Royal Tay YC - making a mark in the community, not the environment

It’s been all go for our latest RYA Scotland Impact Award recipients over the past couple of years. In 2023, Royal Tay Yacht Club moved into their new clubhouse - closer to the banks of the Tay, and richer in eco credentials and opportunity.

While impressive, the move also provides a wider indication where Royal Tay are at as a club: in terms of a positive ethos; a community centred attitude; and a dedication to expanding their offering for the benefit of members and local organisations.

For the full story, from members of Royal Tay YC themselves, head to our YouTube Channel now.

Speaking to those at the club, two things are clear. Firstly, and like many club structures across Scotland – volunteers are instrumental in keeping things ticking over. Secondly, these volunteers are not work shy.

Sandy Bremner, former Commodore and current Senior Dinghy Instructor tells us: “For a few of us, it was like having full time jobs again” – with reference to the clubhouse relocation project, adding “We’re not a club that rests on its laurels.”

It seems the club’s proactive approach is what made the move a possibility, acting fast when the former residential property (now the Royal Tay YC clubhouse) came onto the market – an opportunity which couldn’t be passed up.

This is not to say the move was without challenge. For many, the former Royal Tay clubhouse held great significance – having hosted countless sailing socials plus the likes of christenings and funerals for many years. But, thanks to good communication, practical reasoning, and the prospect of setting the club up in good stead for many years to come, the wider club membership soon got behind change.

From speaking to former Commodore and current Royal Tay Director Ralph Hopkins at the 2024 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show (where Royal Tay were shortlisted for ‘Green’ Club of the Year) – it’s clear just how much was taken into account when planning the new clubhouse move:

“There’s a sedum roof, we’ve got solar panels, we’ve added electric car charging, we’ve put in a lot of cycle racks to encourage more people to cycle down for their activity.

“The rainwater is recovered to an extent… we’ve done a lot of work recently around the beach and dinghy park and we’re doing a great job of recycling boats within the club and if a boat is beyond repair we’ve been handing them out to schools and youth groups for gardening projects etc.”

Club Convenor Kate Larimer even suggests the move has had a positive impact on volunteer numbers….., with people mucking in to help delivery on and off the water. From dinghy and cruiser racing to coastal rowing, to a ‘men’s shed’ style approach to maintenance and gardening, not to mention frequent ‘craft and craic’ socials in the (efficient) warmth of the new clubhouse – Royal Tay is a club run by it’s members, for it’s members as well as the wider community.

Looking ahead to all that’s to come, current Commodore Greig says the new premises has opened up a wealth of opportunity: 

“The potential for our clubhouse and our facilities are only just tapped – there’s a whole load more we can do. In terms of any sort of transition it’s taken a while for things to settle in and for people to get used to change.

“Looking forward, things like the Tay Watersports Hub, and engagement with the council and local schools, as well as our ongoing affiliation with Dundee University Sailing Club, plus training weekends with the RYA and active regatta weekends we have here – being able to bring people from all across the country here to tap into the facility is really exciting.”

On receiving Royal Tay’s RYA Scotland Impact Award, Greig commented:

“It’s really exciting, it shows the positive dynamics within the club. To get recognition, it’s certainly an honour for all the members here at Royal Tay.”

To find out more about Royal Tay’s activity, why not head to their website or Facebook page?

Know another club, person, or group who deserve an Impact Award? Nominate them today.