Overview
The Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club at Rhu on the Gare Loch traces its roots to the Northern Yacht Club of 1824, which makes it Scotland's oldest yacht club; today's club was formed in 1978 when the Royal Northern merged with the Royal Clyde Yacht Club (founded 1856). Its clubhouse, Ardenvohr, is a Grade II listed Victorian villa above the loch, and the club lays more than 50 swinging moorings in the sheltered Gare Loch with a launch service. A fleet of nine club Sonars lets it host team and match racing such as the Millennium Bowl, alongside Gare Loch club racing for Sonars and Gareloch One Designs, a club regatta, the North Clyde Regatta and the Gareloch One Design championships; it also rows a St Ayles coastal skiff. Vessels entering or leaving the Gare Loch must follow the Queen's Harbour Master regulations for the Clyde naval base.
- Founded
- 1824
- Clubhouse
- Ardenvohr, Grade II listed Victorian villa
- Federation
- Royal Yachting Association
- mail@rncyc.com
- Phone
- +44 1436 820322
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Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- RNCYC Club Regattathe club's regatta on the Gare Loch; 13 June 2026
- North Clyde Regatta19–20 September 2026
- Millennium Bowlteam racing in the club Sonars; 29–30 August 2026
- Gareloch One Design Championships15–16 August 2026
- Two Boat Team Racing18–19 July 2026
- FKY Team Racing Event5–6 September 2026
- Ceilidh Cup3–4 October 2026
- Gare Loch club racingclub series for Gareloch ODs and Sonars, late April to the end of the season
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
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History and achievements
- 1824The Northern Yacht Club is founded in November
- 1830The club receives a Royal Charter, one of the first yacht clubs to do so
- 1856The Clyde Model Yacht Club is founded for owners of yachts under 8 tons
- 1863The Clyde club receives its Royal charter as the Royal Clyde Yacht Club; it opens a clubhouse at Hunter's Quay in 1872
- 1878The Royal Northern opens a clubhouse in Rothesay as the base for its regattas
- 1886The Royal Northern yacht Galatea challenges for the America's Cup; a Royal Clyde syndicate follows in 1887 with Thistle
- 1908The Royal Clyde yacht Hera wins the 12-Metre gold at the London Olympics
- 1922–1939Royal Northern yachts win the British-American Cup seven times
- 1937The Royal Northern moves to the present clubhouse at Rhu, merging with the Gareloch Yacht Club
- 1978The Royal Northern and the Royal Clyde merge as the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club
- 2005The Sonar class is introduced at the club
- 2020The club acquires a St Ayles coastal rowing skiff
Location
- Position
- 56°1.06′ N 4°47.00′ W
56.01774, -4.78335 - Address
- The Clubhouse (Ardenvohr), Rhu, Helensburgh
Frequently asked
When was Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club founded?
In 1824.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: RNCYC Club Regatta, North Clyde Regatta, Millennium Bowl and Gareloch One Design Championships.