The Dawn Treader’s Farewell- Skipinnish

Tomorrow morning, the fishing boat, Dawn Treader will leave Tobermory for the last time. Built by John Gaff of Girvan in 1988 for a young Alasdair “Steptoe” MacLean, over the last 32 years this boat has become an icon of Tobermory, of successful fishing, of hard work and of dedication to looking after a boat.
The Dawn Treader will be familiar to all Skipinnish fans as she has featured on the front cover of our last two albums, appeared in two of our music videos and is depicted in most of our merchasndise. In June this year, after a long and very successful fishing career, Steptoe decided to put the boat up for sale in order to take things a bit easier. She quickly sold and after some delays, will be beginning her voyage for Orkney tomorrow morning, under the ownership of respected pelagic fisherman, Angus Sinclair.
As I refer to in the 3rd verse of this song, I remember clearly my first time on board when I was 9 years old. Steptoe was over at Tiree only a few weeks after he had got the boat and on anchor in the corner of Gott Bay. Myself and my father came alongside on the Skipinnis Maid and Steptoe gave us a tour of his new vessel. Dad had always held the MacLean family in the highest regard, and it was obvious on that day how proud he was of his young friend and fellow fisherman for having taken such a huge step forward by having a boat of that calibre and value built brand new. Thirty-two years on and much water under the keel, that day is clear in my mind.
It is difficult to put into words the connections that can be felt with a boat, but I hope the following song, written for Steptoe and his family, goes some way to reflect the significance of the Dawn Treader leaving Tobermory tomorrow.
The song and video were recorded in lockdown in a bit of a hurry ready for the boat leaving in July, but a few delays have meant that its voyage north has been put off till now. At the time, Norrie wasn’t able to do the recording so we were very lucky that Rachel Walker stepped in to take the lead vocal. Rory Grindlay again has shown his hidden talents by putting the recording and the video together. Thank you Rory!
In the weeks since the sale went through and this song was written, Steptoe has bought a very fine smaller boat to keep himself busy with - retirement for Steptoe is like full-time work for normal people! It gives me a huge sense of pride that he will name his new boat the Skipinnish Lass. Whatever far off anchorage my father is in, he will smiling with pride at that.
On behalf of all at Skipinnish - band, place and family - I would like to wish Steptoe all the best in his new chapter.
There will be a few glasses being raised to the Dawn Treader tonight!
Slàinte