SYC  NEWSLETTER  October 2025 

 

Message from the Secretary    Graham Gillies

 

As the sailing season begins to draw to a close, at least for most of us, it appears to be going out with a bang rather than a simper. I hope your boats and homes are safe and undamaged in the wake of Storm Amy, which sounds like something of an oxymoron all the more-so for its fierceness. Silverjack is still on her mooring (I hope) and soon to be put to bed for the winter.

 

Our September closing muster at Rothesay went well despite the lack of takers for a race. Thirteen folk were there, three arriving by ferry, with the remainder cruising there on one of the 3 boats that attended, Micky Finn 4, Taylor Maid and Silverjack. The Saturday was overcast and blustery but certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending. After suitable socialising on board, we walked as a group to the Glenburn Hotel for dinner. The walk was shorter than I remembered with a modest incline up to the substantially refurbished hotel. We enjoyed an excellent evening with surprisingly good food and an attentive service. We were also well looked after at the harbour by Iain and the staff at Bute Berthing who provided the cheapest berthing fees of the season which included electricity. There was talk that the venue worked well and may  be worth revisiting.

 

Pint and a Curry. Our next meet up is next week already on Thursday 16^th October when we will be repeating last year’s popular evening of a Pint and a Curry. This is a relaxed and informal occasion to meet up with friends and catch up with their summer exploits. The buffet curry, which is excellent, is at the evergreen Bombay Blues Restaurant at 7pm. Those inclined for a pre-prandial pint (other refreshments are also available) are meeting up at the Horseshoe Bar at 6pm. The Bombay Blues Restaurant is conveniently close to Central Station in Hope Street just opposite the station. If you would like to join us, please let me know by email or text (07876 505307) by Tuesday 14^th next week. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

 

 

 

 

 

Diary of Events for 2025 /26

 

Closing Supper Thursday 16^th October By popular demand, we are repeating our Pint and a Curry experience. Meeting in the historic Horseshoe Bar from 6pm (optional), followed by a Buffet Curry at 7pm at the long-established Bombay Blues Restaurant in Hope Street opposite Glasgow Central Station.

 

The Annual Dinner and Prize-giving on Saturday 6th December will once again be in the inspiring venue of the Glasgow Art Club.

 

Winter Meeting  15th -16th January 2026
We are having a winter meeting in Dundee comprising a tour HMS Unicorn, Scotland’s Oldest Ship, followed by an evening meal in the Jute Restaurant and stay in a local hotel – (most folk have booked at the Apex hotel). The following morning, we will tour Discovery Point and the RRS Discovery, Captain Scott’s Ship. This has already been well subscribed but we could probably include one or two more if you are keen.

 

 

A swallow at sunset      GG

 

 

SYC NEWSLETTER September 2025

Message from the Secretary Graham Gillies

I hope you have been making the most of this summer’s remarkably warm settled weather. It looks like it has left us for the moment, although we can hardly complain. Let’s hope it returns in time for our Autumn muster which is only 2 weeks away, on Saturday 13th September at Rothesay. For those racing, there will be a race on Saturday morning from, and returning to Rothesay. Dinner will be at 6.30pm at the Glenburn Hotel which has been extensively refurbished. Details and application forms are attached to this email. I hope many of you will be able to join us there.

We encountered a pod of dolphins on two separate occasions in the summer both times off Arran’s east shore. We also saw them feeding in Lamlash Bay. With the bay now being a well-established no take zone for fishing, perhaps the dolphins will remain local to the area as some pods do. 

 

Dolphins off Arran      GG

 

Our August barbecue at Ormidale on Loch Riddon was a relaxing and sociable affair. There were crews from 7 boats at the party although not all had sailed there. In addition to the usual suspects, it was good to see Richard and Marie-Anne Poyau there. They are now keeping their Nauticat yacht Gabriella on the Clyde. We were also delighted to welcome visitors Nathan and Eileen, who sailed from Kip in company with Alan Kirk’s Tailor Maid. Midgies were notable for their absence, perhaps aided by the citronella torches and barbecue smoke. Despite forecasts to the contrary, it remained dry and proved to be a most enjoyable evening. 

 

 

Barbecue at Ormidale       Norena McAdam

 

Save the Date January 2026

Winter Meeting - 15th -16th January 2026

The club is planning a winter meeting in the dark days of January, an opportunity to get together, catch up with other members and swap sailing stories.
The plan is to meet in Dundee; tour HMS Unicorn, Scotland’s Oldest Ship, have a meal in the Jute Restaurant and stay in a local hotel. The next day we will tour Discovery Point and the RRS Discovery, Captain Scott’s Ship, the following morning. Hopefully you will put the date in your diary and plan to come along.

Diary of Events for 2025

Autumn Muster – Rothesay – Saturday 13th September There will be a Race as usual before meeting up at the inner marina berths in Rothesay Harbour. Following the customary socialising on board, dinner ashore in the evening will be at the Glenburn Hotel. See attachment for details.

Closing Supper Thursday 16th October By popular demand, we are repeating our Pint and a Curry experience. Meeting in the historic Horseshoe Bar from 6pm (optional), followed by a Buffet Curry at 7pm at the long-established Bombay Blues Restaurant in Hope street opposite Glasgow Central Station.

The Annual Dinner and Prize-giving on Saturday 6th December will once again be in the colourful surroundings of the Glasgow Art Club. 

 

 

 

                                 Settled Sunset Bute August 2025 GG