"Hello...Alison?"...I'm sorry to say, the trip to the Bass Rock has been cancelled...."
The rest of the phone message became a blur in my left ear as I half listened in disbelief.
A heavy sea swell was forecast, which would make the tricky landing impossible onto the craggy face of the Bass Rock. So, that was it; nothing to do for a whole day and that's far too long to sit and mope!
I was staying in the ancient fortress town of Dunbar and quickly discovered that the present day life of the town is still firmly anchored in its colourful past, with Black Agnes featuring large in everyone's mind.
It was in March this year that the newly built St Ayles rowing skiff, "Black Agnes" was launched in Dunbar, under the watchful eye perhaps of her 14th Century namesake standing on the still defiant remains of Dunbar castle.
Well, it's an ill wind blaws naebody gude, and if the Bass Rock trip hadn't been cancelled, I would have missed the spectacle of Dunbar Coastal Rowing Club's Regatta.
The sleek St Ayles skiffs, all immaculate and lovingly built by townspeople around the Scottish coast, had gathered and were manoeuvring into position. At the sound of the starting canon and yells from the coxes of "Row!" the teams pulled the little boats into the waves and battle commenced.
Jostling for the lead and negotiating tight turns around Scart Rock and marker buoys, the teams rowed the nimble boats round the course and headed for home in a nail biting finish.
I'm hooked!
Such excitement, and such a wonderful atmosphere.
I was told that one of the skiffs will be taking part in the Great River Race in London on 15th September.
I'll be there, and you'll hear me cheering her on!
The Dunbar team in Black Agnes head out of the harbour
The Queensferry team in Ferry Lass
Lovely post, Alison, and your photos are fantastic. Looking forward to reading more! x
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