the yole

OPEN DAY 25th AUGUST 2007

RED KIRK, WARD ROAD, ROSEHEARTY

Contact: Ian S. Downie, 26 Brucklay Street, Rosehearty. (01346) 571292

Rosehearty was, within living memory, a centre of YOLE building, which not only supplied boats along the Buchan Coast but also to the West Coast and the North of Ireland. In some areas of the West Coast up to a quarter of the small boats were Rosehearty built.

The concept behind the Yole Project Is twofold. Firstly to build a boat for the benefit of Rosehearty and secondly to retrain traditional skills in building traditional craft.

There is a wide and growing interest in the U.K. and Europe in traditional, wooden boat building, particularly in small craft, and perhaps Rosehearty can capitalise on this as people are beginning to realise that they have a rich heritage which should not be allowed to wither away.

A consensus decided the "Lloyd George", FR 348 was a good model of a boat to try to recreate as she was an easily handled and fast Yole. Considerable research and a transcript of the registry from the old Fishing Boats Register enabled a plan to be drawn and a half model built for evaluation. The committee, with the help of experienced and knowledgeable people, recommended slight modifications to the half built model, which have been Implemented in a new plan.

A full model will be built from the modified plan in exactly the same way as the actual Yole, with Clinker planking, steam bent frames and complete with fittings such as oars, mast, sail, rudder etc.

A scale model such as this will give the community a preview of the finished article and also provide a focus for sponsorship and promotion of the Rosehearty Project.

There have been a number of volunteers to help build the YOLE, including those with experience and a number keen to learn traditional skills.

On a historical note, one of the volunteers is a direct descendant of John Taylor who built 'Lloyd George' in Rosehearty in 1908.

It is a testament to the builder that she lasted into the early 1970's. However, she survived only a short time after 'Francie' was prevailed upon to sell her. The project is going well as we have acquired copper nails and larch planking which has been paid for by various sponsors. Although the mast, yard, oars and a sail will be needed at a later stage, we have the basic materials to begin building.

To ensure the YOLE is as near to the original as possible, the loan of photographs would be much appreciated. All photos will be returned to their owners. 'Lloyd George' was 17 feet, 6 ins. in length, painted white with a black bottom. She may feature in photos of the Old Harbour or Port Rae Harbour, Rosehearty.