My Perfect Race Series in Scotland ?

Ok, so Scottish Series has its challenges for the future, but what would be my ideal Series of Races in Scotland `?

Well SS used to be : a combination of distance, overnight, round the cans and craic on the rounds. West Highland Week is pretty much perfect for me in cruiser racer modus, if not a complete dream when we had 5 impalas sailing.....But what of a more serious racing event ?

I can imagine that a week in the summer with one design as the focus and several international classes, perhaps a european or worlds would be good. Perhaps like Keil Woche or various events of yore, there should be a combination of yacht and dinghy racing, boat meets boy as a help. I find largs a bit Soul-less, so maybe Rhu- HSC /RNCYC,  or Rothesay or my preferred big boat venue, Troon would host with beer tent and bands to boot. Roth'y would be good because you are at least a little exotic and people can't sneek off so easily at night . Choice of pubs and venues too.

So for clyde OD then and a visiting national OD of say 20 boats,   Rothesay it is then,  with extra pontoons and rafting at hand, and Cal Mac / Waverley on best behaviour coming in at 5 knts from the outer harbour. Do it in june, perhaps around Jazz festival time maybe just maybe.

You do a late night Thursday start from Royal Gourock off round Ailsa Craig and in the west kyle overnighter. Friday morning feeder from N. largs on a nominal course, both these with decent prizes. Then friday PM about 1400 you have a longish sausage or triangle which allows for seperation after the start, in the bay,  up the kyle or out to the east.

Saturday some band plays which has ticketing for punters too. Or at the jazz festival which would add a couple of hundred folk to the bar and door.

Saturday, serious OD races for the smaller boats in the bay, or at Prt banatyne with shore near bouys, and round bute for the larger ones and IRC / CYCA- maybe combining this with the existing round bute race.  Sunday, courses and prize giving with monday free with an optional distance race home to Gourock.