Scottish Sea Farms helps out with island race

Contestants in last weekend’s Craggy Island Triathlon were able to get their bikes across Oban Bay with a little help from salmon producer Scottish Sea Farms.

The event involves a 600 metre swim from the Scottish Sea Farms slipway at the marine on Kerrera Island off Oban on Scotland’s west coast, a 16km bike race around the island and then an 8.5km trail race through the north of the island.

Previously, organisers Durty Events had relied on the scheduled CalMac ferry service to get to and from Kerrera, but this presented some logistical problems, so Scottish Sea Farms made the company’s landing craft Hollie Rose available to transport the racers’ bikes.

Paul McGreal, founder of organiser Durty Events, said: “Craggy Island Triathlon is a much-loved event. It gets amazing support both from our participants and the community of Kerrera over the whole weekend.

“The logistics of the event are tough for us as organisers. Getting that many people, bikes and equipment to the start line is tricky as everything has to move across from Oban by boat.

“We are hugely grateful to Scottish Sea Farms for their support of Craggy Island Triathlon – they literally have made it possible.”

Craig Cameron, Engineering Manager, Scottish Sea Farms

Scottish Sea Farms Marine Engineering Manager for Mainland Craig Cameron was participating in the race as well as helping to organise assistance with the vessel and slipway.

Cameron said: “Durty Events had the whole thing really well organised, with private boats ferrying competitors and spectators to and from the Isle of Kerrera and Scottish Sea Farms’ Hollie Rose transporting the competitors’ bikes.

“It was impressive to see that many people getting to the island with such ease.

“Using the Scottish Sea Farms’ slip on Kerrera worked well too, as it meant people could be taken directly to the north of the island where the main facilities are, rather than to the south as was the case in previous years’ events.

“All in all, it was a real improvement on previous years in terms of logistics, making it more enjoyable for those who turned out on the day.”

He added: “Signing up for an event like this gives you a goal to train towards and a reason to get and stay active.

“On the day, the weather was kind to us, but the course was still challenging as there were some areas so wet underfoot that I thought my bike might disappear. I could also have done without the jellyfish sting!”

Trail race finish, Craggy Island Triathlon 2023