BOATING ACCIDENT
 On Tuesday last at Largiebeg, Whiting Bay, Robert McKelvie and William Shaw were sailing in a boat, when a sudden gust caused the boat, which was carrying full sail, to sink under them. Fortunately they were not far from land at the time and their cries attracted the attention of people on the shore. Two men, Robert McNicol and John Ramsay, launched a boat as quickly as possible and proceeded to the rescue. As it was, the men were about 20 minutes in the water, and were nearly exhausted by the time the boat reached them.

Buteman – Saturday 11 June 1887

Ist FALKIRK COMPANY AT WHITING BAY
July 1938
The advance party left Grahamston on Friday at 12.47 a.m. for Whiting Bay, and after a weary journey arrived at eight o’clock Trains and boat were late, but that did not damp their spirits, for when the company started to muster about 6.30 on Saturday morning to get the 7.50 train to Ardrossan and embark on the Marquess of Graham, all thoughts were how has the advance party got on. The company had a good journey, and most of them may be said to have walked from Ardrossan to Whiting Bay, for they explored the boat: the only place they were not on was the bridge. We arrived in Whiting Bay in glorious sunshine to find everything in order and the cook with dinner ready. After the squad had their tents numbered off, all changed into various attire. The bugler sounded cook-house, and we enjoyed our first meal in camp, everybody doing justice to the fare provided. After dinner everyone left camp for a walk round, but all returned in plenty of time for tea, with the comment, we are going to have a great time.” After tea most of the boys had a walk around again, and some went to Lamlash. Everybody was in for supper, and so Saturday passed. On Sunday morning we had some rain, but it soon passed off, and the company paraded to St Columba’s Church, where the Rev. J. J. Cumming gave a fine talk to the toys. After dinner we had our first swimming parade, and all enjoyed their first visit to the briny. The rest of Sunday passed off quietly. Monday heralded in a glorious morning, and after breakfast it was a case of football or cricket for most of the day. Tuesday was a glorious day with swimming parades and football and cricket in view of the cricket match with the officers later in the day. The officers won the toss for first knock,” and with stone-walling by J. J. and big hits by the cook, went on to score 60 runs. The start of the boys’ innings was a disastrous one, and soon the officers’ attack made it a rout. The boys managed to score about 29 runs and that game will long be remembered. for it was the first victory the officers have had for five years. Wednesday morning saw preparations being made for visitors, and following a busy morning, we welcomed to dinner 30 parents and friends. After doing justice to a good dinner, all made tracks for the sports field, where a programme was carried out to suit all tastes. The results were:—1oo yards, senior—1, Adam Veitch; 2, Robt. Fisher; 3, Alex. Paterson. 100 yards, junior—l, Wm. Stobie; 2, Chas. Service: 3, Alex. Fraser. Long Jump, senior —1, John Reid; 2, Robert Fisher. .Long jump, Junior —1, Wm. Stobie; 2, Alex. Stewart. Obstacle race, junior—l, Alex. Stewart; 2 ,Alex. Veitch; 3. Drew Ford. Obstacle race—1, John Reid; 2, Fobt. Fisher; 3, Wm. Gillespie*. Relay ace —No. 2 Tent. Five-a-side football No. 1 Squad Team. Visitors’ race, ladies— Margaret Crowe and Mrs MTnnes. Visitors race, gentlemen—Mr Harry Fairlle and Mr R. McInnes. Officers’ race—John Johnston. After the sports we provided tea for our visitors, and the prizes won at the sports were presented. The captain welcomed the visitors, and hoped all had had an enjoyable day. Mr McInnes replied. and said all had enjoyed their visit and it would be long remembered. The company and Bugle Band thereafter made for the pier to give the visitors a send-off. Returning to camp, a football match was played with the Whiting Bav F.C., and after a good game the Ist Falkirk won by seven goals to four. On Thursday it had been arranged to tour the island, but just as the company were about to leave in the buses the rain came on. Fortunately it did not last, and we had delightful tour, with stops at Lochranza and Blackwaterfoot. We had a visitor in our chaplain, and he accompanied round the Island and spent the night with us. It was an awful night of rain, but on Friday it was again bright. We played a football match against 5th Glasgow 8.8., and won by 4-2, The rest of Friday was spent between swimming parades and cricket; while a few walked into Lamlash. We had sing-song at right and made a presentation to our cook. The boys’ contributions to the singsong were all of the best, and we retired to bed happy and tired, all hoping Saturday would see the last of the rain. Saturday arrived with the sun out, and the forenoon was spent buying presents and playing football, and after dinner all got dressed up and set off on their different ways. We had a few fishers, and they kept the company going in fish, but could not catch the chips. On Sunday we again paraded to church, this time to Stewart’s Memorial Church along with the 5th Glasgow, where the Rev. J. Walker Muir addressed the boys, Sunday afternoon was lovely, and we made the most of it. Monday saw pack up and say goodbye to Whiting Bay for the present. We shall have happy memory of the many friends made and kindness shown to us. We thank those people who helped in any way to have a camp, and we specially want to thank the officers and cooks for their work, and the Weather Clerk for giving us good weather. The boat Journey home was very interesting, for we called at Lamlash and Brodick. Soon Ardrossan was reached, then train to Glasgow, arriving in Falkirk about eight o’clock, all feeling the better of our ten days in camp.

Falkirk Herald – Saturday 23 July 1938

REGATTA (August 1888)
With the intention of offering some inducement to natives and residents in Arran to put their boats in better order, keep them so, and if possible, replace their old craft by others of a better and stronger description, an annual sailing match open to the island of Arran was inaugurated at Whiting Bay some ten years ago. (1878) The result of the first race justified the best expectations of the committee then appointed, and since then two silver cups and other prizes have been added to the annual competition. For the express purpose of taking part in these races, five new boats ranging from eighteen to twenty-two feet, have been added to the native fleet, and the interest in the yearly cup contest is now a wide-spread one over the whole Island. In this year’s race four boat. started— Jennie (M. Spier.), 22 feet; Mona (R. McKelvie), 22 feet; Lizette (J. Miller), I8 feet ; Thistle (Montgomerie), 18 feet. The course was from commodore. moored off Ferry Quay, round the flag boat off Largiebeg Point, thence round mark off Knockenkelly Burn, King’s Cross, and back to starting point. After much difficulty, owing to a freesh breeze and a lumpy sea from the south, the four boats were sent off in their long beat to the windward. Standing on starboard tack far off to sea, the smaller crafts fell badly to leeward in the broken water, the two larger boats keeping well together till the weather mark was reached. After a hard fought race, in which wet jackets were the order of the day, Mr Arch-bald Colville’s handsome challenge cup fell to the Jennie (M. Spiers.), into whose possession (having been twice won) this cup now passes. On the conclusion of the race, the crews, by invitation of the Sailing Committee, were entertained to a hearty lunch on board the commodore, in preparatory to being sent off a second time for Mr G. M. Richmond’s challenge prize and a money stake added. In this race some Interesting cross-taking was done on the beat to weather mark, the finish again showing Jennie in first place. As both prizes cannot be held by the same boat. Mena, in second place, lifted the challenge prize, the first money prize alone going to Jeenie. Thistle, though a new boat, and one of undoubted speed, was not fortunate in either of the races, and L’zette a former holder of the Arran Cup, and skilfully handled on this as on all past occasions—laboured under the disadvantage of an over-press of head sail. On the conclusion of the races the prizes were presented to the sucessful competitors, and on receiving his prize Mr Spiers kindly offered to provide a new cup for next year’s race. The arrangements of the day were under the supervision of Mr P. Downie, secretary, and to his exertions on behalf of their annual races much of their sucess is due.

Ayrshire Weekly News and Galloway Press – Friday 31 August 1888