TryGOLD- Free

Pushing The Boat Out
The Scots Magazine|June 2023
The Scottish high school pupils charting a different course to success -learning a traditional craft and developing life skills along the way
- JUDY VICKERS
Pushing The Boat Out

JAMES PHIMISTER'S boat Venn is a bit of a superstar - the 16ft wooden rowing boat has featured in an advert for Talisker whisky with Sam Branson, son of Richard, manning the oars.

Venn has also appeared in the BBC's Scotland From The Sky series, as well as in Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish's Men In Kilts TV show and a German cashmere photoshoot.

"Word just gets about," says James, a 45-year-old school technician. But Venn's biggest moment was being rowed across Loch Scavaig by cycling YouTube sensation Danny MacAskill at the beginning of his 2014 film The Ridge.

The connection came through Donald, Danny's cousin, who knows Skye-born James.

"He said they were doing a short film by Loch Coruisk and could they borrow the boat? I had no idea at all what the short film entailed or how successful it would be." 

The Ridge, which sees Danny cycling along the knife-edges of the Cuillin, has now had more than 78 million views.

This boat deserves to be a VIP as she was created for a very special reason.

James says, "I had her commissioned in memory of my dad, George, who always wanted me to build my own boat. I never quite managed to, but hopefully having Venn built is the next best thing.

"She is called Venn which is Norwegian for 'friend'. My dad was my best friend, he passed away in 2012 and our ancestry goes back to those Norwegian stonemasons who sailed over to build Elgin Cathedral."

And the boatbuilders, who lovingly created Venn to James's specifications, were also very special - they were pupils at Plockton High School, where he has worked since 2007.

In what is surely the country's best woodworking class, the west coast school has been building a boat a year since 2007, barring the pandemic years.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of The Scots Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of The Scots Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE SCOTS MAGAZINEView All
Explorer At Heart
The Scots Magazine

Explorer At Heart

Hemiplegic Scots runner Andrew Tomlinson channels his spirit of adventure to record-breaking effect

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2025
A Ranger For A Day
The Scots Magazine

A Ranger For A Day

In Glen Coe, NTS volunteers are a force against invasive species

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2025
A Bird In Its Element
The Scots Magazine

A Bird In Its Element

Follow the poignant life story of a dipper chick, a drama set to a soundtrack of running water

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2025
The Joy Of Planning
The Scots Magazine

The Joy Of Planning

Your mountain expert revisits a favourite book that opened up Scotland for him and kindled a heady delight in plotting a route

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2025
A Disturbing Decline
The Scots Magazine

A Disturbing Decline

Scotland's birth rate has plummeted, storing up problems for the country's future - is this is in part due to pressure on would-be parents?

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2025
Doing It On The Hoof
The Scots Magazine

Doing It On The Hoof

Borders farm worker Graeme Parker has become an online sensation as the Hoof GP, educating millions of followers

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2025
A Forager's Spring
The Scots Magazine

A Forager's Spring

Take a wander through the islands' early bounty - and be inspired to use it

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2025
The Joy And The Terror
The Scots Magazine

The Joy And The Terror

As he approaches 80, screen and stage actor Clive Russell relishes his newfound popularity but admits he still dreads being left idle

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2025
Shaking Up Shortbread
The Scots Magazine

Shaking Up Shortbread

Some big shortie showstoppers are heading for the Highlands...

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2025
Isle of Arran
The Scots Magazine

Isle of Arran

Take a trip out west to \"Scotland in miniature\", an island haven teeming with history, beauty and serenity

time-read
10 mins  |
March 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more