Following the excitement of their first appearance in the Ythan Raft Race the previous year, members of Lodge St. Olaf approached the 1987 race with renewed enthusiasm. Their successful debut had proven that the Lodge could not only take part in the event but also capture the imagination of spectators and judges alike. With that confidence came a desire to produce something even more memorable for their second entry.
When the time came to decide on a theme, the choice felt almost inevitable. The communities of Peterhead and the surrounding coastline have long been shaped by the sea, with generations of families connected to the fishing industry. Harbours, trawlers, nets, and the daily rhythm of life tied to the North Sea formed a familiar backdrop to everyday life. It seemed only fitting that the Lodge should draw inspiration from this proud maritime heritage.
Thus was born the idea of “The Trawler.”
The concept was ambitious: to construct a floating replica of a traditional Peterhead fishing trawler, complete with the distinctive features that anyone familiar with the harbour would instantly recognise. Once again, the Lodge’s workshop became a hive of activity as plans were discussed and materials assembled. Members pooled their skills and imagination, each contributing in their own way to bring the design to life.
The construction of the raft became something of a labour of love. Great care was taken with the details that would transform a simple floating platform into a convincing representation of a working fishing vessel. Rigging lines were carefully arranged, nets were draped along the sides, and the hull was given a deliberately weathered appearance, evoking the hard-working trawlers that had spent years battling the North Sea’s winds and waves.
Piece by piece, the structure began to resemble the real vessels that lined the harbour quays. Though built for a river race rather than the open sea, the raft captured the spirit of the fishing boats that had long symbolised determination, resilience, and community pride in the region.
When race day arrived, the Lodge’s crew once again gathered on the banks of the River Ythan, surrounded by the buzz of excitement that always accompanied the event. Spectators lined the riverbanks, eager to see the colourful procession of rafts take to the water. Among them, the Peterhead trawler stood out immediately.
As it was launched onto the river, the raft drew admiring glances from both spectators and fellow competitors. The care taken in its construction was evident from every angle. Nets, rigging, and the carefully styled hull gave the impression that a miniature fishing vessel had somehow found its way onto the race course.
Cheers and laughter followed the trawler as it made its steady progress downstream. Like many of the more elaborate rafts, speed was not its greatest strength—but that was hardly the point. The spectacle and creativity of the design were what truly mattered, and in that regard the Lodge’s entry excelled.
When the judging was complete, the result confirmed what many on the riverbank had already suspected. Lodge St. Olaf had once again captured the imagination of the judges, and the Peterhead trawler was awarded the prize for “Most Attractive Raft.”
The announcement was greeted with great delight among the crew and their supporters. To win the award once might have been considered a fortunate beginning; to claim it again the following year suggested something more—a growing reputation for ingenuity, teamwork, and craftsmanship.
More than anything, the 1987 entry demonstrated the strength of the Lodge’s collective spirit. The trawler was not simply a raft, but a tribute to the maritime culture that had shaped the lives of so many in the area. In celebrating that heritage with such care and creativity, Lodge St. Olaf once again ensured that their presence on the waters of the Ythan would not soon be forgotten.
Result: Winner – Most Attractive Raft