Photographed, sketched, painted and filmed many thousands of times through the years by visitors to our village, she’s one of Ardentinny’s most famous landmarks.
The fishing boat Girl Sharon was, until recently, a working vessel, trawling for langoustine in Loch Long and beyond. Built in 1970 by Smith & Hutton Boatbuilders, Anstruther and with her distinctive BA-61 (Ballantrae) registration, she was cared for by her owner Graham (Noddy) Wilson who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Graham was a familiar character on the slipway beach, devoting much of his spare time to maintaining the 50-year-old boat and skilfully beaching her each spring for her annual paint job and maintenance. As can be seen from her many images online, Girl Sharon was originally bright red, but latterly was painted “saltire blue” as Graham described her new colour.
Sadly, this little piece of Ardentinny’s recent history is now up for sale. Our hope is that, under her new ownership, Girl Sharon will remain on Loch Long as a historic reminder of Ardentinny’s links with its past fishing community and a nostalgic memory of our well-kent character and friend, Graham Wilson.
Update: Girl Sharon has now been sold and we understand that she will remain at Ardentinny for the foreseeable future.
Stayed in The Heron Cottage 4 times. Lost count how many times I have photographed or done a painting of the boat or the view with the boat in the foreground. Great shame to hear about Noddy, did chat to him on our visits. RIP Noddy
It will not seem right if the boat dissappears.