A wide range of people will learn about Glasgow’s maritime heritage, through a diverse programme of formal and informal training, community engagement and boatbuilding.

Project funding of £325,600 has been awarded through HLF’s Heritage Grants scheme to support what is an ambitious new project. Additional support of £32,167 has been pledged by Historic Scotland to allow the project to proceed.

The project will be based across both partner’s workshops, resulting in four new traditional boats being built for the people of Glasgow. Eight long term apprentices will work towards City and Guilds accreditation in partnership with the Scottish Boatbuilding School at the National Maritime Museum in Irvine. These apprenticeships are open for applications from members of the public, with more details available on the project’s website.

In addition over 200 local people will volunteer on the project, helping to build the boat and learn traditional skills and traditions. To celebrate key stages in the boat’s construction, public events will open the doors of the workshops, culminating in the launch party.

Glasgow’s rich history of ship building is well documented. At one time the Clyde would have been alive with boat building of all shapes and sizes. Today much of this is gone and a noticeably quieter river runs through a dramatically different Glasgow. Anchor and Sail will bring life back to the river and our shared maritime culture.

Gehan McLeod, of the GalGael Trust, said: “Some people in Govan have commented that GalGael have helped give them the river back. We’re excited to be involved in a project that will rebuild a relationship that is important to the area as well as keeping traditional skills alive. This feels even more poignant at a time when the cranes going on the Clyde speak of a further loss of skills and a heritage that is important to Scotland, not just Glasgow."

Frank Brown, of the Clyde Maritime Trust, said: “We are delighted to join our partners, GalGael, in this exciting project. The opportunity to restore an important part of our maritime heritage as well as help preserve and disseminate traditional boatbuilding skills that were once the lifeblood of the Clyde fulfils the trust’s core values. The partnership will result in significant benefits for both organisations and result in a legacy for Glasgow. We thank HLF for their generous support and recognition of the importance of heritage restoration.”

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Our heritage offers a rich resource for skills and education so HLF is delighted to support GalGael where it is being used in such an innovative way. Building traditional boats will provide powerful and memorable experiences for participants, making learning fun and opening their eyes to the heritage which surrounds them. Their newly-learned skills and increased confidence will not only make a positive difference to their own lives but will help ensure that Scotland’s traditional boatbuilding skills are kept safe for the future.”

Miles Oglethorpe, Head of Industrial Heritage at Historic Scotland, said: “the work being done by the GalGael trust to keep these traditional boat building skills alive cannot be underestimated, as just a small number of new entrants to this field can have a national impact. Traditional skills aside, this is an incredibly worthwhile project, which gives a helping hand to people who most need it, and we’re delighted to be able to give it our support.”

Notes to editors

About the GalGael Trust
GalGael works with people who have ended up on the fringes of society. Mostly they are unemployed and often they battle with serious addictions. Their work is centered on restoring a sense of self worth and a sense of belonging and in many ways it is surprisingly simple. They offer a workplace that challenges, inspires and creates the conditions conducive to learning; a space where mistakes are not only made but owned as our best teachers, where issues are left at the door and new identities forged. Over the last few years they have been involved in a wide range of projects including producing the wooden handle of the Queen’s Baton for the Commonwealth Games using traditional boatbuilding techniques. For more information visit the GalGael website.

About the Clyde Maritime Trust
The Clyde Maritime Trust own and operate the Tall Ship Glenlee, providing an iconic and essential heritage resource for the people of Glasgow. Through a service level agreement with Glasgow Council they offer a wide variety of educational experiences for schools and the wider community of the City. For more information visit the official website.

About Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. For more information visit the official Historic Scotland website.