Musselburgh’s new community skiff has been named Steedie Falconer, after a former Fisherrow fishwife who passed away earlier this year.

The skiff, which will be launched from Fisherrow on Sunday, was built by members of Eskmuthe Rowing Club over the winter at Prestongrange Museum.

It was named after Mrs Falconer, who died in January, aged 95.

Twenty-five members of the club put in an estimated 1,200 hours of work to build the 22ft-long skiff, which is based on a traditional Fair Isle fishing boat. Steedie will join the club’s existing skiff Honesty, which was launched in 2013.

The club began building its second boat in October last year at the museum, and less than six months later another St Ayles Skiff has emerged.

The Eskmuthe Skiffies were helped to build the boat by craftsman and yachtsman Stuart MacDonald, who stepped in as the club’s technical director.

Club secretary Gaynor Allen said: “We found out naming a boat was a bit like naming a baby, but we had to get an entire club to agree as opposed to just two parents.

“One of our members saw a letter written by Steedie Falconer’s grandson and we thought it would be perfect.

“Steedie represented all of the hard-working women who carried the creels from Fisherrow. Our thanks go to Steedie’s family for allowing us to name our skiff after this totally amazing lady.” Community coastal rowing began in Scotland about five years ago, when the Scottish Fisheries Authority commissioned Iain Oughtred to build a skiff based on the Fair Isles fishing boat for its museum in Anstruther. Alec Jordan set about turning the plans into a kit, which has been sold throughout the world.

Port Seton was the first community to build a St Ayles skiff after the prototype, and now the town’s club Boatie Blest has three skiffs. North Berwick has two boats and Dunbar also has two.

Eskmuthe club is always happy to welcome new members of all ages and levels of fitness to coastal rowing.

Gaynor said: “This is a growing sport and a very easy sport to pick up.” To find out more about the club, email eskmuthe@gmail.com Musselburgh’s new community skiff has been named Steedie Falconer, after a former Fisherrow fishwife who passed away earlier this year.

The skiff, which will be launched from Fisherrow on Sunday, was built by members of Eskmuthe Rowing Club over the winter at Prestongrange Museum.

It was named after Mrs Falconer, who died in January, aged 95.

Twenty-five members of the club put in an estimated 1,200 hours of work to build the 22ft-long skiff, which is based on a traditional Fair Isle fishing boat. Steedie will join the club’s existing skiff Honesty, which was launched in 2013.

The club began building its second boat in October last year at the museum, and less than six months later another St Ayles Skiff has emerged.

The Eskmuthe Skiffies were helped to build the boat by craftsman and yachtsman Stuart MacDonald, who stepped in as the club’s technical director.

Club secretary Gaynor Allen said: “We found out naming a boat was a bit like naming a baby, but we had to get an entire club to agree as opposed to just two parents.

“One of our members saw a letter written by Steedie Falconer’s grandson and we thought it would be perfect.

“Steedie represented all of the hard-working women who carried the creels from Fisherrow. Our thanks go to Steedie’s family for allowing us to name our skiff after this totally amazing lady.” Community coastal rowing began in Scotland about five years ago, when the Scottish Fisheries Authority commissioned Iain Oughtred to build a skiff based on the Fair Isles fishing boat for its museum in Anstruther. Alec Jordan set about turning the plans into a kit, which has been sold throughout the world.

Port Seton was the first community to build a St Ayles skiff after the prototype, and now the town’s club Boatie Blest has three skiffs. North Berwick has two boats and Dunbar also has two.

Eskmuthe club is always happy to welcome new members of all ages and levels of fitness to coastal rowing.

Gaynor said: “This is a growing sport and a very easy sport to pick up.” To find out more about the club, email eskmuthe@gmail.com