Ythan Raft Race 1990

Slains Castle

1990 Saw the boys from St. Olaf move away from the nautical themes
Continuing their tradition of creative, community-inspired themes, Lodge St. Olaf shifted focus in 1990 to tackle a local issue close to the hearts of Cruden Bay residents. Up until now, the Lodge had drawn from seafaring motifs, but this time they aligned their entry with a campaign opposing contentious plans to develop the site formerly occupied by the Cruden Bay Brick and Tile Company.
The proposed development by Cairds was met with fierce opposition from the local community, who formed a group called D.R.A.C.U.L.A. (Determined Residents Against Cairds Unlawful Land Acquisition). The name was a clever nod to the village’s historical connection to Bram Stoker, who had visited Cruden Bay regularly and found inspiration in Slains Castle. The castle’s dramatic, windswept perch on the North Sea cliffs is widely believed to have influenced his depiction of Castle Dracula in his Gothic masterpiece.
In solidarity with the villagers and their cause, the Lodge designed their raft to represent Slains Castle. The design was both a tribute to the local heritage and a bold statement of support for the community’s campaign. Complete with vampire costumes, the Lodge crew brought a theatrical flair to the race, earning applause for their creativity and their commitment to highlighting an important local issue.

Result: The Winner of the Most Attractive Raft