Introduction

Earlier today (Monday) I visited the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine with emphasis on yachting on the Clyde. This coastal town in Ayrshire is about 31 miles SW of Glasgow. The trip was prompted by an article in the Glasgow Herald newspaper (from which some of the text herein is sourced). Focus was the time when the Firth of Clyde (an extensive estuary) was a fashionable playground for the world’s fastest yachts.

Landscape view of the Firth of Clyde

Isle of Arran (in distance) viewed from Irvine today

Information on Yachting on the Clyde and it’s Racing Heyday.

Glasgow’s industrial growth of the 19th and early 20th centuries generated considerable wealth for the elite. This in turn spawned competitive yacht racing, regattas, mansion homes and clubs around the Clyde. In effect, the Firth of Clyde was a millionaire’s playground.

Today, there is a sprinkling of marinas and yacht clubs but there is little left of the ‘golden age’ of yachting.

Inverkip Marina

Sailing on Firth of Clyde

The popularity of yachting on the Clyde gave rise to the growth of specialist designers and yacht builders.The former include G.L. Watson, Alfred Milne I and II and William Fife I, II and III. Some of these designers went on to produce yachts which challenged for the Americas Cup.

The exhibition at the Scottish Maritime Museum shed light on a glorious time when Clyde yachts dominated the sport. Afficionados and lay people alike can appreciate the masterpieces of engineering and artistic vision manifested in the yachts.

Racing Yacht on display

‘Powerful’ (above). Built 1900.

Overall, the trip to the museum proved an excellent experience and provided a deeper understanding of Glasgow’s maritime history.

More Information

For more information on Scotland’s industrial history, it’s cities and much more please refer to the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.