THE SCOTTISH Fisheries Museum in Anstruther is hoping to attract interest from model boat enthusiasts in many parts of Fife, Tayside and Angus to attend a special meeting this weekend in an effort to launch a new club.

Pictured are two fine model sailings yachts, both restored to their former glory by Alan Whitfield, the East Neuk museum’s model boatbuilder.

The smaller craft is the Boy’s Gift, built in 1928, bought for sixpence and last sailed in 1934 by its owner Tam Easson.

The larger model, the Eastern Star, was constructed in Crail in 1910 and was last launched by the original owner’s grandsons in Inverleith Pond, Edinburgh, just before the second world war.

Jennifer Gordon, assistant curator of the museum, said, “These are only two of the museum’s collection of model pond yachts or sailing Fifies that were once the pride and joy of many a small boy in the East Neuk and beyond.

“So that we can see them as they were meant to be seen, we are planning, for one day only, to take a selection of the craft out of their cases and into the water at Cellardyke boating pond for a gala.

“We hope that the event, planned for May 11, will encourage others who have similar magnificent models, to bring them out of storage and to let them sail again.

“With this in mind, and knowing that there are many people out there who enjoy model-building or sailing existing models, the museum would like to invite all those interested to an inaugural meeting to be held on Saturday to discuss the setting up of a model boat club.”

Members would have access to some of its facilities and expertise at the museum.

Anyone interested in joining such a club is invited to attend Saturday’s meeting, which starts at 11am. People unable to attend can contact Jennifer by Email to jen@scotfishmuseum.org or phoning 01333 310628.