SYC  NEWSLETTER August 2026   

 

Message from the Secretary    Graham Gillies

 

 

Welcome to the August Newsletter. I enjoyed sailing in balmy conditions in the Clyde at the weekend although it was noticeably a little chillier in the morning. Let’s hope there is plenty of summer sailing still to be had.

 

Unfortunately, our planned August Barbecue at Ormidale was cancelled owing to the impressively wet and blustery forecast which turned out to be a good call given the washout conditions on the Saturday. It’s a pity as plenty of folk expressed interest in coming.

 

Autumn Muster Our next event is the Autumn Muster on Saturday 12^th September. By popular demand it‘s at Rothesay once more. Most folk arrive at the Inner Harbour at some point in the later afternoon to catch up and socialise before dining in the evening at the Glenburn Hotel booked for 7pm. As there is not a restricted menu, there is no form to complete but if you are planning to join us, please let me know about berthing and numbers dining by text or email by Wednesday 9^th so I can confirm berths and table numbers. You can text me at 07876 505307 or email gwagillies@gmail.com

 

There is usually a Regatta discount on the Berthing fees which you should pay directly at the Bute Berthing office. Note that the Glenburn Hotel is a 15 minute walk out of town from the Harbour.

 

Closing Supper Please Note that our Closing Supper will be on Thursday 15^th October at 6.30pm. The Venue is the Italian Restaurant Barolo on Mitchell Street which should be convenient for trains to Central or Queens Street stations.

 

Serpent Annual Dinner For this session’s Annual Dinner we have chosen a different timing and Venue. As December tends to be a particularly busy time for most of us, and has become more expensive to book, we have decided to move the Dinner from its customary late November or early December slot to Friday 8^th January 2027. Similarly, we have changed the venue to the Langley room at the Corinthian Club on Ingram Street. This is where we held this year’s 50^th Anniversary Dinner where we were well received. We are hoping this bold change proves to be as popular.

Diary of Events for 2026/27

 

Autumn Muster   12/13 September – Rothesay -dining at the Glenburn Hotel

 

Closing Supper  Thursday 15^th October 6.30pm at the Barolo Restaurant Glasgow

 

Serpent Dinner Friday 8^th January 2027 at the Langley Room in Corinthian Club

 

 

 

Settled June Sunset from Port Appin   GG  

  

SYC  NEWSLETTER July 2026   

 

Message from the Secretary    Graham Gillies

 

I hope you made the most of the unseasonably warm weather in July despite the light winds. It looks like we are receiving some damper weather this week as I listen to the heavy rain on the boat in Tarbert.

 

 

The duff weather put paid to any thoughts of a cruise in company prior to the Craobh muster and I, for one, took the Crinan Canal west for the summer cruise. As you probably know, the canal is now fully staffed with assistance at each lock so it is more convenient and less energetic than it once was. It certainly helps to keep mud and grit off the boat. In the interests of efficiency and conserving of water, it is also a more managed/ controlling experience and any ideas of getting through in a day are now fond memories. However, it’s not a race and I enjoyed the more leisurely pace.

 

 

The blustery weather also put paid to the round Shuna race. The Craobh Muster itself took the form of a group dinner at the recently reopened Lord of the Isles (LOTI). The muster saw five Serpent boats in attendance; Tulla Mhor, Adastra, Exody, Aquaholic and Silverjack. These crews were further joined by friends of the club who were berthed at Craobh and other members who drove there including Commodore Catherine, and Stewart Toy, whose recent purchase, ‘Charlie Girl’, a Moody 38s was, unfortunately, not yet ready for launching. It was generally agreed that the food at the LOTI was good and the evening went well.

 

 

The following day, the same five club boats made it to Loch Spelve where they were joined by Charles and Anne on Lollypop for our planned Mussel fest at the Inverlussa Mussel Farm. The Inverlussa staff were very accommodating as usual and were happy to let us use their facilities for preparing and cooking the mussels. Everyone mucked in with preparations and helped make the occasion a successful event once more. The midgies were kind enough to largely keep away at least until we had cleaned up, at which point they descended and we all promptly cleared off. It was a good night.

 

 

Most of the party sailed to Lochaline the following day for a club barbecue utilising the facilities there which are made available for visiting boats at the marina. Some Serpent boats subsequently met up at Tobermory then Kingairloch where they enjoyed an excellent meal at the Boathouse Restaurant. All in all, the muster and club cruise in company was a fun and sociable experience and bodes well for reprising a west coast cruise next year. Thanks go to Tom and Caroline Hutchinson among others for their considerable work in making the muster and cruise the success that it was.

 

Barbecue at Ormidale Please note that our next Serpent event is the Barbecue at Ormidale on Loch Riddon. It is not long away on Saturday 8^th August. This informal late afternoon/ early evening event is largely down to individual crews to bring your own food, barbecue, and refreshments. It’s a sociable and relaxed occasion and requires no booking, however it would be helpful to let me know if you intend to be there. Text 07876 505307.

 

 

 

The mussel Fest at Loch Spelve   N McAdam

The lads by the fire at the Mussel Fest   N McAdam

 

 

The moorings at Kingairloch   GG

 

 

Diary of Events for 2026

 

Ormidale BBQ     8th August Loch Riddon

 

Autumn Muster   12/13 September – Rothesay -dining at the Glenburn Hotel

 

Closing Supper  Thursday 15^th October in central Glasgow   venue to be decided

 

Serpent Dinner   Date & venue to be decided

 

  

SYC  NEWSLETTER June 2026   

 

Message from the Secretary    Graham Gillies

 

Tarbert Muster Our Opening Muster at Tarbert was held on 16^th May. There were 4 boats in attendance; Black Pepper, Tailor Maid, Emma Louise and Silverjack. Much of the remainder of the fleet are now based on the west coast or had already moved there for the summer. Two of the yachts were dressed overall in recognition of the Serpent’s 50^th Anniversary year. Eighteen folk came to the Commodore’s reception in the Marina marquee and much chat was shared over tasty nibbles and a glass of prosecco. Thanks to all who helped with preparation. The excellent seafood dinner at the Red Herring Restaurant in Tarbert completed an excellent evening.

 

Craobh Muster Our summer muster at Craobh Yacht Haven is just two weeks away on Saturday 13^th June followed by a cruise in company. There will be the customary round Shuna race in the morning starting at 11am followed by dinner in the evening at the Lord of the Isles (LOTI) bar and restaurant at 7pm. The Marina and LOTI are now both under the same new management and we have received positive reports about the LOTI’s refurbishment and cuisine.

 

The Muster is due to be followed on the Sunday 14^th by a Mussel Fest at the Inverlussa Mussel Farm in Loch Spelve, Mull -cost £10pp. The following day, Monday 15^th June, there will be a Serpent Barbecue at the Marina in Lochaline. There may be a further cruise in company following this depending on the weather.

 

 

Craobh Muster Dinner

 

Saturday 13^th June 2026 at 7pm.  Venue - Lord of the Isles Restaurant Bar

Cost is £30 for 2 courses (Starter and main or Main and dessert), £35 for 3 courses.

 

If you would like to come to the dinner, then please

 

1.    Email Tom Hutchinson at aquaholic19@yahoo.co.uk  with numbers in your party and their menu choices by Tuesday 9^th June at latest

 

2.    Pay a deposit of £10 pp by bank transfer to:-  Serpent Yacht Club  Sort Code 80-08-98  

Account no 00821318  For reference, use your Surname followed by space then initial.

 

The Craobh Muster Menu options are :-

 

 

Leek & Potato Soup, Herb Cream, our own in-house baked bread with butter (v)

 

Arran Smoked Cheddar Souffle with a Cheddar & Chive Sauce (V)

 

Classic Prawn Cocktail, Marie Rose, Baby Gem, Brown Bread & Butter

 

………………………………………

 

King Prawn Linguine, Chilli, Ginger, Garlic with Rocket & Parmesan

 

Roast Chicken Breast, Dauphinoise Potato, BBQ Greens, Peppercorn Sauce

 

Mushroom & Truffle Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Wild Garlic Butter (V)

 

………………………………………..

 

Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream

 

Crème Brulee, Raspberries, Almond Tuile

 

Selection of Arran Ice Cream

 

 

 

   

Silverjack and Emma Louise at Tarbert

 

 

   

Elevenses at Tarbert on Silverjack    

 

 

Diary of Events for 2026

 

Craobh Muster    Saturday 13^th June

                              

                             Mussel Fest Loch Spelve Sunday 14^th June

                             

                             Barbecue at Lochaline Monday 15^th June

 

Ormidale BBQ     8th August Loch Riddon

 

Autumn Muster   12/13 September – Rothesay dining at the Glenburn Hotel

 

Serpent Dinner   Date & venue to be decided

 

 

 

 

 

   

 Sunset Craobh Muster 2019     GG

 

 

 

 

  

SYC  NEWSLETTER  May 2026   

 

 

Message from the Secretary    Graham Gillies

 

 

Our 50^th Anniversary Dinner was held last night in the Corinthian Club in Ingram St.

It was well attended by 35 members and friends of the club with no less than 10 past Commodores in attendance including our current Commodore Catherine Toy who is also a past Commodore -the club is taking recycling to heart. It was an excellent evening with a slide loop of past photos from club events, and several speakers. Thanks to the organisers, speakers, attendees, staff and to those that supplied photos.

 

 

Our Spring Muster is only 2 weeks away now -on Saturday 16^th May at Tarbert Loch Fyne. As most of the racing yachts will be on the west coast already, we will forego the usual Tarbert Race and members can either cruise or drive there. In addition to the customary convivialities on board, there will be a Commodore’s reception with Prosecco and nibbles at 6.30pm at the Marquee by the Marina. This will be followed by a meal at the excellent Red Herring Restaurant in Tarbert at 7.30. If you wish to participate, please complete the form attached to the email and send it to me by next Sunday 10^th May. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

 

 

You will see from the diary of events below, that our Craobh Muster will be on Saturday 13^th June. This will take the form of a race round Shuna in the morning followed by dinner at the Lord of the Isles pub/restaurant now apparently, to be simply dubbed ‘The Isles’. As you may be aware, Craobh marina is now under new management and our usual use of the boatshed for a barbecue is not available hence dinner at the ‘Isles’. Weather permitting, as part of a cruise in company the muster will be followed by a Mussel fest at Loch Spelve on Sunday 14^th and a barbecue at the Marina at Lochaline on the Monday 15^th.

 

 

50^th Anniversary Dinner          GG

 

 

 

Serpent Past Commodores     M Gillies

Left to right Alan Faichney, Iain Morton, George Gray, Graham Gillies, Séamus Lalor,

                                   Stewart Toy, Catherine Toy, Bobby Corbett, Don Gillies & Tom Hutchinson

 

 

Founding Commodore Bobby Corbett with Catherine Toy      N McAdam

 

   

Diary of Events for 2026

 

Craobh Muster    Saturday 13^th June

                              

                             Mussel Fest Loch Spelve Sunday 14^th June

                             

                             Barbecue at Lochaline Monday 15^th June

 

Ormidale BBQ     8th August Loch Riddon

 

Autumn Muster   12/13 September – Rothesay dining at the Glenburn Hotel

 

Serpent Dinner   Date & venue to be decided