A ROYAL visitor will open Scotland’s Boat Show in Inverkip this year to mark its 30th anniversary.

Princess Anne has been confirmed as an extra special guest of this year’s event at Kip Marina, which runs from October 14-16.

HRH will open the show – the largest of its kind in Scotland and third biggest in the UK – on the Friday.

Gavin McDonagh, managing director of Kip Marina, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming the Princess Royal and I’m so pleased for the staff because they put such an effort into the boat show to make it a success, and this is an excellent reward for them.

“We started discussing at last year’s show how it would be nice to get a really high profile guest, but for it to be a member of the Royal family is an added bonus.

“It’s great recognition for the event and the fact that it has grown from a small, second-hand boat show to the largest of its kind in Scotland – and probably the only annual, national event in Inverclyde, which is now in its 30th year. It has come a very long way.”

The Princess Royal and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence are keen seafarers and own a yacht, which is based in Scotland.

They also enjoy sailing around the country and are regulars to the Outer Hebrides.

The Princess Royal was last in Inverclyde four years ago when she visited Texas Instruments in Greenock.

Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Guy Clark, who is based in Inverkip, has been working on her return behind the scenes and is thrilled HRH will open the show.

Mr Clark said: “Both she and her husband are very keen sailors and purchased a new yacht just last year.

“I invited them to the boat show because I think it will be something they will enjoy, being one of the activities they particularly like.

“The great thing about it is that around 5,000 people a day go to the boat show so she will be visible to a large number of people. It’s also the first Royal visit to Inverkip that I can remember, so it’s a special one for me.

“It is particularly satisfying for me and I’m delighted for Inverkip and everyone associated with the event.”

 

Image Credit: John MacIntyre / Paisley Scotland