Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

The Scottish Government’s Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill that would have forced marinas and other mooring providers to charge a levy on visitor accommodation — including mooring and berthing for boats — has now been amended. As previously reported on Afloat.ie,…

More than 70 representatives from across the boating community came together for RYA Scotland’s ‘Connected Scotland’ forum in Perth last Saturday (2 March) to talk all things around the development of sailing and related and activities. The event also saw…

The RNLI is on the lookout for budding lifeguards to launch their lifesaving careers on some of the most popular beaches in Scotland, Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK. Recruitment for this season’s lifeguard team has started nationally in…

The “virtual” consultation on the Ossian wind farm project off the Scottish coast has included four live question and answer sessions, along with availability of documentation on the project’s website. The Ossian project is a joint venture between SSE Renewables…

Another first for the fiftieth Scottish Series this year will include RS21 keelboats racing on Loch Fyne. The RS21 Association has included the event as one of its 'Official Series', and that will give the class a chance to start…

The Scottish Government has confirmed that changes will be made to the proposed Visitor Levy Bill, in a move welcomed by marine tourism stakeholders. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the bill had proposed giving powers to local authorities in Scotland…

RYA Scotland has welcomed Philippa Howie to the team as Communication and Engagement Officer. Howie has a longstanding passion for sports, including sailing through her involvement with the Cadets at Solway Yacht Club. Her wider interests led to an education…

Stoura, an old Shetland word for windy and for wide open space, has been selected as the new name for the ESB’s 500MW floating wind farm off the coast of the Scottish islands. Stoura Wind Farm replaces the old name…

RYA Scotland’s 2023 Annual General Meeting was held virtually online on Thursday 26 October with a review of the past 12 months of sailing in Scotland from the board of directors. The diverse work of RYA Scotland covers the planning,…

Five Scottish nationals have successfully completed the first major ocean crossing of the Clipper 2023-24 Race. The group of Race Crew members were part of over 200 participants from across the globe who had gathered in Punta Del Este, Uruguay,…

The RC35 Championship has concluded for 2023, with Ben and Jono Shelley in their J109 'Mocking J' claiming their inaugural Championship victory. The final event, The North Clyde Regatta hosted by Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club, started with Charlie Frize’s…

Yasmin Price has been appointed to the board of RYA Scotland as Youth Director. The voluntary role sets out to represent the voice of young people under the age of 25 in the Scottish boating community and provide support and…

A lease has been secured for the expansion of James Watt Marina on the River Clyde, clearing the way for the development of a new marine trade centre for western Scottish waters, as Marine Industry News reports. Marine services firm…

RYA Scotland highlights that the Visitor Levy Bill is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament. The bill, currently at Stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament, proposes giving power to local authorities to decide whether to charge a levy on…

Northern Ireland sailors are showcasing their skills at the 75th Anniversary of West Highland Yachting Week in Scotland. Michael Petticrew's Nicholson 43 Magdaleyne from East Down Yacht Club on Strangford Lough took second place in the Gigha to Craobh Feeder Race,…

A man rescued near Cairnryan in western Scotland after going overboard from a ferry from Belfast Lough on Saturday evening (1 July) has died in hospital, as BelfastLive reports. The Stena Line Superfast VIII ferry’s own rescue craft was deployed…