Tiree Show – 31st July
The Isle of Tiree glistened in the sun as the ferry brought the mainland judges and many visitors to the Annual Show. Crowds gathered to watch the island’s quality livestock being judged. Cattle judge, Donald Campbell, Camaghael, Fort William, was impressed with the standard of stock on the island.
The Cross Bred Champion was Bullseye, a Limousin X bullock calf from Iain MacInnes, Ruaig. This February born calf by Grahams Volvo was out of a pure Charolais cow, Thrunton Voucher. Reserve was the Limousin X autumn born heifer, Hilary, from Tearlach MacDonald, Main Road, sired by his own stock bull and out of a British Blue X cow.
Overall Cattle Champion was the Crossbred winner and Reserve was the Pure Bred leader, Ruaig Diago, a British Blue bull calf by Elogieux and was shown by Iain’s sister, Morven.
Sheep judges were both from North Connel. Archie Cameron brought forward a Suffolk X ewe from Sandra Brown as his Crossbred Champion. Reserve was Iain MacInnes, Ruaig with a Mule gimmer.
Champion of the Pure Bred Sheep Section, judged by Donald MacCorquodale, Achnaba, was Fraser MacLean, Heylipol’s Suffolk shearling, Westcarse Islander by Cairness First Glance. ComingReserve after some fierce brotherly competition, was Alasdair MacLean’s Beltex ewe lamb, Tiree Nellie by Beechtree Maxi Muscles. This ewe lamb was 4th in her class at the Highland Show. The Overall Sheep Champion at the Show was the Suffolk shearling tup from Fraser MacLean who was then delighted when his tup went on to win the Champion of Champions award.
The Pony Champion was won, once again, by Janis MacArthur, Balephuil with her Highland Gelding Struan. Standing Reserve was Janet Bowler with Achnalarig Whiskey.
The afternoon programme saw crowds gather to hear Tiree Pipe Band and the popular Pet Show and Dog Agility competition. Judge Gail Cameron, North Connel, chose a young Golden Retriever shown by Alastair Kennedy from Stirling as Champion.
A new feature was Tiree has Talent competition. A huge success! The crowds were entertained to singing, dancing and piping tunes before the three judges chose young Ashley Watson and Niamh Wilson as the winners. With the Fun Fair, Bucking Bronco, Craft stalls and a fantastic amount of entries in the Home Industries marquee, there was certainly plenty for everyone to see and do at Tiree Show.
Tiree Regatta – 8th August
The Tiree Regatta was originally scheduled for 1st August but the weather was having none of it. With very strong winds and driving rain the committee took the decision to postpone the event. The 7 day weather forecast promised the return of Tiree’s glorious BBQ summer, so it was agreed to try again the following week.
Saturday 8th came not with the promised weather, but with more wind and rain. However with the conditions improving during the morning the 2009 Tiree Regatta was on.
At 2pm with the sailing boats leaving the sanctuary of Scarinish harbour for the start line, the sky darkened and the rain came down. Undaunted the fleet and safety boats gathered at the start gate and the race was underway.
This year the Regatta Club had adopted the Old Gaffers Association Handicap System. This meant all of the sailing boats competing against one another, in the same race. Classic Tiree Dipping Lugs were competing with modern boats, including a catamaran!
The sea conditions were unkind to all. The brisk southerly wind had kicked up a big chop. In one of the gusts, the Tiree Lug Boat Catadh Mara crested a wave, momentarily ‘took- off’ to land in the trough, taking water in over the gunwhale. The lug boats battled it out, exchanging typical Tiree pleasantries, as they keenly contested the marks. Similarly the Drascombes were in close contest. With a display of excellent seamanship the Tiree Dipping Lug boat, Catadh Mara, with Angus MacLean at the helm and Duncan MacLean as crew won the day. Not only were they the quickest in their class but their handicapped time was enough to secure them overall victory.
The shore events started with the pillow fight which proved to be a slug-fest in the rain. However, the rain passed through, the weather showed some improvement, and the shore events continued with a record entry Raft Race. The Airport Crew brought a hi-tech raft which was in stark contrast to the more traditional rafts which included a floating bedstead complete with fluffy head board. Inevitably there was some equipment failure, assisted by some very aggressive sabotage. The winning crew at one stage, abandoned their raft to attack, and de-power the Airport crew by dragging their power-rower, Andy Philips, into the water. Mission accomplished, they re-manned their own raft, to finish just ahead of the Airport Crew, who had fired up a 9 hp outboard, which they had somehow smuggled onto to their raft!! As the raft race finished, the racing fleet, lead in by the victorious Catadh Mara returned to harbour, to the start of the swimming race.
In a running start, 26 bodies of all ages hurtled into the water, and in a flurry of spray swam the 50 m to the turn. This proved somewhat illusory, as the mark was a crewed kayak which constantly moved station. Some very tired swimmers returned, collapsing exhausted on the finish line… 100 m had stretched to 150m!!
The regatta concluded with the traditional fishing Boat Race. Willy Grafton’s Silver Spray, fully dressed, looked stunning. The prizes were presented by Wendy Jupe outside a, by now, heaving pub.
The wind had died off, the sun had come out. Sailors, spectators, and Scarinish harbour, basked in an aura of calm contentment.
Tiree Regatta Club would like to thank everyone who contributed time, effort, cakes and bottles and all participants together making the day such as success. The Regatta could not happen without the support of its sponsors:- Tiree Services, Agrimarine, Andy Cameron, Ross MacLennan, Macleod Builders, Argyll Estates , Tiree Kayaks, David Kerr, MacKinnon Builders, Bernie Smith, Skipinnish Sea Tours, PaperWorks, Nan Maclean, and the CO-OP. Look forward to seeing you all at Tiree Regatta 2010.