CRAFTSMANSHIP
THE MUSEUM BOATS CLUB, SCOTTISH FISHERIES MUSEUM
DON’T FEAR THE REAPER Meet the team behind the conservation of Scotland’s fishing past WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MERVYN MAGGS
T
he establishment of The
range of his knowledge as a boat
Scottish Fisheries Museum in
owner, designer, engineer,
1969 was an important first
shipwright and fishermen. The
step to representing the
Museum Boats Club was awarded
fishing history of Scotland. Fishing has
the Queens Award for
served an important role in the
Volunteering in 2011 and David
economy of Scotland and UK, with
himself was awarded a BEM for
exports to many European markets at
his services to the Museum and
a time when the fleets were primarily
Scottish fishing heritage in 2017.
engaged in fishing for the ‘silver
Sadly he died earlier this year.
darling’ herring.
Gradually, Reaper grew back
The museum’s enlightened
to her old self. Over the past 30
approach took on the difficult task of
years she has been skippered and
creating a floating section and did not
crewed by the Museum Boats
just relegate the past to static exhibits. This approach was
Facing page,
Club, visiting many ports, mostly on Scotland’s east coast
supported by full engagement with the local community to
clockwise from
and in north east England, where visitors were warmly
conserve and explore the physical methodology of fishing,
top left: John
welcomed on board. This has not happened without the
its people and ancillary industries. This was reflected very
Firn, Rodger
need for continued maintenance and dedication. Time took
soon after the establishment of the museum by a desire to
McAslan, Bob
its toll on the boat and by 2015 plans were being made to
have boats in a seagoing condition; a further impetus to
Flann, Wins
give Reaper a full refit. For this, some major structural work
this ambition was the involvement of Dr Robert Prescott
Stewart, Dave
was needed to ensure seaworthiness, while remaining very
from St Andrews University.
Raeside, Dave
conscious of the need to conserve as much as possible from
Crowther, Ali
her role as a sailing Fifie. This work is now only months away
historic fishing boats that sailed in Scottish waters as well
Beedie and
from completion, with a new foremast ready on the quay
as an ambition to restore a lugsail drifter for the floating
Donald McDonald.
and the interior work and structural elements being finished
museum with public access.
Not shown Chair
by Ali Beedie from Speybuilt Boats.
Dr Prescott had a long and passionate interest in the
A challenge was set and the museum recognised the
Joan Paton; Ali
Alongside maintaining Reaper and White Wing, a 33ft
rarity and difficulty of finding a first-class Fifie herring
Beedie with
(10m) Baldie, the Museum Boats Club have also been
lugger in seagoing condition before they completely
Reaper foremast
involved and assisted in conserving Research LK62, a Zulu
disappeared. Their search ended up with the boat we now
skades; Donald
housed in the museum; Shirly II, a prototype Fifer inshore
know as Reaper FR958.
McDonald
fishing boat; Rose Leaf K160, a small Fifie; Athene KY240, a
measuring from
creel boat; and just to fill in the time, Antares KY23, a 33ft
government-funded work creation, supported by local
Reaper plans;
(10) motor-fishing vessel. All these wonderful boats can be
marine industries and volunteers. Dr Prescott led this
Dave Raeside
seen either afloat or in the museum.
process with his thorough research into all aspects of
working on
design, the social significance, and the skills needed.
Antares; Bob
my visit, was the energy and pride of the club, and the
Over the following years, much of the work was done by
Finally Reaper was restored to be used at sea, and it
What I did notice on the wild and windy winter day of
Flann working on
constant reference to Dr Robert Prescott’s work, research
was recognised that the formation of a group of skilled and
Antares; Dave
and to his spirit. It should also not be forgotten that
knowledgeable people from the community would be
Crowther
professionals are engaged when they are needed and can
beneficial to the boat’s long-term operation, and that of
caulking Antares
be funded, in order to achieve the high standards expected.
other vessels in the collection such as White Wing. The Museum Boats Club was established on 4
A final observation is how this group have realised such high ambitions, working with the museum in the restoration
December 1985 by Gareth Stern, the museum’s director at
of a historic past. Without their work there is no doubt this
that time. The conditions for the club were set out as:
heritage would have been lost forever.
“Use appropriate materials and finishes for authentic
This is nothing but a brief look at the work of the
restoration or accurate reproduction; Maintain vessels in
Museum Boats Club and its relationship with the Scottish
seaworthy and/or exhibition condition; Ensure the safety of
Fisheries Museum. There is no doubt, it is a must see place
public, members of crew.”
when visiting this part of the world.
The group was led by David Tod, chairman of the Museum for 20 years and supported by the very wide
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CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2022
Learn more at scotfishmuseum.org
