Inland Waterways Sub Committee 

Tow Path Talk, August

RYA Scotland celebrates ‘Wheel 10’  

 RYA Scotland joined in the tenth anniversary of the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland which took place from 6 to the 8 July. The ‘Wheel 10’ celebrations marked 'a decade of success' for The Falkirk Wheel since the world’s only rotating boatlift was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2002.

HRH The Princess Royal and President of the RYA arrived at the event on the Friday to name Scotland’s first floating classroom, Wooden Spoon Seagull.  After a trip down the Falkirk Wheel, HRH made a tour of the 60 plus assembled boats and the organiser of the whole weekend, Ronnie Rusack MBE, presented many of the boaters to her including the Chair of RYA Scotland’s Sub-committee for Inland Waters Gordon Daly from RYA Scotland.

The wheel was the final link in the regeneration of the Scottish Lowland Canal system, giving Scottish canals enthusiasts access to the whole system and giving boaters the use of the whole of the formerly fragmented Lowland Canals as well as giving access to the sea.

It has become a true icon of engineering and a tourist attraction for people from all over the world and has had a positive impact on the local economy

Claire Caffrey, Marketing Officer RYA Scotland said “On Saturday we had many visitors to our stand, despite the damp conditions and it was encouraging that many people wanted to know at what age the RYA will start teaching children to helm inland boats - the next generation of inland boaters!”

Supporting inland boating in Scotland

 RYA Scotland is supporting inland boating in a number of ways including responding to several consultations from Scottish Canals and the Scottish Government and advising and supporting individual boaters who are experiencing local problems on the waterways.

It is working closely with the office of the Scottish Transport Minister and with Scottish Canals and is involved in the planning of a number of inland events with them for 2013 including a Monster Muster on Loch Ness.

James Stuart, COO RYA Scotland added ‘This is such an exciting time for recreational boating with Scottish Canals taking over the management of the inland waterways. We are excited because we think it open up new opportunities for boaters. The network of Scottish waterways provide fantastic cruising grounds in themselves but the power of that network lies in its connectivity with Scotland’s lochs and coast line.

“It was really important for us to be at the event enabling us to meet and talk to people and make sure that we understand their needs and frustrations

To find out more about RYA Scotland, RYA training courses, publications and how RYA Scotland is supporting inland boating visit www.ryascotland.org.uk