If the smile on the face of Robin Campbell of the Eilean Dubh was anything to go by then the 8th Sail Hebrides Maritime Festival was another successful event in the Outer Hebrides social calendar. Robin and his crew won the prize for the best maritime skills challenge, sailing en route to Crobeag –sudoko, quoits and caught fish.
He was not the only one to win a prize. Prizes also went to El Vigo, Alba Volunteer, Scorpio, Cuach and An Sulaire crews for their efforts in the sailing and rowing challenges in Stornoway Harbour. In the best sailing weather that could have been wished for the 8th Maritime Festival attracted 19 boats in total and 100 people young and old had a thrilling time.
Another 13 young Hebrideans enjoyed first class sail training instruction on board the Sleat Queen and Alba Volunteer also gaining their RYA Competent Crew certificates. The MCA tug Anglian Prince escorted the fleet into Stornoway on Thursday evening, drenching the boats with its magnificent display of water cannon,while on board the SPA pilot boat Portrona, Andrew Macdonald piped the crews ashore.	Team An Sulaire

Friday saw 14 of the boats leave Stornoway to sail in company to a sheltered mooring off Eilean Chaluim Chille in Loch Erisort. A brisk SSW breeze, force 4/5, gave the Bermudan rigged boats a great beat to their destination although proved more of a challenge for the traditional dipping lugsail boats, which had to fight up against the wind. Never daunted however all arrived safely and to the legendary excellent welcome and barbecue arranged by Loch Erisort Trust at Crobeag.

There, the quoits, sudoko and fish were judged and in addition to a plentiful supplies of soft drinks, barbecued salmon and freshly caught mackerel, crews were well entertained by local and visiting musicians as they sprawled relaxing in the sunshine.

Back on the boats in mid afternoon the Loch Erisort Sea battle ensued. All boats claimed they were winners, scoring high points soaking other crews without admitting to getting wet themselves. All the “kids” had plenty of fun.

The run back to Stornoway favoured the lugsail boats, which completed the return voyage in half the time of the outward journey, whilst some of the larger yachts took advantage of the excellent sailing conditions to tussle with each other or take a longer route home. Throughout the day, the fleet was supported by Stornoway Plastic’s Alison Rose skippered by Gordon (Diesel) Maclennan.

However they got back, they were further entertained at the Sail Loft on North Beach, by Theatre Hebrides performing “A Day in the Life…” of the old sail loft, a performance promoted by Highland Buildings Preservation Trust.

As if one good summer’s day was not enough the Festival awoke on Saturday to another sunny and breezy day – just perfect for the Sailing Challenges in Stornoway Harbour.

Round a triangular course now well marked by huge new buoys donated by Gael Force Marine, two competitions took place – one for Bermudans and one for lug sails. A brisk force 5 ensured some exciting and closely fought sailing on the two-lap course, finally won by El Vigo, which lifted the Borgh Pottery Plate for Bermudans, and by Cuach, which lifted the Sail Hebrides Tiller for lug sails.

In the afternoon 12 teams of three, including teams from visiting RN ships and the local RNLI crew attracted a large crowd of spectators for the Sail Hebrides Rowing Challenge. Not wanting to put too fine a point on it, but just to record that neither the RN nor RNLI teams where able to demonstrate class rowing skills. Spectators hoped that they would not need to be rescued by any of them! In fact the t Hebridean Brewing Company Prize went to Team An Sulaire in the fastest time of 3mins 18secs, closely followed 6secs later by Team Jubilee.

To round off the Festival and to relax in the evening, Fjord Seafoods sponsored a reception for crews and invited guests in the Festival marquee. Musical entertainment was provided by Mia and Graham and Steve Matthews of the MCA presented the prizes as follows:

	Bermudan Rigs: Borgh Pottery Prize  1st Place  El Vigo, skipper Sean Stephen Sail Hebrides Prize 2nd Place  Alba Volunteer, skipper Tom Basable Baltic Books Prize 3rd Place                   Scorpio, skipper Kenneth Macdonald
Lug Sails: Sail Hebrides TILLER       1st Place Cuach, skipper John Hayes Stornoway Fish Smokers   2nd Place An Sulaire, skipper Ian Lawson

Rowing Challenge:
Hebridean Brewing Company 1st Prize    Team An Sulaire, skipper Angus Smith

W.J. Macdonald presents to all participants.

The date of the next Festival 9th to the14th July 2007 - Watch this space!

Sail Hebrides is very grateful for essential and invaluable support from: