Scottish Series - Clyde Cruising Club’s Scottish Series celebrates 50th anniversary year

In a first for Scotland, event organisers have introduced remote-controlled SmartMarks from RS Sailing Ltd. These ‘robotic’ marks help course laying alongside traditional marks for the IRC and One Design fleets. Loch Fyne’s deep depth makes means it can take time to lay marks and set ‘true’ courses. This year the fleets will use a mix of semi-permanent marks and these new robotic marks to enhance the quality of the courses. Not only will this give a quality Olympic experience but will minimizing the time between races.

Shoreside, Tarbert will be abuzz with a variety of entertainment for both sailors and visitors to the event. A full social programme will be headed by Big Vern and the Shootas in the Marquee provided by Tarbert Harbour Authority at the back of the pontoons as well as various other day and night activities.

CCC secretary Bronwen Angus said: ‘Post race partying is a big part of the Scottish Series and the shore side entertainment in the marquee will be excellent.’

This year a running outline of the event with photo and video content from the racecourse will be available on a display screen at Tarbert as well as on social media.

As ever, all organisations in Tarbert including the local sailing club pull together to make the long weekend a success for everyone, both on and off the water bringing a significant boost to the economy of the area.

Event chairman Roddy Angus said ‘The planning is really coming together for an exciting Scottish Series. We have a team of over 50 working on this year’s event and hope to have over 100 boats competing. We are really looking forward to some great racing across the board.

With just days until this year’s Scottish Series sails into town, Tarbert is pulling out all the stops to make sure the event’s 50th anniversary is better than ever.

Launched in 1975, Scottish Series has long been regarded as Scotland’s premier yachting event. And this year sees the event celebrate its golden anniversary, back on the familiar waters of Loch Fyne with a new sponsor, Jura. Made from the water which is The Directors of Tarbert Enterprise Company, TEC, extend a warm Tarbert welcome to all competitors and visitors. Have a ‘braw’ time on and off the water. Made from the water which is filtered down from the Paps of Jura - the highest point on the Isle of Jura, Jura whisky has taken not only the best ingredients from this tiny island, but they’ve also managed to bottle the community and passion for the craft. Nothing has been left to chance, even their seafaring bottle is designed with broad shoulders and rounded edges. This is a considered, historic design made to withstand the roughest of voyages from Jura to the furthest corners of the globe.

And while Scottish Series is contained to the waters of Loch Fyne, many sailors will testify to the often-challenging conditions across the course of the weekend.

On and off the water, Tarbert provides the perfect base for sailors – the sailing programme offers variety with windward/ leeward courses as well as passage races.

But it’s not all about the sailing, the social programme gives crews and locals alike the chance to enjoy the weekend off the water with music, food, entertainment and plenty of good craic to make this a weekend to remember. Once again, the marquee on the north side of the harbour is home to the social hub. Here you’ll find all the social events - from registration on Thursday evening, right through to Monday’s final prize giving.

In addition the marquee will host all the weekend entertainment – and there is a lot packed into this year’s programme.

Whether you’re looking for some family-friendly fun, want to dance the night away, or just chill out and watch the world go by, this year’s social programme won’t disappoint.

Festival vibes run through the weekend, and as you’d expect from a Tarbert festival, good food is never far away! Breakfast rolls will be served early, every morning to make sure nobody goes out on the water hungry. There will be a range of food on offer throughout the day, including some of the seafood the village is famous for.

There are some time-honoured traditions Tarbert holds dear and one of the most poignant is the lone piper who plays for the boats as they leave the sheltered waters of Tarbert Harbour each morning and head out onto Loch Fyne. The marquee is the place to be on Saturday afternoon as an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment kicks off.

There really is something for everyone to see and do. The remote controlled boats make their return, to amuse both the young and young at heart. And talking of young at heart, children’s entertainer Funky Chicken will be harbourside with fun and games and face painting too!

Following the success of last year’s opportunity to raise money for local clubs and organisations, Tarbert’s soccer centre returns to the marquee with tea and home baking, as well as some football-based activities for the youngsters. What could be better than enjoying a relaxing afternoon with a cuppa while the kids burn off all their energy with their friends?

And if you’re looking for music then you won’t be disappointed as The Coaltown Daisies take to the marquee stage. Regulars to the festival circuit, these singer songwriters are renowned for their highly engaging live act and are sure to get you up and dancing.

Pipe band fans are catered for too, as the Loch Fyne Pipe Band bring an afternoon of fun to a close.

As the boats return home, the marquee gets its glad rags on for the Saturday night shindig. Saturday night stalwarts Big Vern and the Shootahs will make sure you party into the night, before the Saturday night reworks from the castle light up the night sky.

The party doesn’t end there. Sunday is much more of chilled out vibe with music in the marquee from afternoon right into the early evening. It’s a great time to meet up with friends and get every last drop of fun out of the long weekend.

As well as 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of Scottish Series, it is also the 200th anniversary of the RNLI, the voluntary organisation which has been helping save lives at sea since 1824. It is fitting then that the RNLI is the chosen charity for this year’s Scottish Series.

Following Sunday’s racing Tarbert will welcome the Severn Class lifeboat from Campbeltown and the Atlantic Class Inshore from Tighnabruaich to the pontoons.

And Sunday night doesn’t disappoint either as Laldi return to Tarbert. The lads went down a storm when they played the marquee on Scottish Series Sunday in 2023 and we’re delighted they’re back for this year.

If you’ve been to Scottish Series before and remember the great times then come back and make new memories. If you’re coming for the first time then look forward to a Tarbert welcome, you won’t be disappointed.