Fast and Bonnie

This memorable piece of yachting history chronicles the development and progress of William Fife and Son Yachtbuilders and its business from the beginning of the nineteenth century until its closure in 1939.

William Fife and Son was one of the premier yacht building yards in Britain and one of the most famous in the world. Some of the most beautiful yachts ever built were designed by three notable members of the Fife family. William Fife I, originally a builder of fishing smacks, famously created the paddlesteamer Industry. He is particularly remembered for his desire to build yachts that were ’fast and bonnie’. William Fife II consolidated the reputation of the yard and developed designs that were way ahead of their time. William Fife III took the yard to the apogee of its success, designing two of Sir Thomas Lipton’s famous challengers for the America’s Cup. His clients included some of the crowned heads of Europe and his designs were in demand in Australia, America and Canada.

This memorable piece of yachting history chronicles the development and progress of the yard and its business from the beginning of the nineteenth century until its closure in 1939; almost 1,000 boats were designed and built in this period. Many Fife boats are still afloat and there are still special regattas for them and even a yard dedicated to their restoration. This story of enterprise and craftsmanship is interspersed with lively anecdotes about the family, their clients and their craftsmen.

About the Author

May Fife McCallum, a descendant of the founder of William Fife and Son Yachtbuilders, had privileged access to private papers, business records and photographs in order to write her book, Fast and Bonnie. Over many years she researched this archival material and also recorded the reminiscences of family friends and of local people personally associated with the yard and its workforce. She was thus uniquely suited to write the definitive work on one of the businesses of which Scotland can be most proud.