We all thought the coracle (curach) had died out as a traditional working boat in Scotland in the 18th Century with the cessation of timber floating on the River Spey. The oldest surviving coracle in the world, an original Spey Curach from that time is proudly displayed at Elgin Museum. However this was not the last coracle to be used in Scotland – and that didn’t happen until the latter 20th Century!
Anyone who has been for a paddle on many of the country’s rivers in the past few years will have noticed much litter floating around, or caught in overhanging branches. I’m sure many members will have picked up litter in their time, and found the coracle a very convenient craft for this purpose. Is this a chance to get the coracle a new lease of life as a working boat?
In May 2025 when I drove down to Cilgerran on the Teifi for a short break, I made a pilgrimage to Cenarth, a place I had not been since I was 10. My father took me on a tour of south Wales, and without warning me, we stopped at Cenarth and we walked through the door of the National Coracle Centre, at that time fairly new.
After being postponed in 2024, the Five Miles From Home challenge returns for 2025!
Teifi coracle needing a new home. Frame appears to be in good order but needs recovering. Owner wishes to donate it to someone with the time and knowledge to repair it and bring it back to working order.
Collection from Hertfordshire.
For more information, please contact the Secretary
The Society is sad to announce the passing of member and former committee member, Bruce Watson.
In 1975, an early Bronze Age cemetery was exposed during the ploughing of some ancient meadows on the Barns Farm, near Dalgety, Fife. On the shores of the Firth of Forth. Amongst the numerous burial cist discoveries, were three apparent coracle burials, each contained human remains.
As we enter the cold, damp, dark part of the year I thought I would share some colourful photos from several coracling trips in the lakes during Autumn. Hopefully these will help provide some brightness until spring arrives and more comfortable paddling can recommence.
Geoff Wild
Coracle Cwlwm from Anglesey was in London as part of an inspiring exhibition.
Our self-made coracle was included as a part of a monumental exhibition titled ‘Come As you Really Are’, conceived by artist and filmmaker Hetain Patel and produced by ArtAngel - a celebration of the nations’ passions, hobbies, creative acts and collections. The exhibition includes over 15,000 incredible objects and creations.
Is the future of Coracles in danger? Is there a new kid in the harbour? What are they actually called?
Out with the old and in with the new! 2024 has been disappointing for the Club at the Highland Folk Museum. As previously reported, our ‘home’ there, the Mill Pond, was badly damaged by Storm Arwen in November 2021.
We all thought the coracle (curach) had died out as a traditional working boat in Scotland in the 18th Century with the cessation of timber floating on the River Spey.
Anyone who has been for a paddle on many of the country’s rivers in the past few years will have noticed much litter floating around, or caught in overhanging branches.
In May 2025 when I drove down to Cilgerran on the Teifi for a short break, I made a pilgrimage to Cenarth, a place I had not been since I was 10.
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