You can’t help but be captivated by Edinburgh’s many faces. This amazing city is a true hub of culture, creativity, and science, among many other fields that make life better and more beautiful. But besides self-realisation and the practical application of talents, the people of the Scottish capital also have a great love for sport. Activity seems to be in their blood. Even on a regular weekend, many prefer to spend it outdoors, enjoying a scenic walk or a workout with like-minded people. More on iedinburgh.
Sporting diversity
Amateur sports are very well-developed in Edinburgh. So, for those who want to get fit, live a healthy lifestyle and get in great shape, there are plenty of opportunities. The most diverse sports are represented by whole clubs of amateurs, who even hold competitions. This includes everything from athletics, swimming, and ball games to more sophisticated sports like figure skating or… yachting.
The latter, incidentally, has a fascinating history in the Scottish capital. And it all began with one particular organisation responsible for developing, promoting and improving the sport of sailing.
The history of a long-standing yacht club
Before we take a closer look at the organisation, it’s worth noting something unusual about Edinburgh. There are many organisations there that are, in fact, flagships in their field and have a long history. Having survived to this day, they successfully combine the wisdom of ancient traditions with sharp, modern perspectives. In this respect, The Royal Forth Yacht Club is no exception.
As you may have guessed, we’re talking about the organisation that has been entrusted with regulating the beautiful and unusual sport of yachting for many years. It is a club with a fascinating history, which in turn is an integral part of the Scottish capital’s past.
Creation, leadership and a change of name
The Royal Forth Yacht Club was founded on 16 May 1868. However, at the time, the yacht club had a completely different name – the Granton Yacht Club. The creation of such an unusual, at the time, organisation was largely thanks to 26 local gentlemen who were very interested in developing sailing among the people of Edinburgh. The first president of the newly formed organisation was George Stevenson, and the secretary was Robert Darling.
In April 1872, the yacht club changed its name again, becoming the Forth Yacht Club. Then, in 1883, with the blessing of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, it was renamed again. And that is how The Royal Forth Yacht Club came to be. This was followed by a series of celebrations, including lavish refreshments and a fireworks display.
As we know, the development of something truly great always starts small. For example, during the first years of the yacht club’s existence, there wasn’t even a main office where the board could hold meetings. Hotels were used for this purpose. It wasn’t until 1881 that the organisation finally acquired its own building.
Expansion and merger
It’s important to note that besides the yacht club mentioned, other similar organisations were also operating in the Granton area in the north of Edinburgh. In particular, the Eastern Yacht Club. But by the end of the 19th century, its affairs had significantly deteriorated. So much so that it had to sell off its assets. The remaining property and capital were transferred to The Royal Forth Yacht Club.
Another yacht club, the Almond Yacht Club, had also been operating in the same area since 1897. For many years, it functioned successfully alongside The Royal Forth Yacht Club. Interestingly, both organisations worked closely together and even held joint competitions, as their main goal was to develop sailing. The clubs’ views were so aligned that in 1957, the Almond Yacht Club decided to merge with its senior counterpart.
A venue for landmark events
As mentioned earlier, the Granton area is often associated with sailing. It was home to some of the most famous yacht clubs. This didn’t change even after the western harbour was partially filled in during the 1970s. Over time, Granton became a base for both racing and cruising yachts. From the mid-80s onwards, the excellent conditions and growing interest in Edinburgh led to a number of prestigious competitions being held at The Royal Forth Yacht Club.
Thus, sailing and Edinburgh are, to some extent, synonymous. The city’s appeal, combined with its exceptional style, taste, and luxury, contributed to the development of the sport and, of course, the emergence of unique yacht clubs. The Royal Forth Yacht Club is one of them. It can be said, without exaggeration, to be the place where the history of yachting in the Scottish capital was established and developed. This is by no means an overstatement.