MSPs sail with under-threat Forth Corinthian Yacht Club

Around a dozen MSPs will don life jackets and take to the water on Monday (September 20) following an invitation from an under-threat Scots yacht club.

Forth Corinthian - who claim to provide affordable sailing for all - believe that multi-million pound developments in and around Granton proposed by Forth Ports will hit them hard.

The move follows the recent introduction of a motion at Holyrood signed by over a quarter of MSPs. Liberal Democrat Mike Pringle called on Forth Ports to incorporate adequate facilites for the club in their multi-million plans for Granton Harbour.

Willie Barr, the club's sailing secretary, who steered his yacht, Firecrest, to victory in the recent East Coast Sailing Week, added: "The motion gained an extraordinarily high level of support and it noted that our membership is gathered from across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

"We are extremely concerned that the redevelopment of the area for housing will jeapordise our facilities.

"Under the plan, which we have objected to, there is no provision for the winter and summer storage of boats and there is nowhere else to go as Royal Forth, Port Edgar, Cramond and Fisherrow are full. "There is also no provision for the storage of tenders or dinghies, for a workshop and secure storage for equipment such as outboard motors, mooring chains or buoys.

"Furthermore, the plans also show no provision for toilets, showers, access to the water or changing rooms."

He added: "We fully support the redevelopment of Granton as it will undoubtedly lead to a much improved environment.

"However, our objections have been made because we feel we face a real threat to the continuance of the Forth Corinthian Sailing Club.

"We also consider that the planning application will impact on the facilities for visiting yachts from the likes of Norway, Denmark and Germany.

"And we firmly believe the best way of showing what we have to offer the general public who want to sail is to take the MSPs out onto the water."

Mr Barr, a youth worker in Leith, and who is keen to see more youngsters taking up the sport, added: "We'll go for a short sail from Granton Harbour and then bring the members back to our clubhouse for a bite to eat and a drink.

"We aim to make this a pleasant experience for the parliamentarians and we hope to show them how much pleasure people derive from the sport of sailing."