Skip to Content

Welcome to Scotland and welcome to the Scottish Sailing Institute

In 1999 The Royal Yachting Association chose Largs as it’s location for the Scottish “Centre of Excellence” and the Scottish Sailing Institute (SSI) was created to promote Largs as a major championship venue and to coordinate large championship events and race training activity.

Over the years since 1999 the SSI and Largs Sailing Club have developed a reputation as Scotland’s leading venue for hosting regattas, all water sports activities (including training and coaching) and championship events.

The SSI is based in Largs Sailing Club, on the Largs Yacht Haven site and the Institute boasts a well-established on-shore infrastructure with excellent sailing waters and has superb natural advantages that are the envy of many sailing organisations. The SSI aims to ensure the efficient coordination of the local club’s volunteers and facilities and provides access to a full range of services and water sport resources.

How has this been achieved?

The SSI is an integrated partnership comprising RYA Scotland, Largs Yacht Haven, Largs Sailing Club and two of sportscotland’s national centres; namely Inverclyde and Cumbrae. The Project was supported in the development phase by the sportscotland Lottery Fund, and a fantastic club house was purpose built on the Yacht Haven site resulting in a fully serviced events venue.

To enable professional staff to coordinate these championship events financial support has been provided by North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and European Regional Development Funding. The SSI professionals provide a focal point for class associations, the participants and the volunteer network required when coordinating any sailing championship

For more details please go to our Partners page

Why do we exist?

The Scottish Sailing Institute forms part of a network of RYA centres within the UK and was established to provide championship organisers from all over the world with professional race management support.

The vision of the SSI’s parent committee is to raise the profile of Scotland on the International sailing scene and for Largs to be recognized as a world class events venue.

Proof in the pudding!

The events in the area have been growing both in size and frequency. This is great feedback for the SSI and it is evident that the package on offer in Largs is attractive to sailors, visitors and various class associations.

See our events page for details of some of the Regattas we have hosted in the past.