3 days ago
Rescue heroine Grace will inspire coastal rower Adam
Adam Wilson, 18, will be among those flying the flag for the Musselburgh based Eskmuthe Rowing Club when the internationally renowned SkiffieWorlds coastal rowing competition takes place in Loch Ryan, Stranraer, from July 6-12.
And Adam has revealed a special source of inspiration – a family connection with Victorian rescue heroine Grace Darling.
In 1838, Grace Darling, along with her Longstone Lighthouse keeper father, William, braved a ferocious storm to row in a small coble to the rescue of nine shipwreck victims off the Farne Islands gaining widespread acclaim in the process.
SkiffieWorlds, the World Championship of St Ayles class of coastal rowing, takes place every three years and with record numbers – 2000 rowers from 79 clubs as far away as Australia – will be the biggest ever gathering of wooden St Ayles skiff boats, which are hand built by the competing clubs.
Already a keen rower, Adam Wilson discovered a family connection to Grace Darling while researching his family tree.
He said: 'When I found out, I was amazed. I am very proud to be related to her. I had heard the story of Grace before but didn't make any connection that she was part of my family. I've always liked the sea, but when I started researching my family's connections to the sea, I gained a personal link. Now it's not just random history; it's my personal history.'
Before he discovered his seafaring heritage, Adam Wilson was encouraged by a family friend to have-a-go at coastal rowing – and he proved to be a natural.
He adds, 'I guess it was fate. I enjoyed it so much that I did two sessions. There was a club race afterwards and as they were one person short I ended up racing in that as well.
'Some of the older members of my family still have Darling as a middle name, but I don't. In more modern times everyone has completely forgotten the connection.'
Wilson trains with his Eskmuthe crewmates twice a week, plus additional gym sessions to build racing stamina.
'Rowing was the thing that got me physically active again after lockdown. Mentally it allows you to disconnect completely and gives something positive to focus on. You just forget about everything else' said Adam, adding:
'It's my first SkiffieWorlds so I am excited to take part in the event. I have competed in day regattas before, but this is bigger than anything I have done before.'
'Steedie Falconer' is the skiff Eskmuthe Rowing Club will be racing at SkiffieWorlds 2025. It is named after a formidable female character, Steedie Falconer – the last ever Fisherrow fishwife. She died aged 95 before the boat was launched and by chance was allocated the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association registration number 95.
Adam says: 'Steedie Falconer is the best, and everyone's favourite. I think her spirit is also with the boat when we're rowing it.'
* Fisherrow and Musselburgh were two separate historic communities either side of the River Esk, and the club was named Eskmuthe to honour them both. The club's first boat was called Honesty after the Honest Toun of Musselburgh.
* Adam Wilson will be competing in both the male and mixed under-19 teams with the former also comprising Logan McLeod, Finlay Wishart, Savva Nazarov coxed by Gaynor Allen. The under 19 mixed crew also comprises Logan McLeod, Rhona Milne, Lily Henderson coxed by Gaynor Allen
* The triennial SkiffieWorlds world championship will see more than 2,000 rowers from 79 clubs, from Scotland and the UK as well as rowers travelling from as far away as the Netherlands Canada, USA, South Africa, and Australia.
* Eskmuthe Rowing Club's youngest rower is 13 and their oldest 73.
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Pictured is Grace Darling, who is related to SkiffieWorlds rowing championships competitor Adam Wilson from Eskmuthe Rowing Club Musselburgh, East Lothian.
Photography from: Colin Hattersley Photography
Adam Wilson PHOTO: Colin Hattersley Photography
Adam (front) is pictured launching out to sea from Fisherrow Harbour, Musselburgh with his Eskmuthe Rowing Club team-mates. PHOTO – Colin Hattersley Photography
Adam (second from left) is pictured at sea near Fisherrow Harbour, Musselburgh with his Eskmuthe Rowing Club team-mates. Photography – Colin Hattersley Photography
Adam (centre, holding oar) is pictured in Fisherrow Harbour, Musselburgh, with his Eskmuthe Rowing Club team-mates. Photo: Colin Hattersley Photography –
Adam (second from left) is pictured at sea near Fisherrow Harbour, Musselburgh, with his Eskmuthe Rowing Club team-mates. Photography from: Colin Hattersley Photography –
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