Portree RNLI annual raft race success
Portree RNLI is celebrating following the success of its annual raft race held in the Isle of Skye capital on Wednesday 4 June 2025.
Six rafts entered the competition, which was held in Portree harbour and attracted hundreds of spectators, with the race forming part of the wider Skye Week programme of community events.
The rafts this year ranged from a mock ferry, to one in the design of a bus, to more make-shift entries built with plain barrels and pallets!
Five of the rafts completed the course, with only one failing to make it off the shore.
Iain Beaton, lead organiser and volunteer crew member at Portree RNLI, said:
'The raft race is a highlight in the calendar of the island, and we were delighted to host it once again. It’s an event that brings the community together for some entertainment and a soaking for those onboard the rafts!
'There is a number of special thanks we must give to those who helped us with the event this year. Thank you to Lorna Cormack at Light Up Portree for working with us again this year; to Bakkafrost for providing safety boat cover; to Radio Skye for the commentary and advertising support; to Thomas Corrigall and Iain Cormack from Stardust Boat Trips for laying the course; and to Ewen MacRae (West End Garage) for transporting the rafts from the storage area in Somerled Square down to the pier.'
The Isle of Skye Pipe Band and Skye Youth Pipe Band also attended the pier to entertain the crowd that had gathered, with dancing by Skye Highland Dancers.
Iain added:
'We are extremely grateful to the island communities for supporting the work of the RNLI. As a charity, we rely on donations to be able to offer the lifesaving service that we do.'
The RNLI is the charity that has been saving lives at sea for over two hundred years. Our volunteer crew members are on call and ready to respond to calls for help 24 hrs a day, 365 days of the year.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- All photos in this press release are credited to Portree RNLI.
- Portree Lifeboat Station was established in 1991 and operates a Trent class all-weather lifeboat – ‘Stanley Watson Barker’. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/portree-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact:
Robert MacInnes, Lifeboat Press Officer at Portree RNLI: 07950 421829 / [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland: 07826 900639 / [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland: 07920 365929 / [email protected]
RNLI Press Office: 01202 336789 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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