat. The commodore, Mr F. C. Gunnis, placed his motor yacht at the disposal of the committee, and the yacht was anchored off Scarinish Harbour with the commodore, judges, committee and guests on board. The vice-commodore, Mr Hugh MacDiarmid [the factor], took charge of matters ashore. The boats in the largest sailing class got away to a fairly good start, and some keen sailing was witnessed. Mr James McFadyen’s Jeanie, an able boat, well geared and skilfully handled by the owner (who built this fine craft with the assistance of his son) soon left the rest of the fleet, and cut out a fine lead for herself. She finished the course, taking exactly 1.5 hours to complete the two rounds, at roughly 12 knots. An excellent performance. The next three boats made a very close finish, four seconds separating 2nd and 3rd, and fifty-five seconds separating 4th and 2nd. Mr Colin Campbell’s Katie Ann gained 2nd prize by fifty-five seconds on time allowance. Mr D. MacDonald’s Highland Chief 3rd; and Mr Lachlan MacDonald’s Mary Jane, 4th. All the boats in this class made an excellent appearance, and with some attention paid to sails and gear, even closer finishes may be looked for at the next regatta. The race for sailing boats under 15 feet also produced some very fine sailing. The winning boat, MacDonald’s Caolis Belle, a smart dapper little craft (built by a very young relative of the owner) would give anything her length as keen a race as one could desire. Messrs H. and C. McFadyen, Coalis, were second with their Effie Ann. This boat got the brunt of the left tide when rounding the Gott Bay mark boat, by which time the wind had increased very much in force and these youths sailed their boat at this period in a thoroughly seamanlike manner, which won the admiration of the commodore and officials. Mr Kenneth MacKenzie, Scarinish, also placed his motor yacht at the disposal of the committee, and this boat performed extremely useful service in patrolling the course in attendance on the racing fleet. The four-oared race was won by the MacLean brothers of the Mary Stewart. A noteworthy item on the programme was a daring exhibition of surf riding by Mr H. Mitchell, Glasgow. The greasy pole created endless amusement amongst the spectators, and the prize, a leg of mutton, was won by Mr John Buntain [Bunting], Balemartine. No competitors appeared for the swimming races for which handsome prizes in kind were offered, but probably the choppiness of the sea at the time militated against such an event. It is the intention of the committee to foster this branch of sport, and it is hoped that next year will see a large entry in the swimming events, especially among girls and boys. On the call of the commodore, Miss MacDiarmid was asked to present the prizes. Rev. Hugh MacKenzie, on behalf of the committee, thanked Miss MacDiarmid. Her father, the vice-commodore, replied on behalf of his daughter. The result of the members’ ballot was then announced, the winning boat being drawn by Miss Nettie MacLean, Hough, the tiny daughter of the popular chief steward of the S.S. Hebrides, the second prize being drawn by Mrs MacKenzie, Scarinish, and the 3rd Malcolm MacKinnon, butcher. The committee of the club are particularly indebted to Commodore George K. Ward of the Colonsay Yacht Club for his telegram of good wishes and his handsome donation to club funds.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 28 August 1926, 7)

By 1937, the regatta was being run by the ‘Tiree Sailing and Rowing Club’. There was an additional ‘district regatta’ off Balemartine. The watching crowd that year was estimated to have been 400. The 1938 regatta was even more successful: ‘Mrs. Steele-Smith, in presenting the prizes to the successful competitors, hoped that Tiree in a few years would be famous as a regatta centre. She remarked on the sporting spirit of all the competitors, and complimented Mr. John Brown, the Commodore and his committee on the work they had done in making the regatta such a success.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 6 August 1938, 5)