A desire to bring attention to a model-making skill which dates back at least 150 years was the motivation behind a very unusual craft residency taking place in Peterhead this summer.

The residency at Peterhead Maritime Heritage Museum is devoted to the building of model sailing boats called ‘boaties’.  Its aim is to both raise awareness about the remarkable craft skills unique to the north east and to introduce children and young people to the skill of boatie making.

A boatie is based on the traditional Scottish fishing boat known as the ‘fifie’ and  sails without rudder, motor or remote control, depending on the skill of the maker/owner to trim the boat and set the sails appropriately.  They are made in various sizes from 1 foot 6 to 4 foot. 

The centre for hand manufacture is the Peterhead district, especially Boddam, where there is an annual event on the first Saturday in August at the Den Dam when the boaties are sailed competitively.  All the Boddam boaties are named for an dedicated to a particular child from the community, anad if they win that child receives a trophy and a small prize at the New Year’s party in the village hall.

The residency involves four well-known and highly skilled makers – John Buchan, Jim Reid, Sam Allen and Alastair Law – supported by a group of enthusiastic volunteers.  It is supported by The Elphinstone Institute, Scottish Arts Council and Aberdeen Arts and Heritage.

The residency gives everyone a rare chance to find out about one of Scotland’s less familiar crafts and if you have time and enthusiasm you can have a go at building a boatie.   The residency started on 8 June and there are currently four boats in the process of being built by a variety of visitors and volunteers aging from secondary school pupils to 70 year olds. 

As well as watching work in progress or helping to build a boatie there are two models of boaties, which are museum pieces, and lots of other information.

The residency is taking place at the Peterhead Maritime Heritage Centre, South Road, Peterhead (tel: 01779 473000) and is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30 am to 12.30 and from 2pm to 4pm.   The residency finishes on 28 August 2004.