Sea, Salts and Sail
The Eyemouth Maritime Festival
12th - 16th August 2004

The first Eyemouth Maritime Festival took place on 12th - 16th August. We were blessed with fine weather and had a great first event. Some photos are currently being compiled to give a flavour of the event. MORE PICTURES OF THE FESTIVAL

Events Include

The Festival will be packed with something for everyone including: Traditional & Classic Sailing Vessels from across the seas - Fish Demonstrations (taste what you see cooking) - Coracle Building and Sailing - Parade of Sail - Classic Scottish Food - Shipwrighting - Rope Making - Sail Making - Boat Restoration - 'World of Boats' museum displays - Figure Head Carving - Rope Work - Crab & Creel Pot Making - Music, Song, Dance and Storytelling - Photographic Exhibition - Floral Displays - Local Arts and Crafts - Heritage Walks - Smugglers Trails - and much much more.

The Boats

During the festival there will be opportunities to see, and in some cases sail, in a diverse range of boats.

The Inchcape Yachts

- Eyemouth is the home of the 'Inchcape Yachts', boats designed and built in Eyemouth and now sailing all over the world. During the festival there will be a 'homecoming' with invitations extended to owners of these boats to celebrate with us in Eyemouth - more information

 

World of Boats

- There will be static displays in the town with a selection of 'World of Boats' extensive collection of boats from all over the world, plus several boats that will be back in their natural environment - 'on the water'.Boats that will be on the water include: A replica of the Bounty Launch made for the 1979 David Lean movie. The Dysart Yawl 'Fleetwing' - built in 1923 and restored in 1994 and one of a very few surviving examples of her kind. The Hastings Beach Boat 'Argonaut' - one of a few surviving sail only, non-motorised, examples of her type. The Clovelly Picaroona 'Sunshine' - believed to be the last surviving example of her type, plus various traditional canoes and coracles. Also on display and 'in the water' will be two boats restored by Eyemouth schoolchildren: The 1906 rowing gig 'Solitaire' - built from timber from the wreckage of the schooner 'Grace'. The 1935 sailing dingy 'Marcus Opus' - built in the unusual 'Anderson' system. - more information

The Music - Our Artists

Our list of musicians and singers for the festival in 2004 is still being compiled but will include representatives from Scotland plus a variety of International Guests: We will have a number of respected musicians from the Scottish Tradition. There will be a combination of concerts and great sessions. 'Eyemouth' will not be one of those festivals based on large concert stages but one with more of a focus on small informal sessions in various spaces.

The Seafood

For several years, Eyemouth was the home to a hugely successful Seafood Festival. 'Sea Salts and Sails' will encorporate elements of the Eyemouth Seafood Festival within its framework.

Crafts

There will be a range of crafts - both local and National. During the festival, woodcarvers will create a figurehead, based on the Eyemouth Herring Queen, out of an oak tree. An example of the woodcarvers work is shown below.

The Venues

The choice of venue has an enormous influence on any event.  Two main factors will have a moulding influence on The Eyemouth Maritime Festival; the wonderful setting of Eyemouth itself and the special sense of community generated by the visiting boats.

There is plenty of reasonably priced accommodation both within and close to Eyemouth.  We will do our best to cater for families and help build the sense of community that exists in all the best festivals.

The hub of the festival will be Gunsgreen House, a magnificent Robert Adam designed mansion house.

Volunteers

The organisers see their job as creating the framework within which all the participants are able to create a special event.  The job of the main organising committee is only the first step towards a successful event and volunteers will be needed to ensure that things run smoothly.  Ideally you will have some relevant experience but the main qualification will be an interest in the festival and a friendly, flexible, can-do attitude.

Tickets

Entry to the main outdoor festival sites will be by wristband / ticket. These will give access throughout each day for a modest price - £3. There is a special rate for a family of £7.50. We are offering ‘Season’ tickets that will give entry to some of the specialist indoor events – including the ‘Late Night Extra’s’. 

Join our mailing list: FESTIVAL MAILING LIST

In July 2004, Eyemouth celebrated the 60th Year of their Herring Queen Festival. It was a wonderful event - setting a high standard for the Maritime Festival to follow. We look to the future, anticipating many years of co-operation to enhance Eyemouth reputation as a 'festival town'. We have some pictures of The Herring Queen Festival, taken by Pete Heywood, on this site to give you a flavour of Eyemouth when it is enjoying its festival. Herring Queen Festival Photos, 2004