News

Launch of Callicvol

Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting is to be held on Thursday 29th February at 7:00pm in the Treetops Café, Golf Club, Stornoway, this is to be a joint AGM with Sail Hebrides

At the beginning of January 2024 the weather was so lovely, we managed two sails in three days. Heading south of Arnish, we explored the coast and even managed a little fishing on the second trip! Small Mackerel and cuddies were landed.

Training sessions for new members

In 2022, Falmadair ran a series of training sessions aimed primarily at new members, but existing members are welcome to attend. Topics covered include:

Knots, Collision Regulations, Chart work, Passage Planning, and Weather. Everyone had an opportunity to see the various Sgoth, climb aboard, and even have a sail.

We are all looking forward to getting out on the water more often as conditions permit.

Funding

We are delighted to announce more support from Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, the Healthy Islands Fund, Lewis and Harris Sports Council, Bells Nautical Trust, Stornoway Port Authority, and several individuals. This means we can continue with the ongoing programme of maintenance and repair that wooden boats demand plus that we can offer more training and sailing opportunities to everyone.

Being a registered charity, we are always looking at ways of supporting the organisation so donations and ideas for fundraising are always welcome. We recently had some wonderful donations for a raffle - and this has helped with the upkeep of the boats.

Ùrachadh: The Renewal of an Sulaire

Mhairi Law of Island Darkroom held a photographic exhibition, Ùrachadh: The Renewal of An Sulaire at Comunn Eiadraidh Nisover the summer of 2021. Copies of her book were available at the Comunn. Mhairi can be contacted on info@islanddarkroom.com

Photographs by Mhairi Law, commissioned by Falmadair maritime trust.

In December 1994, a new vessel of gleaming larch planks was lifted from a Stornoway shed and taken to Cuddy Point. People of all ages turned out to see an Sulaire (the gannet) touch salt water for the first time. Working from memory, photographs, wreckage and models,boatbuilder John Murdo, assisted by Angus Smith, recreated the large class of sgoth, a traditional Isle of Lewis fishing vessel developed to work further offshore.

A wooden boat, exposed to rain and wind, requires a huge amount of maintenance. Since her build, an Sulaire has required replacements and repairs to keep her safe and enjoyed by the local community.

Commissioned by Falmadair (North Lewis Maritime Trust), these photographs by Mhairi Law document the work and the people involved in an Sulaire’s latest series of repairs, following her journey from Stornoway to Ardhasaig in Harris where boatbuilder Mark Stockl took on the major structural works and replacements. These images capture the conservation of a vessel of maritime heritage, her inherited design a testament to the thoughts, skills and lives of the people gone before us. They also show the local response to a call to contribute to this ongoing task of care required with these boats, and one that is loyally answered.

Open Day on Saturday 29th September 2018

In association with Sport Scotland Clubs Open Week we had an Open Day on Saturday 29th September. Many came along to see for themselves about Falmadair, and came out with us for a we sail. You can support us tremendously by becoming a member, we do family, concession and corporate membership too, click here for more details.

Falmadair: North Lewis Maritime Society

By necessity, Falmadair has changed its constitution in order to comply with OSCR the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and become a SCIO a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. In a Special General Meeting on Thursday 20th April 2017 the Committee agreed to start the process. The name of the organisation shall be: Falmadair: North Lewis Maritime Society.

Registered charity number: SC038938