The completion of SV Muirneag will mark the beginning of a new chapter not just for the vessel, but for the people, communities, and coastal traditions she will serve.
Muirneag will not be a static museum piece, but a living, working ship that contributes actively to Scotland’s cultural, educational, environmental and economic life.
Recent decades have given rise to a new role for historic working boats – both those that survived the 20th century, and modern recreations: Embodying cultural links to our past while providing life changing opportunities to young people through sail training.
In Scotland, we have one such vessel in the Shetland’s SV Swan, a 75ft Fifie. The work of the Swan Trust is a shining example of a vessel truly woven into the fabric of a community, providing a glimpse at the past and becoming a feature of the lives of almost every young person on the island.
In operation, SV Muirneag’s primary function will be as a sail training ship: Providing life changing opportunities for young people from the West Coast of Scotland and further afield. Joining SV Swan in filling this role, the vessel will double Scotland’s capacity for traditional sail training, preserve and promote at risk traditional seafaring skills and provide new opportunities for experienced crew and seafarers.
Ullapool and Stornoway ports are already sought after destinations for historic training vessels from all over Europe, having played host to events including the Tall Ship Races and Luggerfest, as well as counting training ships: Swan, Oosterschelde, Tecla, Wylde Swan, Barque Europa and Statsraad Lehmkuhl among regular visitors. The area being represented through a remarkable vessel of our own would only serve to strengthen links with the European sail training community, putting us on the map as part of an international community of extraordinary traditional vessels.
Muirneag will be built with a dedicated lab space on board for passengers, trainees and volunteers to contribute to citizen science efforts such as monitoring and recording water quality, sea temperature, mammal and seabird counts in addition to remote beach cleaning activities.
The vessel’s annual program will include frequent and varied opportunities for community and public engagement with SV Muirneag and her history, including:
Regular day sails and passenger trips.
Open days while alongside.
Collaborations with museums, heritage and cultural organisations.
Representing Scotland, our maritime and seafaring heritage at traditional boat festivals across northern Europe.
We’re in no doubt as to the scale of the task of maintaining a large wooden vessel. As well as the required input from professional contractors, we will provide opportunities for volunteers to become involved in the ongoing maintenance program. Volunteering opportunities will also be provided for the sailing, operation and maintenance of SV Muirneag.
For young people interested in a career at sea, volunteering is a key (and often difficult to access) step in the transition from sail trainee to paid crew.
In order to sustain SV Muirneag and steward her in to the next century, the vessel’s operations as a community asset will be complemented by a program of income generating activities:
From the example of similar ships, there is clear and significant demand for private and corporate charter.
Drinks receptions, product launches, award ceremonies – functions and events that need an unforgettable location.
Team building and corporate retreats – traditional sailing skills are the ultimate test and team-builder.
Charters – fully crewed opportunities for private clients and other small groups to explore the West Coast of Scotland and Western Isles.
Visually striking, and clearly linked to a number of marketable themes, SV Muirneag has strong potential as a compelling addition to marketing activities across a range of sectors. Taking a collaborative and flexible approach, we will work with partners and clients to ensure maximum impact and return on investment across a variety of use-cases.
One area in which we anticipate particular demand is for the use of SV Muirneag for small volume cargo deliveries of heritage products such as whiskey and traditional foodstuffs.
SV Muirneag will be made available and marketed in relevant directories as a location for film and TV, both docked and at sail.
In the winter months, where far less sailing activity is possible, we are exploring the feasibility of SV Muirneag as a unique accommodation destination.
Ullapool Harbour – an idyllic location for a few nights stay on an historic Herring Lugger berthed in the harbour.
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Help bring the SV Muirneag to life by sponsoring a plank - your personal contribution to the largest traditional wooden boat build in Scotland for decades.
Every plank brings us one step closer to launching this historic vessel and ensuring her future as a self-sustaining community asset.
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