Topic: Highland (Inverness / Dingwall) Area Model Group (Read 10508 times)

SJG001 · « **on:** January 06, 2018, 04:35:30 pm »

I visited the model shop in Dingwall today and purchased an electric motor for the boat I am working on. During the visit I asked if there was any model boat groups in the area. There seems to be some interest is starting a group in the area - so I left my details at the shop and said I would post on this forum.

I have noticed that a there has been interest in a group in a few model boat forums so if you are interested can you respond to this post please.

Arrow5 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2018, 10:09:03 pm »

Let me know. There used to be a Mayhemer post on here by the name of "Taxi" from Inverness. During the heyday of Jackie Wilson`s (top i.c. racer), tenure of the model shop in the Victorian Market there were races on a loch on the south side of Loch Ness. Are any of these guys are still active. I wonder if the Waterways people would be interested in allowing model boating in the Muirton Basin from the Sea Cadets/Sea Scouts(?) club-house jetty, with their co-operation of course. I understand there was some input from them on the Loch Ness lifeboat run a couple of years ago. Does the Scottish Federation have list of country members in this area ?

SJG001 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2018, 10:46:10 pm »

Will keep this post updated.

I think Muirton Basin falls under Scottish Canals and they have allowed model boating on some of their assets, however I think there might be other sites in the area which could be used with less issues.

Which incarnation on the Victoria Market are you talking about? The Classic (Closed 1990's I think), the guy who used to be on Grant Street or the last version?

Arrow5 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2018, 12:24:11 pm »

Jackie Wilson`s model shop was the one that closed in the 90`s. A true old style model shop catering for all aspects of modelling, his "shoe box" parts system was an Aladdin`s. Cave and source of everything you could ask for. Run by a modeller for modellers. He returned to his homeland when he retired , Ireland. How is the progress on the Springer , any pics ?

SJG001 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2018, 12:49:49 pm »

Remember the shop well - Used to buy the old MAP Plans Handbooks out of there - There was a lot of sad faces when it closed.

The springer is progressing well but won't be progressing much this week - Need to get the hull finished and ready for sealing, priming and painting. Will post photos later on.

RST · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2018, 01:24:04 pm »

I've lived here for 12 years and only just returned to the hobby a cpl of months ago because there was nowhere conveniently local to sail. I often ask in the Sports and Model Shop if there are any others in the hobby or if there's ever any interest in new clubs but all I hear about is macDuff or Pentland Firth which is way too far. I'd support something locally (I was actually mooting posting something on here over the xmas break to see if there was any other interest). Perhaps I've been spoiled in previous places, I still haven't found anywhere immediateoly local which is as suitable for me. I went down the promenade in Nairn last week -didn't realise that paddling pool was there! That looked ideal, until I found out it was a kids spash pool -and the history of vandalism and whether it's even going to stay open or not now. I thought Whinn Park would be good -but it's always full of weed and not really any low-down access to launch / recover. There must be somewhere local without a 40min drive to Elgin, or anywhere down the A9.

...Anyhow, I've got 4 unfinished projects on the go since giving up on N Gauge model railways, so I'd better one thing finished for sailing before I bump by gums where to do it!

Rich

Arrow5 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2018, 04:42:43 pm »

Hi Rich. I`m in Aviemore and can show you a few lochs that I use in this area. No boat club but an aeromodelling club with flying field. Are you in Inverness ?

SJG001 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2018, 07:06:24 pm »

Rich,

I noted your posts over Christmas - There are a few ponds/lochs in the area which would be great for sailing - but are a wee bit difficult to get to. Whin Pond is probably the best in Inverness despite the weeds and the boating pond in Dingwall might be another option. Both are operated by Highlife which would make access easier - but a club would need to form to negotiate access and have insurance in place. I spent some time on GIS looking at potential sailing locations.

Cooper park in Elgin is great for sailing, however "some

" locals get worried about the impact on the ducks and ducklings.

Macduff/Tarlair should be removed from the SFMBC website as it is long dead and is sending people on a wild goose chase (Me included - thanks to a member on another forum who advised me that a meeting was on at Tarlair - drove there, no model boats

) - I found the Ayr club quite helpful when I was down in the Area during 2015 but 400 miles round trip is a bit of a stretch

However there is a Yacht sailing group at Peterhead (https://buchannessryc.wordpress.com/) which is active.

Our best option is that we get enough interest to form a nucleus of club on this and other forums. I will keep this thread updated as I hear anything.

HMS Invisible · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2018, 08:12:42 pm »

Quote from: Arrow5 on January 06, 2018, 10:09:03 pm

Let me know. There used to be a Mayhemer post on here by the name of "Taxi" from Inverness...

If it's the same Taxi that sold me an unstarted kit then he now lives in Lanarkshire.

Arrow5 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2018, 09:28:02 pm »

Thanks Gyro, how long ago did he move ?

RST · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2018, 05:40:39 pm »

Hello Folks,

Sorry, first chance to reply. Yea, I'm in Culloden but as per PM SJG001 we are in the same area and probably only 400m apart at work.

I / we know there's more folk into this round here -the number of boats Sports and Model Shop have had in for "electrical work" over the last 10 years confirms. They've also said a few times apparently modellers are not welcome at the Dingwall pond. I used to sail in Duthie park, Aberdeen when I lived there but wasn't a club member. I may be proven wrong but there's no permission needed for dunking a model in the Caledonian canal -but it's a BIG bit of water, anywhere on it, bit different if there's a rescue boat LoL. I grew up in Linlithgow and volunteered for LUCS for years -the basin there with the slip is almost perfect on a calm day but that's a bit far now unless I'm visiting family.

Cooper Park should be a good one, it re-kindled my interest since it was filled. There's been father with cheap Chinese RTR boats with their kids whenever I've been down since.

I know Peterhead well but from offshore (home port) not modelling!!! It's a bit far. It would be interesting if we can spark some interest between the likes of Aviemore, Elgin, Dingwall and Invergordon. I think Whinn Park, Cooper Park and Nairn pool are the best options, even if we can arrange a meet at one to dunk a couple of models one time.

Cheers,

Rich

Darts26 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2018, 10:44:25 pm »

Hi guys after my meeting a couple of weeks ago with the person from Highlife Highland who actually are in charge of Dingwall pond that gentleman was happy for an event to go ahead on there. However, I have to produce a working plan including car-park and pond edge security as well as what I am proposing to run. Many years ago Dingwall was a thriving model boat club but I am led to believe personality clashes and the older members disappearing caused its demise. 2 years ago I made contact with the tenant of the pond and tried to arrange a similar thing, to what I am proposing now, but she never answered my messages after my first visit. It is a new tenant taking over the shop within the park but I have no idea if she will request the pond too.

At present a club meeting and using this pond , once we have permission to use it, seems to be our best answer. Cooper Park Elgin even though the swans have left is in a similar condition to Dingwall pond.

RST · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2018, 09:16:34 pm »

Are you talking about "Batty's Baps" who have apparently taken over the kiosk in the park?

I must admit having walked the Pfeffer Park twice recently I can't see why it's potentially much better than Whinn Park. I must say though I thought Pfeffer Park a bit eerie and delapadated though not as bad as the pics on-line of rubbish left by drunks and junkies. Bit out of site and I felt uncomfortable walking there with a mobile phone and wallet in my pocket but if someone else is there then fine.

Is there any reason to reject Whinn Park -or even Bellfield park (admittedley illness or prior commitments I haven't made it there yet!).

Pfeffer park was full off weed recently. I haven't had the chance to get to Cooper Park this year yet but it was always clearer when I've walked there before. Fair doos if not now. There was often somebody sailing something there also -even if it was a Dad sailing an RTR cheap ebay boat with his kids.

.....However I'm not knocking any efforts! I'm supportive of anything. I'm still of the oppinion at the moment if a few folk want to meet somewhere then it's OK to meet and sail as long as it's not formal. By the way if you need any help with anything HSE-wise I can help you with that. I've helped others with constitutions / risk assessments or paperwork in other hobbies -easy for me as I've done it all at work. I'm doing two bouts of HSE applications / audits at work at the moment.

Cheers,

Rich

SJG001 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2018, 06:36:15 pm »

As with Rich - I am supportive of anything that will help get a group going in the area. (informal / formal) - Whin Park / Pfeffer Park are obvious options (there are others).

Highlife manages the ponds (up to a point) but some issues (particularly in reference to riparian management) fall back to Highland Council, there has been some recent work in improving the Whin Pond / Ness Bank to improve the water dynamics. (Eutrophic/Oligotrophic)

There seems to be a few modelers in the area, but making contact with them outside the forum is proving difficult.

redpiperbob · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2021, 03:46:42 pm »

Hi there everyone did anything come of starting up a club. Iused to boat with Jackie at Loch Ceo Glais and went over to Ireland for the racing many years ago.I am just getting back into boating (at a more sedate pace) I was thinking of the Whinpark lake for a venue. What does anyone think?all the best
Bob

RST · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2021, 03:51:57 pm »

Nothing ever came about that I am aware of. The pond up at the college is the most perfect place for sailing that I have ever found in the area yet. Much better than Whinn Park apart perhaps for the location, but I've not been back since they put the co-vid test centre up there last year (don't want to go anywhere near it while that is there!).

redpiperbob · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2021, 04:02:49 pm »

Hi RSTthanks for that I never thought of the colllege pond maybe when this damned covid is over I may try it.
Bob

RST · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2021, 06:16:27 pm »

Depending where you are also, there's a small new pond opened up right next to me in Culloden. Opposite Duncan Forbes primary school. It's part of that daft SUDS work but they've very kindly put some wooden staging in and we'll see if it stays weed free. It'll be good for small models I do. It is filling with junk though, some tyres and old wheels already chucked in along with loads of beer cans. I didn't have chance to try it so far because I've been away in central belt and it's been frozen when I did get back more recently.

Rich

SJG001 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2021, 06:45:48 pm »

I would use caution with Whin Park at the moment - theres a bit of sensitivity there due to ****wits (not to mention unease due to COVID)- the level was dropped a few years back to discourage misuse, last time I visited (Jan) it was almost back levelwise to what it was 2018. I suspect that not all the logs are back in the weir.

The Head Race / Tail Race North of the park was upgraded 2016-17ish. The Head race is the source of Water and however the current through flow is not enough to discourage weeds.

The pond up beside the UHI may be your best bet

There is a few other ponds/lochs in the area and I have my eye on ones to the west but they are a wee bit of a hike to get to.

redpiperbob · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2021, 07:01:48 pm »

Hi Rich I am in Smithton so culloden would be great. But its going to have to wait for this covid to stop. In the mean time back to building.SJG001 I was planning after the covid. But I see what you mean.I used to love the day out to Ceo Glais good friends and good sport.Bob

RST · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2021, 10:11:57 am »

Just to say I'm mainly away from home -caring for someone during lockdowns at the moment. I get back on Saturday and hoping to get some things wet in the new pond. Not sure if you had a look there or not yet.

I might try and go back to the college also if the weather holds, but really don't want to go anywhere near test centres.

redpiperbob · « **Reply #21 on:** April 23, 2021, 01:53:09 pm »

What time on Saturday are you planning I mightt come up and meet you if thats OK 2 metre rule of course.Bob

RST · « **Reply #22 on:** April 24, 2021, 03:11:28 pm »

Sorry, just noticed. Am only just back now, cleared all the junk mail so the door would open. I don't have any fixed plans. Been away 6 weeks so unpacking and housework to do. It'll be nice just to sit in my own place for a while.

Stunning weather up here! It was rubbish down Falkirk this morning. If it holds I'll be venturing out next cpl of days as I've taken time off. Have to get the 3D printer going tonight to make the most of the few days home!

redpiperbob · « **Reply #23 on:** April 24, 2021, 03:28:44 pm »

OK give me a shout if you go down I'll meet you there.
Bob

RST · « **Reply #24 on:** April 24, 2021, 03:48:36 pm »

I've just Pm'd you and SJG001.

Rich

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