History
Banff sailing club was founded in 1975 by a group of local enthusiasts who had
a love of sailing and the sea.
With no premises at this stage the meeting place was more than often the
quayside or a local hotel. A small hut was then acquired no bigger than a garden
shed but adequate for the needs at the time.
Then in 1978 a sectional wooden building formerly Nairn sailing club premises
came up for sale and was duly purchased and transported to Banff to serve as the
clubhouse on the harbour frontage for several years, even after several attempts
by the sea and weather to demolish it. In 1989 the club thought it was time to
expand, with membership growing, into a permanent structure. So when approached
by Banff and Buchan council at that time with an offer to purchase a derelict
stone building on the quayside, the membership was consulted and asked for
financial help. The response was encouraging and the building bought and
converted into the current clubhouse.
The two storey building right on the quayside overlooking the harbour has a
splendid view over the harbour, into the bay beyond to Macduff. The upper storey serves
as the bar area / lounge , with a balcony to enjoy the view. The ground floor
serves as the kitchen area, toilets, shower and storage for race marks etc.
Sailing at first was just for
pleasure, but then as more members began to buy boats of their own a competitive
nature began to emerge and so racing
round a course set in the bay began at Banff sailing club. This continues today
with the courses now set on the day of the race with the clubs rigid inflatable
to give variety.
In 1995 a group of enthusiasts after much hard work reintroduced dinghy sailing
back to Banff harbour under the burgee of Banff sailing club, the club having
purchased some old mirror dinghies and the rigid inflatable required to act as
safety boat with a grant from the foundation of sport and the arts. this
unfortunately has stopped and most of the sailing is now on yachts and is
heading towards cruising rather than
racing.