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Ian Best
Boatbuilder
Photograph
Trustees of the
National Museums of
Scotland A yoal,
built by Ian, on public display in the
National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh.
The design's on the sail were produced
by the Fair Isle school children |
Kenaby
Fair Isle
Shetland ZE2 9JU
ianbest@btinternet.com
Tel: +44(0)1595 760 229 |
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A craftsman whose Norwegian qualifications provide the foundation for revived
local skills building traditional boats evolved for work or pleasure in
demanding sea conditions.
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In 1981 Ian went to Trelatlygjarskwllen in Norway age 17, learned the
language and spent three years gaining the experience and the Norwegian Fagbrev for
building a wide range of wooden craft. |
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The Ness Yoal is a highly evolved craft of Norse lineage,
a boat made to measure up to the demands of the stormy and tidal waters.
Clinker built from Scottish larch they are light and manageable, bending
with the water by oar, under sail or with outboard.  |
| The recent revival of the Shetland rowing tradition
has caused an upsurge in the building and general use of these boats with the
communities in Shetland racing every weekend all summer. Besides this local
market for yoals for rowing and traditional fishing there is an increasing
appreciation of the yoal as a distinctive craft for leisure and Ian has sent
yoals as far as the Netherlands. |
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