Esky Eleven Explore Inchkeith

Eleven intrepid Eskmuthers (including two guests from Row Porty) spent the day rowing from the Fisherrow base out into the Forth to make land at Inchkeith Island.

The abandoned island, 6 nautical miles (10km) into the Forth has been used as a military base, and internment camp for people with diseases and has a lighthouse designed by Robert Stevenson and Thomas Smith.

After 2.5 hours of leisurely rowing in near-perfect conditions, the crew were welcomed to the island by the sound of seals and birds calling from Long Craig. 

The two skiffs were then met in the island’s West Harbour by two boats from Fisherrow Harbour - Calypso and Remedy - which had made the journey to provide safety support if required.

A brief picnic on the island and the only shower of the day was followed by a navigation around the series of rocks and beaches surrounding Inchkeith. At Seal Carr, a colony of seals joined the boats for a short while showing as much curiosity in the humans as the crew had for them.

At East Stell Point, a flock of puffins also provided more excellent photos.

With conditions remaining excellent, the crews made good time back across the Forth and stopped in Portobello for refreshments from The Espy before heading back to Fisherrow in time for the evening tide.