Will be taking place in April at Newhaven Harbour and the Heart of Newhaven Community Centre. The event is hosted and created by Newhaven Coastal Rowing Club, who welcome you to celebrate Newhaven’s rich coastal connection with boat launches, celebrities, craft workshops, choirs, live bands, boat races, storytelling, RNLI safety demonstrations, and interactive exhibitions that bring the maritime history of Newhaven to life.

Coastal rowing is one of the fastest-growing sports across Scotland and is now spreading across the world to countries such as the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. The Scottish Coastal Rowing Association was formed in 2010 to encourage communities to get involved in the building and rowing of boats, principally the St Ayles skiff.

There are now over 100 clubs and 300 boats registered worldwide. All the skiffs are built to the same specifications - 22 feet long, carrying a crew of five, with four rowers and one coxswain to steer and coach the team. The sport fosters a deep sense of community and teamwork and is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Newhaven Coastal Rowing Club was established in 2009, and over 300 people watched the launch of their first skiff, the ‘Wee Michael’, in November that year. The boat was fully funded and built by the local community and named by Newhaven’s Victoria Primary School pupils after the ‘Great Michael’, the legendary 16th-century warship built in Newhaven.

Since then, the club has expanded, adding two more boats to its fleet – ‘Bow Tow’, a smaller Wemyss skiff, and ‘Troika’, which was generously donated by the Muirhouse Youth Development Group in 2024. These boats have become a familiar sight in and around Newhaven Harbour, Crammond Island, Inchmickery, and along the North Edinburgh coastline.

2025 marks 900 years since Edinburgh was formally established as a burgh. To mark this incredible milestone, Newhaven Coastal Rowing Club is hosting a free community festival, Seafaring Spirit, celebrating Newhaven’s role in Edinburgh’s history and the area’s deep-rooted coastal heritage.

One of the most exciting moments of the day will be the official launch of the club’s two newest boats, with the Trinity Sea Cadets providing a guard of honour, a piper salute, and local rowing clubs lined up with oars raised to pay tribute to the new boats.

To add to the excitement, none other than Dame Katherine Grainger, the most decorated female rower of all time will be performing the ceremonies! Famously winning a gold medal in the double sculls at the 2012 London Olympics, along with four silver medals across five Olympic Games. Since 2017, she has served as Chair of UK Sport, promoting high-performance athletics and grassroots sports across the country. Her presence at the festival is a huge honour and reflects the growing interest in coastal rowing.

After the excitement of the launches, make sure to cheer on Newhaven as they race their skiffs against other local clubs in front of the Western Harbour. The RNLI will also be on hand to give safety demonstrations and offer a lifejacket clinic—we’re hoping their lifeboat will make a guest appearance too!

The festival is more than just about rowing though - it’s a full day of entertainment and hands-on experiences for all ages. Soak up the festival atmosphere and enjoy sea shanties and jaunty gigs with music and singing from local groups including the Newhaven Choir, Castle Chorus, the Edinburgh Ukrainian Choir, the Shanty Band, and the Grassmarket Band. Alternatively, choose to be enthralled with stories from the high seas as you listen to local storyteller Jan Bee Brown weave her tales.

Discover how Newhaven’s relationship with the sea has evolved over the centuries through interactive exhibitions. Get creative in one of the fun craft workshops throughout the day - design your own model boat, fantastic fish, Newhaven Lighthouse, or even a seagull puppet!

Or, head to the harbourside and put your knot-tying skills to the test! The Leith Scout troop will be demonstrating five essential knots that everyone should know—perfect for any budding sailor. You’ll never get your Clove Hitch muddled with your Bowline again!

With so much to see and do, the Seafaring Spirit Festival promises to be a fantastic day out for families, history buffs, and maritime enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re watching the boat races, enjoying the music, or learning something new, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss! ■

David Thrall

Info: Seafaring Spirit, Newhaven’s Maritime Festival, Saturday 26th April 2025, (10am – 4pm) Free

Facebook: The Newhaven Coastal Rowing Club page will update as we get nearer the festival