ROWING fans across Annan are charting a course for a hectic week of events.
The skiff “Pride of Annan” (PoA) will be returning to the town’s harbour today after competing in the World Championships in Holland.
This is after travelling 2000 miles across the ocean on the back of the ship La Malouine.
Once the skiff returns, it will immediately participate in the Nith Raid on Saturday, travelling from Glencaple to Dumfries and then back again as part of the annual festival celebrating the river.
Sunday will be just as hectic, with the PoA setting off again in the Bell Raid alongside a flotilla of other skiffs, crossing through the Solway and into Bowness.
The Bell Raid is the annual commemoration of a raid in 1626, when a small group of Annan men stole the bell from St Michael’s Church.
While the skiffs are pillaging and plundering, music and dancing will be the main event in the town, with the opportunity to visit La Malouine and the chance to interact with EcoArt artists and see their climate change flag making project.
As well as this, there will be a procession of completed flags led by the Samba Sisters and a piper, before the flags will be hoisted by the masts of La Malouine.
Alan Thomson, of Annan Harbour Action Group, said: “We are expecting a larger than usual turn out of skiffs from the Clyde, Edinburgh and Wigtownshire to join the local crews.
“This should present quite a spectacle for those viewing from Waterfoot, the end of the pipeline and Whinnyrigg.”
