A multimedia exhibition curated by a family of artists to celebrate the centenary of their unique Loch Fyne Skiff has opened at the Scottish Maritime Museum.
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 twenty-five 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.
History of Kirsty:
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 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 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.
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.”
GAFFER: Impressions from a Loch Fyne Skiff will show in the Museum’s Linthouse on Irvine Harbourside until Sunday 2 February 2025. Admission is included in Museum admission. The Museum is open daily 10am – 5pm and up to three children go FREE with each Adult/Concession ticket. Read more & book at: www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org
Black and white photograph of Kirsty captured by MHAIRI LAW
