A multimedia exhibition curated by a family of artists to celebrate the centenary of their unique Loch Fyne Skiff opens at the Scottish Maritime Museum on 2 November.
Through GAFFER: Impressions from a Loch Fyne Skiff, the Law family explore the real and imagined stories in the life of Kirsty, which is one of the few surviving Loch Fyne Skiffs and registered with National Historic Ships UK. Pat, Kirsty, Mhairi and Andy Law collaborate through their different arts to capture the spirit of Kirsty, which they have owned and sailed for the last 25 years.
With Pat as lead artist, Mhairi as photographer, Kirsty as composer/musician and Andy as technical producer, they weave together narratives through old and new photographs, salt and peat paintings, drawings, moving image, sound recordings and now-unused objects.
Kirsty was built as a family cruiser in 1921. The design faithfully follows the graceful lines of a Loch Fyne Skiff, a vessel commonly used for ring-net fishing across the West coast of Scotland in the late 19th century.
The exhibition title, ‘GAFFER’, derives from ‘old gaffers’, the colloquial term for boats with a gaff sailing rig like Kirsty’s.
Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, says: “We are thrilled to welcome the Law family and host GAFFER: Impressions from a Loch Fyne Skiff. At the Museum, as well as telling the history of our vessels, we always look to dive deeper to explore the rich stories of the people – the shipbuilders, engineers, inventors and sailors – behind them.
“GAFFER with its exploration of Kirsty’s rich maritime and social history is a wonderful addition to our exhibition programme and will appeal to visitors of all ages and interests.”
Artist Pat Law adds: “The caretakers of traditional boats are both romantic and pragmatic. Adventures and sea-tales abound but many stories lie untold in the timbers. To uncover those untold stories, we went beyond the treasure trove of logbooks, photographs, letters, bills of sale, newspaper cuttings and documents we inherited when we became custodians. We contacted anyone with any connection to Kirsty and visited the original boatyard at Ardmaleish.
“Now, as Kirsty passes her centenary, it feels natural to present all we have uncovered along with the dreams and imaginings we needed to complete the picture. At the heart of GAFFER, Kirsty performs as storyteller; a symbol of connection and continuity merging the past with the present.”
Kirsty was built for David Mowat, Manager of Summerlee Iron Works, Coatbridge, by John Fyfe of the Ardmaleish Boatyard on the Isle of Bute in 1921.
The Bute Fyfes, who were related to the famous Fife yacht building family of Fairlie, Ayrshire, were among the first builders of Loch Fyne Skiffs. They mainly constructed fishing skiffs and cargo boats and Kirsty is believed to be their first venture into yacht construction.
A gaff-rigged ketch sailing yacht made of carvel pitch pine on oak frames, the 37ft Kirsty was purchased by the Law family in 1997.
GAFFER: Impressions from a Loch Fyne Skiff
Saturday 2 November – Sunday 2 February 2025
Scottish Maritime Museum
Linthouse, Irvine Harbourside
Admission to GAFFER: Impressions from a Loch Fyne Skiff is included in Museum admission.
The Museum is open daily 10am – 5pm.
Up to three children go FREE with each Adult/Concession ticket
