West Highland Yachting Week, one of Scotland’s premier regattas, sets sail on Saturday July 28 this year, with the three centre event continuing until Friday August 3. And the Round Lismore Race is back on the racing schedule. With tidal conditions suitable, this 23 mile circumnavigation is always a big hit amongst competitors.

West Highland yachting Week

The fleet during West Highland Yachting Week 2011 - photo Ron Cowan



There will be ten classes for the 2012 regatta, four for restricted sail and two IRC classes. IRC Class 0 banding is from 1.025 and above with Class 3 1.024 and below with the remainder CYCA handicap classes. The JRC may alter the bandings of any class depending on entries.

Feeder races from Gigha and Oban bring the fleet from all over the UK to the launch of the event in Craobh Marina where it is expected over 120 boats will muster. The fleet then races to Oban amidst the spectacular backdrop of the Firth of Lorne. Two days of sailing off Oban include the Round Lismore Race, Olympic style racing for the spinnaker fleet and an inshore course for the Argyll fleet.

On to Tobermory
This unique regatta ‘moves’ again on Wednesday Aug 1 when the fleet race up the Sound of Mull to iconic Tobermory. A further day’s racing off Tobermory completes the Mull section of the event before the fleet thunder back down to Oban on the final passage race of the week. The Peter Cocks Memorial Trophy is awarded for the best overall performance of the regatta and individual trophies are given for each day and to overall class winners.

Jim Lowe, secretary of the Joint Regatta Committee that runs WHYW said: ‘The mix of quality on the water competition and a wide ranging apres sail social programme with the emphasis on fun is WHYW’s unique selling point. We hope to see all our usual competitors returning this year as well as welcoming many new faces.’

There’s a new look to the publications for the 65th anniversary event that points up the ethos of fun and family involvement alongside the top class racing. A new slide show from last year’s event is also on the website by yachting photographer Ron Cowan.

See West Highland Yachting Week for the Notice of Race and Entry form.