John M. MacAulay - Fernhaven, - Flodabay, - Isle of Harris. - HS3 3HA. Tel:01859 530340

Builder of the Hebridean`Birlinn` model

`COASTAL AND ISLAND BOATS`
continued..........

a bygone era. and they carry the identity, at least in name, if not truly in character, of the original.

There is a real problem in the lack of an organised training facility in Scotland for people wishing to learn traditional boat-building skills, either as a career or a personal interest.

lt would be natural to assume that boat-building always took place where there was an adequate supply of suitable timber. This was true in many instances, and still is in specific regions throughout the world wherever a sustainable supply of material exists. One good example is Norway, in particular the Hardanger Fjord area, regarded as the foundation of Norway's extensive boat-building industry However, there have been say.other boat-building areas where absolutely no timber grew. The islands of Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides, always completely dependent on communication by sea do not support the means to fabricate any kind of boat apart from the primitive hide-covered curragh or coracle. Yet the finest boats have been built in these islands, at string. Yet the finest boats have been built in these islands, at least since the Norse occupation. Some boats were imported from Norway built in 'knock-down' form, dismantled for transportation, and reassembled on arrival. It may be assumed that with these models boat building skills first developed in the islands.

Sawn timber was later transported from Norway and the Baltic region. if we consider the current situation in Scotland, we find that there are very few places where the right materials exist on the doorstep. We no longer have the specialist sawmills that supplied the boatyards around the coast.....

Books by John MacAulay:
Birlinn, Longships of the Hebrides
(White Horse Press)

Seal-folk and Ocean Paddlers
( White Horse Press)

click on icon to view line
drawing of 19ft sailing boat

Glossary of Terms used
in this article