Relatives Visit Boat Named In Fishwife's Honour

Eskmuthe's racing boat, Steedie Falconer, has received some very special visitors.

Relatives of Steedie Falconer were visiting Scotland from Canada and the Cayman Islands when they met members of the Club and one of its two boats - named in  honour of Steedie, one of the last fishwives to work from Fisherrow.

Steedie Falconer was launched from Fisherrow Harbour ten years ago in May and has the number 95 - as the 95th boat launched in the Scottish coastal rowing fleet. By total chance, Steedie had died while the boat was being built - aged 95.

“It was brilliant that members of Steedie’s family saw the boat that has her name while visiting from across the world,” said Eskmuthe Club Captain Gaynor Allen. “Steedie is our racing boat and she’s on the water all the time - and a great reminder of the fishwife traditions of Fisherrow.

“We were delighted to welcome the family.  Steedie’s relatives who still live in the area - especially her daughter Stella Armet - have been great supporters of the club and it was fantastic to  meet more of the family from further afield.”

Nick Armet, Steedie’s grandson and Stella’s son, who lives locally, organised the visit to the boat. He was accompanied by his partner Melinda Illes and the relatives from abroad - including Steedie’s grandchildren Jamie Falconer, and Elenie Falconer-Cloutier.

Jamie was accompanied by his wife Magali and children Eloise and Henri, while Elenie was joined by her husband Bryan Little and their children Charlie and Louis.

“Everyone in the family really appreciated being able to see the boat,” said Nick. “It’s a real honour for the family for it to have Steedie’s name and to know that the rowing club values the traditions of the harbour area. I know my mum Stella really values seeing the boat regularly at Fisherrow.”

Steedie's daugher, Stella Armet, who attended the launch of Steedie Falconer in 2105 with her son Justin, and his children, said: “It’s such a pleasure to see Steedie out on the water and it’s clear that the rowing club really love the boat, and their sport. Eskmuthe is very active and organises lots of events - and as a family, we have always felt welcomed and included in what the club is doing.”

Eskmuthe Rowing Club was founded in 2013, when it launched its first boat, Honesty, named after the Honest Toun of Musselburgh. It has grown quickly and now has almost 100 members, aged between 13 and 74.

Coastal rowing is a relatively new sport, which started in 2010 in Anstruther, Fife, to encourage coastal communities in Scotland and beyond to build, row and race boats called St Ayles Skiffs.

Eskmuthe has travelled all over Scotland, to the north of England and even The Netherlands to take part in social rows and competitions. In July, it is looking forward to racing Steedie Falconer at ’Skiffieworlds’ - the coastal rowing world championships, which are held every three years, this summer in Stranraer in south-west Scotland.