The Serpent Yacht Club

 

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