With just one month to go before the start of the Scottish Series, historically the north of Britain’s premier annual sailing regatta, entries continue to be received at an encouraging rate.

As it stands, all of the seven divisions IRC, IRC Coastal, Hunter 707, Etchells, Sigma 33, CYCA/YTC, CYCA/YTC Restricted Sail and CYCA/YTC Two Handed, now have strong, competitive field,s and each offers an equal chance of winning the famous Scottish Series Trophy, which was first awarded in the 1970s.

For IRC racers the showcase four-day event, which takes place 23rd to 26th May from Tarbert Loch Fyne, is a key regatta on the Irish Sea's Nations Cup 2025 a joint initiative which seeks to promote mutual support for racing in the Irish Sea areas aggregating results from the IRC Welsh Championships which take place over the first weekend in May out of Pwllheli, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire 10-13th July on Dublin Bay and the Northern Ireland Championships in Bangor 19-20th July.

As yet entries from the other side of the Irish Sea have been relatively slow, despite Ireland traditionally being one of the strongest supporters of Scottish Series and where a very high proportion of past winners of the Scottish Series Trophy have been based.

Organisers Clyde Cruising Club are offering meaningful incentives to augment the usual pleasures of racing on Loch Fyne and enjoying the legendary hospitality ashore.

Roddy Angus, who leads the CCC’s Scottish Series management team explains, “Thanks to an anonymous benefactor that wants to promote inter club racing activity in the UK we are able to offer an incentive that all traveling boats qualifying for the Irish Sea Nations Cup will go into a draw for a free entry to the regatta. There are two lovely runners up prizes of Jura Single Malt Whisky and three third place awards of a case of beer.”

And whilst, like with many regattas in the past, costs of accommodation, launching and berthing spiralled beyond what may have been previously considered reasonable, there are still many good offerings available, coordinated through the race office (Bronwen at the office on 0141 221 2774). Also for sailors or crews looking for a simple ‘plug and play’ option there are a number of Etchells 22 available ex Gourock for charter with free launching if required.

“We are working very hard to rebuild Scottish Series and have gathered great support from our sponsors to a level we can be fully confident of good infrastructure support ashore and good race management on the water. The use of robotic marks for IRC and One Design has overcome the traditional difficulties with deep water mark laying and this has enhanced the quality of the courses and the speed of turnround between races.” Angus enthuses.

There is also free launching in Tarbert for trailer-sailers and some help is available with accommodation.