about us
LESC is a “members only” club and is unable to hire boats or offer training to non-members outside a handful of events such as Training Week every July. If you are not a member, Drummond Estates Trout Farm offer boat hire and launch services on the north shore of Loch Earn between Lochearnhead and LESC. Visit their website for more information.
As a family club, our philosophy is to make sailing available to all
Sailing at LESC is open to anyone, no matter what age or ability
We pride ourselves on providing relaxed family sailing and training from a modern and fully equipped facility situated near St Fillans on the north shore of Loch Earn, one of the most picturesque inland sailing lochs in Scotland.
You don’t need to be able-bodied, or even a strong swimmer. Our sailability section aims to raise awareness in the disability community of the tremendous benefits that sailing can provide and assist people with a disability get on the water at Loch Earn.
Racing will be competitive and fun, providing entertainment and challenge across the field. Our racing credentials are well established and LESC is a well known venue on the traveller circuit with a reputation for excellent race management and organisation.
For those new to sailing, LESC is an official RYA Training Centre and offers both adult and junior RYA dinghy, keelboat, and powerboat courses taught in our club owned boats.
Training is most visibly delivered via a week-long, public programme in July called Training Week, but members can attend regular Sunday morning training sessions for a more informal and practical introduction to both sailing and racing.
We use the IOCA Optimist or Oppy to support our youngest juniors while older children move on to the Topper dinghy. It’s difficult to provide an age-based guideline for these groups: with attitude and water-confidence the main attributes needed to enjoy dinghy sailing; some are ready to start as young as five, others will enjoy the fishing, swimming, camping, and all the other benefits of our family club!
Our History
LESC began in 1954 when it was founded by four keen sailors: W. G. Leckie, K. Sturrock, J. Brown and L. Drysdale on a site belonging to Crieff Hydro on the south side of the loch.
Our Loch
Loch Earn derives its name from the Scottish Gaelic Loch Eire and is thought to mean “Loch of Ireland”. Interestingly there is an apparent “tidal system” called a seiche.
Our Facilities
LESC is fortunate to have a large clubhouse with a fully fitted kitchen, lounge, and changing rooms. In addition, there’s camping and caravan plots, as well as boat and gear storage!
Our Passion
Sailing at LESC is open to anyone, no matter what age or ability. LESC has a large and varied membership of dinghy and keelboat sailors as well as long-time families.
Meet the General Committee
The club’s affairs are managed by a General Committee elected on an annual basis at the Annual General Meeting regularly held in November. Currently, it comprises five Flag Officers (Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Honorary Secretary, and Honorary Treasurer) and five ordinary members, one of whom we expect to be our sailing secretary.
Neil Morris
Commodore
The principal ‘Flag’ Officer, the commodore sets a direction for the club and is responsible for the organisation and management of the club. The Commodore chairs the General Committee meetings.
Ewan Paterson
Vice Commodore
The vice commodore is second in command, a Flag Officer, and responsible for the organisation and management of the sailing side, and associated aspects, of our club. The mooring convenor reports directly to the Vice Commodore.
TBD
Rear Commodore
The rear commodore is third in command, a Flag Officer, and responsible for the organisation and management of all the land based aspects of the club such as social events including catering. The caravan convenor reports directly to the Rear Commodore.
Trina Murray
Honorary Secretary
The honorary secretary is an officer and responsible for all club records, maintaining all club legal documentation, as well as organising and taking minutes of General Committee and General Meetings. The Hon Secretary is also responsible for membership matters.
Andrew Eales
Honorary Treasurer
The treasurer is an officer and is responsible for all club finances and the submission of any legal documents required by law. The Treasurer is required to keep the General Committee apprised of the club’s financial position at each General Committee meeting.
Nicol Halcrow
Sailing Secretary
Responsible for the sailing programme and ensuring that appropriate support is organised, as well as maintaining race result records, and the presentation details for prize-giving.
Allan Wilson
Committee Member
Barbara Murray
Committee Member
John Best
Committee Member
Sarah Meyer
Committee Member
Other Key Roles
The roles below are not strictly members of the general committee, but are expected to liase directly with flag officers and regularly attend the monthly committee meeting.
Cammy Murray
Camping/Caravan Convenor
Responsible for upkeep of the caravan site, enforcing the caravan site bye-laws, monitoring annual usage and advises the committee on any matters relating to annual site allocation; reports directly to the Rear Commodore.
Laurence Rieley
Mooring Convenor
Responsible for monitoring usage and annual allocation of moorings; enforces the mooring bye-laws; reports directly to the Vice Commodore.
Alan McDonald
Training Principal
Responsible for all aspects of our club’s sail and power boat training within the RYA’s (National Boating Body) standards and reports directly to the Vice Commodore.
Allison Halcrow
Safeguarding Officer
Responsible for promoting the welfare of children, supporting the well-being of young and vulnerable members and acts as an interface between the club and external authorities in the event that significant events occur.
Jack Halcrow
Coxwain (Sail)
Responsible for all matters relating to the club’s sailing craft and reports directly to the Vice Commodore.
David Cunningham
Coxwain (Power)
Responsible for all matters relating to the club’s power craft and necessary equipment (e.g. fuel) and reports directly to the Vice Commodore.
Frank Ponsonby
Webteam
Maintains and manages the webteam, website and digital assets including email addresses, software integrations, and club photography.
Emeritus and Honorary Members
Baroness Willoughby de Eresby
Honorary Commodore
Jack Halcrow
Honorary Vice Commodore
Philip Palmer
Honorary President