West Highland Yachting Week

‘WEST HIGHLAND YACHTING WEEK’ enters a new era moving forward with a number of sponsors and supporters helping to run the event. 2010 will be the 63rd anniversary of this historic and popular regatta, the second largest event on the Scottish racing scene and a unique event.

Ever aware of the need to further develop and enhance West Highland Yachting Week, the Joint Regatta Committee is actively seeking new sponsors to grow WHYW to be the biggest regatta in Scotland. Those already involved see the benefit of being associated with this much-loved event – for many the most popular of them all. Last year WHYW was the only regatta to show a year on year increase in entries - join us and reap the benefits of being involved with Scotland’s fastest growing sailing event!

Tunnock’s

Tunnock’s are back on board for 2010 and the spinnaker classes are known as the ‘Tunnock’s Fleet’. The support of this well known Scottish firm is fitting for a unique Scottish regatta. This year there will top-up packs of Tunnock’s famous teacakes and biscuits to fill the Tunnock’s survival packs that are a ‘must have’ on board! Boyd Tunnock CBE, managing director and grandson of the founder of Thomas Tunnock Ltd, is a familiar face on the Scottish racing scene and a regular competitor at West Highland Yachting Week.

The Oban Common Good Fund

The Oban Common Good Fund came in to support the event in 2009 and has continued this for 2010 recognising the input from the regatta to the community of Oban. As an event that has had one of its bases in Oban for 63 years the benefit to the town is immense. This is seen both in term of economic input from the regatta and the Festival atmosphere created within the town which in itself is a major attraction for both locals and visitors.

Tobermory Single Malt Scotch Whisky

New for 2010 is support from Tobermory Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Whisky distilling and sailing go back centuries on the west coast in particular with Tobermory whose history is steeped in stories of adventures at sea. The partnership of a good West Highland whisky brand with the event is particularly appropriate since Tobermory is one of the regatta’s most popular venues.

Tobermory Harbour Association

Another new supporter for 2010 is Tobermory Harbour Association (THA). The Association sees the event as being of major benefit to everyone in the community of the island. As well as offering free anchorage in Tobermory Bay and moorings for hire, THA operates the pontoon berths at Ledaig which offer fuel, power and water plus the new all facilities building ashore in Taigh Solais. The ethos of THA is to provide 'facilities for all' and encourage visitors afloat to bring benefit throughout the Island.

The Crown Estate

The Crown Estate is supporting West Highland Yachting Week as part of a wider programme to promote sailing on the west coast, which offers major economic benefits for coastal communities. As well as funding a wide variety of projects through its Marine Communities Fund, The Crown Estate has invested in pontoon and onshore facilities at Tarbert and also in Tobermory, one of the venues of West Highland Yachting Week. The Crown Estate, through its licensing scheme, also plays the lead role in managing the provision of mooring space for the Scottish Boating Community.

Caledonian MacBrayne

Caledonian MacBrayne’s ferries link ports on the western seaboard with lifeline transport services to the islands and their communities. The ferries are a well known sight for competitors during the event – and well used by guests and visitors who come to view the regatta. Whilst the WHYW fleet sail between Craobh, Oban and Tobermory, CalMac’s ferry fleet sails to 24 Scottish destinations. Oban is not only a base for WHYW but the Gateway to the Isles and it is in the light and airy surroundings of the Caledonian MacBrayne Departure Lounge that The Skipper’s Reception is held on Monday evening hosted by Caledonian MacBrayne.

West Coast Motors

West Coast Motors are laying on special transport between Dunstaffnage and Oban to link up with après sail events, particularly the Kerrera Capers on Sunday evening at Oban Marina. West Coast Motors has been bringing people together since 1923 much as WHYW has been attracting sailors for 63 years! And the famous West Coast Motors’ open topped Double Decker will provide a great spectacle during the event being used for the Oban High School Pipe Band tour of Oban on Monday night. A bus and ferry timetable is included in competitors’ packs.

BP Marine

BP Marine has been a long time supporter of WHYW supplying the all important fuel for some of the committee boats needed to run such an event.

Argyll and Bute Council

The support from Argyll and Bute Council is acknowledged in naming the restricted sail classes ‘The Argyll Fleet’ on the two days the fleets race separately. This partnership reflects the economic and social importance of WHYW to the wider community of Argyll and Bute.

The JRC gratefully acknowledges the support of all sponsors that ensures the success of West Highland Yachting Week into the next decade and beyond.