Vaila Mae (Shetland Museum Sixareen)

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(Redirected from Sixareen Building Project)

Launch Invitation.

Until the end of the 19th century Sixareens (also spelled Sixern) were regularly built in Shetland, and used extensively for the Haaf fishing. However the building of such craft declined rapidly as larger vessels, such as the Shetland Haddock Boat, became established.
In 1988 a replica Sixareen, the 'Far Haaf' was built in Unst by Duncan Sandison and a group of volunteers. This vessel was sadly destroyed by a storm in 1992, but a replacement, also called the 'Far Haaf' was built in 1993, and can be seen in a special enclosure outside the Unst Boat Haven.

Now, another Sixareen has been built in the boat shed of the Shetland Museum.
Craftsmen Jack Duncan and Robbie Tait have taken just over 3 months to complete the Vaila Mae. She is based on the Industry, the last survivor of the Haaf fishing days, which is on display in the museum.
She was launched on June 21st 2008, to coincide with the Johnsmas Foy.

The Vaila Mae is not rigged for sail yet, but a full traditional sail rig is planned for next year. The wood for the mast and yard has already been delivered to the museum boat shed. The wood is from wind blown trees at the Sullom plantation, and this could be the first time that Shetland grown wood has been used for this purpose.
(Unless otherwise stated, all photographs on this page, and the gallery files, have been taken by Heimdal)