If you are lucky enough to be coming to Scotland for the Fife Regatta, then consider visiting the recently re-opened Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine, 18 miles south of Largs/Fairlie, which has an exhibition celebrating the work of the Fife boatyard entitled The ‘Wizards’ of Fairlie.

For over 140 years the Fife’s of Fairlie produced some of the fastest and most exquisite yachts in the world, with many yachting critics proclaiming that the yard’s boats were ‘almost too beautiful to use’.

The Scottish Maritime Museum’s temporary exhibition tells the story of the Fife dynasty and the small coastal yard which produced some of the finest examples of watercraft in the west of Scotland, for fishing, racing and pleasure.

See the tools used in the yard, images of their famous yachts and admire the craftsmanship of the Fife-built motor launch Seamew which is on display in the Museum’s Linthouse building.

Fife: the ‘Wizards’ Of Fairlie exhibition is open now. The Scottish Maritime Museum is located at Harbour Road, Irvine, KA12 8QE (access also from Gottries Road). Admission £7/up to 3 children free with a paying adult. Open 10am-4pm daily.

Tel. 01294 278283 www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org