This is a past event
A residency program for traditional model-making apprenticeships.
Background
Building ‘boaties ’is a model-making skill that dates back at least 150 years in North-East Scotland. Boaties are based on the traditional Scottish ?shing boat known as the ‘??e ’and sail without rudder, motor, or remote control, depending on the skill of the maker/owner to trim the boat and set the sails to match the conditions. Sizes range from 1-foot-6 to 4 foot, but boats as large as 6 foot have been made in the past. There are a few well-known makers and several others who have the necessary modelling skills.
The centre for hand manufacture is the Peterhead district, especially Boddam, where races are held at the Den Dam on the ?rst Saturday in August. Here the boaties are sailed competitively in various classes. Some of the boaties sailing at the Den Dam go back many years, their hulls having been re-painted and re-? tted many times. Each boatie is named for, and dedicated to, a particular child from the community and, if it wins, that child receives a trophy and a small prize at the New Year ’s party in Boddam village hall.
Project Aims
- To raise awareness of this remarkable craft skill.
- To introduce children and young people to the skill of boatie making.
- To increase participation in the craft, especially among the young.
- To create a website about boatie building and sailing.
- To showcase the craft skill to audiences from Scotland and further a?eld.
- To build on international links with model boat builders in West Sweden.
- To enhance the workshop with appropriate events linked to North-East maritime tradition, including singing, music-making,and storytelling.
The Residency
The residency involves three highly-skilled craft workers from North-East Scotland, Ali Law, Alec James Stephen, and Sandy Forbes, training four new apprentices. They will be joined by junior apprentices from the 2004-2006 residencies, and supported by a group of enthusiasts and volunteers, some of whom are members of the local model yachting clubs, Boddam Junior Model Yachting Association and the Buchanness Model Yachting Club. The project is coordinated by Stephen Ritchie, a former trawler skipper. The residency gives visitors and participants a rare chance to find out about and experience one of Scotland’s less familiar crafts.
The Craft Workers
Ali Law is a marine engineer from Peterhead, who learnt his model-making skills from John Buchan and the late Jim Reid among others. He has built dozens of boats in all sizes, from traditional to hi-tech construction, and his knowledge and skills are widely respected.
Alec James Stephen was apprenticed as a ship’s carpenter and built wooden boats for most of his working life. He was an adult apprentice in the 2004 residency and has built two model boats as a result. He is President of the Boddam Junior Yachting Club.
Sandy Forbes is a highly skilled woodworker and model maker who has built a number of boats. Before retirement he was an expert drill-maker. He is interested in all aspects of heritage.
- Hosted by
- Elphinstone Institute and Peterhead Maritime Heritage Centre
- Venue
- Peterhead Maritime Heritage Centre