For the first time in over one hundred years a tall ship sailed into the River Nith. On 18th April 2015, residents, visitors and well wishers lined the banks of the River Nith, near Dumfries, to welcome the coming of the La Malouine! And the skies were blue for the occasion!
La Malouine was on her most recent voyage – a bit of a stormy journey by all accounts – from Granville in France to Kingholm Quay harbour, in South West Scotland. The journey took six days.
She was recently acquired by Roy Kerr of Port of Dumfries Development Group after three years of negotiation. It is hoped that La Molouine will rekindle a love of sailing, and the river, which has had a bad press in recent years due to flooding issues. The occasion certainly brought out an air of celebration and excitement as she sailed gracefully up the Nith!
La Malouine was built in Gdansk, Poland where she was converted into a brigantine (a sailing ship with two-masts) by Oliveier van Meer, a Dutch designer, in 1992, and named ‘Willem’. She carried sailing guests in the charter business at the Baltic Sea where she also took part in match races and many other sailing ship events. She was sold to a French owner and re-named ‘La Malouine’ in 2010.
The tall ship attracted hundreds of people to Kingholm Quay where she is moored and many children were welcomed to have a close up look at the magnificent ship! Described as ‘tall and elegant’, La Malounie’s presence will be a enrich the experience of visitors and locals alike through adding an authentic air to the surroundings, a romantic vision of how things once were and also as a focal point of investigation into the history of the Nith, where Glencaple, Kelton and Kingholm Quay all played important roles as ports on the river.
Volunteers are being sought to help in the restoration process and Roy Kerr is keen for disadvantaged children to have the experience of helping out too.
If you have any photos to share, please contact us at caerlaverockcommunity@gmail.com