Enter now for the 2025 Ceilidh Cup

RYA match racing heads to Scotland

05 Aug 25

Two teams match racing Sonar keelboats at the Ceilidh Cup in Scotland with grey sky and green hills.

The RYA National Match Racing Series will be returning to the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club in Scotland for its final qualifier of 2025 – the Ceilidh Cup.

Taking place over the weekend of 4-5 October, the popular annual event also incorporates the Scottish Student Sailing (SSS) Match Racing Championship.

It is Scotland's only match racing championship and as ever will also be the first event of the academic year for students in Scotland – making it an ideal opportunity for teams to see old friends, make new ones and rekindle old rivalries.

Teams from clubs and universities across Scotland and beyond are invited to #rockupandrace at Rhu aboard Royal Northern & Clyde YC’s fleet of ready-to-go Sonar keelboats.

Up to 12 places are available with an opportunity for the winners to then compete at the Grand Finals for the national series at London’s Queen Mary Sailing Club, 17-19 October 2025.

Early bird entry for the Ceilidh Cup is £330 per team (4/5 crew, maximum weight 350kgs) before 23.59 on 11 September 2025; it is then £360 per team after and until 12 noon on 26 September 2025. Find the Notice of Race for the series at RYA Match Racing.

Enter now for the Ceilidh Cup & Scottish Student Sailing Match Racing Championship

Two teams at the Ceilidh Cup match racing RNCYC Sonar keelboats downwind with spinnakers flying and one team holding up a protest flag.

Both rookie and experienced sailors and teams are welcome to take part, and the event traditionally offers a first taste of match racing for many university students.

The 2024 edition saw eight teams competing, with the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club taking overall victory on home waters to claim the Ceilidh Cup, and Strathclyde University winning the Scottish Student Sailing title.

SSS Yachting Captain Oli Dunton said: "This is the first event of the year for Scottish student sailors so it's always a fun one! It’s also one of our only opportunities to try match racing which really brings out the competitiveness in our teams!"

For 2025, the race area is again set to be at East Patch, just off Helensburgh at the top of the Firth of Clyde, combining optimum conditions with a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Event coordinator Eilidh Millar added: “It’s a beautiful place to sail and there is no other match racing event north of the border, so it’s really popular and definitely one of the highlights of the Scottish sailing calendar.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming teams from both clubs and universities, and as usual for those who are competing for the SSS title, it’s also a perfect opportunity to bring along freshers to introduce them to keelboat and match racing.”