Whilst Wordsmith Crafts CIC doesn’t have the insurance to take people out on the water, we do help individuals find ways to explore their nautical heritage. (with their own appropriate insurance)
This is one of our favourite memories from Nithraid. As well as taking the dog for a walk it was also a handy way to get the end of a hose in position so that we could fill a pool for the toy steamboats to sail in.
Isn’t this epic – in a hobbit (from Buckland) sort of way.
Future plans!
Maybe we could build something like an Ayes Skiff for Dumfries?
But until then Simon and Aidan have been helped by Dumfries Museum to do some research into logboats. More on that to follow!
@contact us! if you would like to row on the river. Even better, let us know if you would like to sit and make model boats with people. In particular, pop pop boats from recycled materials. This draws attention to the principles of boat building – and also how precious recycled resources can be. Other styles of boat are possible too, and we will have a paddling pool set up to test them in so they don’t wash away downstream.
We are preparing components in advance of the day. Participants will be able to sit down and combine them to make something which floats. If they have time they can optimise their toy boat and see how well they can get it to work.
While preparing for the day we have been reminded just how engaging this process can be. Hours can vanish while the combination of boiler, candle, and hull are tweaked to get the best from the system.
There is an opportunity to practice this on Thursday evening in the wordsmithcrafts workshop 7-9pm.
We will need to set up on Friday evening but need to be sure of a full crew if we are going to row.
If the weather prevents rowing or we don’t have enough crew we will sit for a longer time in our medieval pavilion and make some model boats.
The overall programme for Nithraid can be found here:
Dumfries is a port. Dock park has mooring bollards – so where are the boats?
This week at “Making Christmas” There will be a focus on boat building. We will be joined by reps from “Nith Skiff” The Dumfries Coastal Rowing and Boat Building Group.
There will be the core activities of making things from recycled and donated materials, and essentially making time to relax in the storytelling tent.
Could you be part of a plan to build a St Ayles Skiff in Dumfries next year? We could take part in Nithraid and other activities along the Solway and beyond.
The Cluaran crew at Nithraid 2024 – (The Riverside Animal Union)
Cluaran will be rowed up the river Nith by representatives from the union of river animals. (Find out more about the artist behind this on this post).
We will be practicing in the evenings on on Thursday the 15th and 22nd. Assemble at Wordsmithcrafts Workshop at 6pm.
Sign up to join the crew here:
Want to become a river animal yourself?
Then sign up here to be put in touch with the Dumfries Coastal Rowing Club which is coming into existence. We will be building a Nith Skiff. You could also get in touch directly by e-mailing nithskiff@gmail.com
After a successful first meeting those who gathered have decided that it is time Dumfries had it’s own St Ayles Skiff.
The plan is to build the craft in the town centre, where people can see what is going on.
We will be doing it as a community build. This means the project will involve things like using the build as a focus to give people hands on experience using tools. We will also arrange activities and events to involve people who might be interested in rowing and boats in general – and those who have never really thought about it.
We are aiming to get the boat on the water for the Skiffieworlds event in Stranraer July 2025
We have been offered support from Annan and are building a network of builders, rowers and interested supporters. We all went away with tasks to manage and WhatsApp group set up if you would like to keep in touch that way.
The Second meeting will be on the 6th of August, Tuesday evening, in the Dougie arms from 18.30
