SYC NEWSLETTER January 2026
Message from the Secretary Graham Gillies
A Guid New Year to ane an’ a’.
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Serpent Yacht club founding so we are planning a celebration dinner to mark the occasion on 1st May -more details later.
Our Annual Dinner in December was as enjoyable and sociable as ever and we were pleased that the high standard of cuisine set by the new caterers last year was maintained. We enjoyed a personal and entertaining speech by David Brice from Belfast on cruising on the west coast of Scotland.
Our 2026 Serpent AGM will be on the evening of 24th February 2026 at the
Royal Gourock Yacht Club 7 for 7.30pm. Coffee / teas will be available from 7pm.
After the brief official club business, Serpent member Séamus Lalor will be giving an illustrated talk on his recent Atlantic crossing, Tenerife to Martinique, crewing onan Amel 54 yacht. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Photo shared Mid-atlantic S Lalor
Norena McAdam has organised our Winter visit to Dundee next week and has an update here for the 20 of so members who will be attending :-
Winter Meeting Dundee 15th-16th January 2026
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January has arrived with a wintery entry into 2026. I’m looking out at six inches of snow in the garden and am glad to hear gentle dripping as it thaws.
The Winter Meeting is just a week away so it’s time to fill in the details of the programme.
There will be guided tours of HMS Unicorn and Discovery Point including RRS Discovery. Also a meal in Jute Café Bar, at Dundee Contemporary Arts.
The event begins on Thursday 15th at 14.00 at HMS Unicorn, for a guided tour of the Unicorn. Some members will be having lunch in the Apex Hotel nearby at 12.30 and you are welcome to join them if you wish. The tour will finish by 16.00, giving plenty of time to settle into your accommodation and meet at Jute Café Bar for a meal which is booked for 19.30.
We will meet again at 10.30 on Friday morning at Discovery Point for a guided tour, including a tour of RRS Discovery, Captain Scott’s ship. This will last approximately two hours and is the last official part of the Winter Meeting. However you may wish to take advantage of the proximity to the V & A and add on a visit there in the afternoon.
Thursday 15th January
14.00 Guided tour of HMS Unicorn, South Victoria Dock Road, Victoria Dock, Dundee DD1 3 BP Cost £8
19.30 Informal dinner at Jute Café Bar, Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4DY. Cost will be divided between those attending and allowance will be made for the prepaid deposit of £10/person.
Friday 16th January
10.30 Guided tour of Discovery Point and RRS Discovery. Discovery Quay, Dundee DD1 4XA Cost £13
Payment for the tours will be made individually on entry.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Dundee.
Norena 07748944594
Diary of Events for 2026
Dundee Winter Meeting 15th -16th January 2026
Serpent AGM 24th February 2026 at Royal Gourock Yacht Club 7 for 7.30pm
Serpent 50th Anniversary Dinner – 1 May – Venue to be confirmed
Anniversary Muster – 16/17 May – Tarbert
Craobh Muster – 13/14 June followed by Cruise in company
Ormidale BBQ – 8 August Loch Riddon
Autumn Muster – 12/13 September – Rothesay
2025 Serpent Photo Competition Winner Seabow Loch Sunart Val Glen
