Eskmuthe Community Rowing Club members have battled rain, wind and high seas to raise money for a new boatshed close to Fisherrow Harbour in East Lothian. 

The club have covered 500 miles by sea, but are now set to row 500 miles over two weekends on rowing machines at the harbour.

The money being raised will help match grant funding that has been already secured towards building a boatshed, but with prices rising due to Brexit and Covid the club now needs to hit higher targets.

The club uses “skiffs” which are a common sight in Scotland with over 70 clubs around the Scottish Coast and on large freshwater lochs. 

The clubs all introduce their communities to social rowing, expeditions, and friendly racing in St Ayles skiffs meaning that thousands of people new to these activities can enjoy the teamwork required to build and race the boats. 

Gaynor Allen, Chair of Eskmuthe Community Rowing Club, said:

Coastal rowing is great for health and wellbeing and is very community focussed. People come together from all walks of life and become friends and look after each other as they have something to bind them together.

We are very excited to be getting our own boatshed as this will enhance the club and help integrate us into our wider community, we plan to have an open door policy and people will be welcome to pop in for a coffee and to find out what we are all about.

Being a part of the larger community is very important to us an we have a tradition of involvement in the Musselburgh Sports Hub and the wider life of the town. 

Our boatshed will be used for various community events, such as the annual Loony Dooks and beach cleans and will be used by other seafront groups. 

It will be amazing to have our own boatshed and to become a part of the town’s rich seafaring history.

The community rowing club shed in Fisherrow will also enable the club to take on more members and build a third skiff to further expand the sport in the area.

The fundraiser will be a community event with rowers on land accompanied by music, cake and drinks – and collection buckets for passers-by. 

Members of the public can donate at www.justgiving.com/campaign/Eskmuthe500Miles or can buy a brick at the new boatshed at www.justgiving.com/campaign/EskmutheBuyABrick.