Wigeon of Fearn 2014
In 1963
It has been great fun to learn that the Wigeon of Fearn, the yacht which took my on an infamous cruise around the Mediterranean in 1963, it not only still alive but very well, having been purchased and restored by Anne and Jim Foster who live on the West coast of Scotland. The Wigeon is now their home and has been entered into the UK National Register of Historic Vessels.
St. Monans
The Wigeon began her long life as a Gentleman’s Yacht built in 1936 by J.M. Miller & Sons of St. Monans, located just over 12 miles south of St Andrews and the smallest of the East Neuk fishing ports. It was powered by a diesel engine and was of timber carvel construction with a hull of teak and oak. Her design was based on a fishing trawler (which is why she survived during a terrible mistral storm tossed us about on the crossing from Italy to Corsica–a storm which sent six less sturdy Chris Craft vessels to Davy Jones’ locker). She measured 56 feet in length, 14.6 feet breadth, and 5.9 feet depth with a gross tonnage of 37 tons.
She served with the Royal Navy from 1939 to 1945 as a Senior Officer Armed Patrol Tender at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys Islands when private yachts were commandeered to by part of the anti-submarine fleet on the lookout for German U-Boats.
Spithead Fleet Review 1977
In 1977 she took part in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations on the River Thames and in the Spithead Fleet Review.
Fitted with new engines in 1996 and outfitted as a floating home, she has taken on an elegant look with her new canvas sidings. 
And as you can see, she is still as seaworthy as ever. My thanks to the current owners for all the great photos.
The interior still features that gorgeous polished oak table and benches that we gathered around to share meals of broiled eel and bourbon soaked birthday cake back in 1963.
But with some new decorative touches by the current owners. What a marvelous 78 years of sailing history with an adventure or two thrown in.
Dr. Karen Stephen aka Doc Flamingo 
Hi there, Karen,
I am delighted to see your blog featuring Wigeon of Fearn.
My husband and I are currently in the process of buying Wigeon from Anne & Jim Foster (absolutely delightful couple). We are so smitten with the Wigeon, we have been trawling the web for history.
We’ve seen Robin Williams’ article, were you on that same cruise? The photo of the students on board in what looks like an Italian harbour, is fantastic. (Don’t suppose you have any more photos?).
If you have any photos/memories, or anything to share with us, we’d be most grateful.
Wigeon is currently moored in a canal off the west coast of Scotland, we hope to get her moving next spring. Then (maybe somewhat ambitiously) plan to retrace you steps and take her to the Med in 2023.
Best wishes,
Margo Scott Cathro
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I crewed on her in the 60’s as a charter trip. Skipper was Jim Capel.
A beautiful boat.
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Amazing to hear from someone else who was aboard the Wigeon in the Sixties. I would love to hear more about your journey, the where’s and when’s. I’m sure that Jim was our Captain as well. You can message me at karenstephen_author@hotmail.com if you care to.
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How wonderful to read about the Wigeon of Fearn and to know that she is still afloat after such a long eventful life so far! I too had a terrific adventure during a family holiday onboard the Wigean in the 60’s which I would love to share with the new owners. Can you contact me please? Nella Pryce: maspryce@gmail.com
Tel:0033 618 464808
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Hi there, Nella,
My husband and I bought Wigeon from Anne & Jim Foster last year.
She’s still in Scotland, currently undergoing some renovations. If you’d like a more detailed update, my email address is margoscott5@hotmail.com
We’d also love to hear about your times aboard!
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Dear Margo,
I am now 81, my father (1909-1963) died far too young from Leukemia and Mum (1911-2007) died of old age, so I am slightly in the dark here other than what I remember from some time back, although my parents took time to fill both me and my sisters in on our backgrounds and what they had been involved with before we appeared.
My parents, William and May Morrison of Kilmacolm, married on 18 August 1936 and from my memory chartered Wigeon for their honeymoon, travelling up the West Coast of Scotland. This was their old stamping ground for weekends away etc. in a smaller motor yacht, Irene. I also have a memory of their’s being the first charter on Wigeon, but ……….
In my family computer file I have a photograph of the boat taken from the starboard rear quarter, with Wigeon of Fearn and R. M. Y. C. on either side of the stern. Now, I may have dowloaded this photograph from a website back in 2015, or I could have scanned it from family photos in 2015, I cannot be sure unless I find it here in one of the family boxes. Having said that, I am not too sure that Wigeon looks brand new in the photo. I found that she was still afloat a number of years ago, possibly 2015. Will take a look through family photos when I have time. I hope to be in touch again.
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