Five Castles Schools Regatta 2026 at Annandale Sailing Club

Team racing - Five Castles Schools Regatta at Annandale © Ally Brown

Six teams of secondary school sailors from across Dumfries and Galloway gathered at Annandale Sailing Club for the 2026 Five Castles Schools Regatta, generously funded by Common Thread.

Representing Lockerbie Academy, Dumfries Academy, Stranraer Academy, St Joseph's College, Dumfries High School and Dalbeattie High School, competitors ranged from complete beginners to experienced club champions.

Annandale Sailing Club Commodore Trudie Mitchell welcomed everyone to the water, and together with former Commodore Elaine Wheeler, outlined the day's format, scoring system and racing rules. A fleet of Laser Pico dinghies were rigged and readied for a day of team racing, with teams of three boats going head-to-head in a round-robin format.

Port start - Five Castles Schools Regatta at Annandale - photo © Ally Brown

Race Officers Willie Patterson and Stewart Biggar set a straightforward windward-to-broad-reach-to-run course, with on course umpire James Bishop, assisted by Mike Adlen keeping a close eye on proceedings. Guy Wheeler and Rhi Leyshon managed a dedicated finish boat, relaying finishing positions to scorers Elaine Wheeler and Finlay Train.

Fifteen races took place throughout the day, with competitors battling the notorious Castle Loch wind shifts and gusts of over 25 knots at times. More than a few sailors ended up in the water — whether through capsize or sheer high spirits! Yet despite the very best of typical Scottish summer weather, the competitors crossed the finish line with a smile.

Finn Harris and Lucy Leyshon (Dalbeattie High School) holding off Thomas McKendrick (Dumfries High School) - Five Castles Schools Regatta at Annandale - photo © Ally Brown

After some fiercely close racing in ever-changing conditions, victory went to Dalbeattie High School Team 2 — Toby Iglehart, Finn Harris and Lucy Leyshon — who sailed superbly throughout winning all five of their races. The Spirit Trophy for endeavour was awarded to Elise Wilson of St Joseph's College, competing in the team racing format for the very first time.

Jess Brown, Annandale Youth Squad Captain and representing Dumfries Academy on the water, rounded off the prize-giving with a vote of thanks on behalf of all of the competitors, thanking the sponsor and acknowledging the work of the organising committee and volunteers who helped make the day a resounding success.

Competitors with winning team Finn Harris, Lucy Leyshon and Toby Iglehart (Dalbeattie High School 2) - Five Castles Schools Regatta at Annandale - photo © Ally Brown