Loch Lomond Rowing Club

The club was established on Loch Lomond in 1827 and, beaten to the post only by Royal Chester, is the second oldest rowing club in Britain. It’s been hugely successful in competitive rowing and for many, the ‘living memory’ years of the 1950’s and 60’s will recall great names like Jackie Haining, Archie Nelson, and Alex and Tommy Gillies who represented the club and Scotland at national and international events throughout the UK. In the early 1970’s the clubhouse moved to its present location next to the Angling Club on the River Leven and a social side of rowing was established with many ex-rowers supporting the Saturday and Sunday fund raising functions. The successes of the early 70’s saw an influx of members and when Alex Thomson (one of the feared ‘Techie’ teachers at the Vale of Leven Academy) became interested in rowing, a thriving junior section wasn’t long in springing up. Loch Lomond soon became one of Scotland’s biggest and most successful rowing clubs throughout the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s, winning upwards of 70 events every year in many classes of adult and junior rowing. Perhaps the club’s most successful era (70’s to the 90’s) saw it produce countless Scottish Champions and revered coaches but some notable names made it into Scottish rowing history. Peter Haining, Jim McNiven, Jim Paton and John McArthur to name a few went on to distinguish themselves and continued to represent Loch Lomond wherever they went. John McArthur moved to London and, applying his Sports Science Degree, coached many National and International crews and spent 4 years as Scottish Rowing’s High Performance coach. Jim McNiven and Jim Paton moved to Nottingham where, after winning many National Championships, formed a crew which was to race internationally and break the Lightweight 4’s world record. Jim McNiven remained in Nottingham to become a key member of the National team winning numerous World Championship medals culminating in his World Champion title in ’94. He, like his uncle John McNiven, also went on to become a double Olympian. Peter Haining (also an accomplished Olympian) had moved to Nottingham a number of years previous and after accumulating many World Championship medals achieved the seemingly unachievable in winning the World Sculling Championship title 3 years in succession - topped only by being awarded the CBE at Buckingham Palace. Peter is now coaching future Olympians at the prestigious Brookes College, Oxford.