Club opens new base thanks to £100k grant

Jul 11 2008

FUNDING from Perth and Kinross Council, the Cairncross Trust, the Thomson Trust and a near £100,000 grant from sportscotland has enabled members of Loch Tummel Sailing Club to extend their clubhouse, writes Gordon Bannerman.

And the new-look base now provides access and accessible changing facilities for sailing enthusiasts young and old, able-bodied and those with disabilities.

Alan Thomson, from Aberfeldy and a club member since 1961, cut the ribbon in front of the members and invited guests.

Alan might be 86, but he still sails regularly in the club’s Sunday racing programme, where he’s joined by a mix of sailing friends of all ages, both locals and many from further afield.

Founded in 1960 at Foss on the south west shore of Loch Tummel, the club has been a favourite venue for Scottish dinghy sailors for many years.

‘Tummel Week’ at the end of July is a fixture in the Scottish sailing calendar and draws competitors from all over the country.

The past few years have seen a growth in membership and a large youth training programme, which has seen several young members going on to be selected for national squad training, putting a big strain on the facilities.

Two years ago, members felt their clubhouse – a century-old corrugated iron former schoolhouse – should be upgraded to provide better facilities for young local sailors and for sailors with disabilities.

Club funds, and donations from several trusts, were matched with a grant from sportscotland, and in January the club embarked on a building programme to upgrade the premises.

The improved facilities have allowed the club to become a registered RYA training centre, which will allow it to run various sailing courses, and has already held an open day for schools under the Perthshire Active Schools programme.

A delighted Neil Ferguson, Commodore of the Loch Tummel Sailing Club, told the PA: “This has been two years of hard work for us – but it has resulted in wonderful new facilities, new members from local communities and national recognition.

“This year we’ve been chosen as Royal Yacht Association Scotland ‘Club of the Year’ and we’ve been awarded Volvo Champion Club status. We think it was worth it and we’re sure that those from all over the country who visit Perthshire to sail with us year after year will think so too.”

Louise Martin, chair of sportscotland, said: “sportscotland was delighted to have supported the new changing accommodation and clubhouse refurbishment at Loch Tummel Sailing Club with an investment of £97,625 from the Building for Sport programme.

“The new facilities will hopefully see the club able to increase its membership, allowing it to continue to grow and develop as well as enhancing its training capability to help develop the skills of young sailors.”