Kirkcudbright RNLI officially opens new station as new lifeboat is named

In an unusual double ceremony, the second event then took place at the harbour in Kirkcudbright to name the new Atlantic 85 B-952 George D Dow.

Little had changed since 1892 when the Kirkcudbright lifeboat station first opened, but in 2026 a newly renovated and extended building now provides a state of the art 21^st century facility for the Kirkcudbright RNLI volunteer crew. Funded by several main donors and the local community appeal, the lifeboat station sits proudly on Torrs Shore four miles out of Kirkcudbright.

On Saturday (26 September), Piper Jane McCartney opened the event at the boathouse with an unusual piped rendition of the national anthem before Jeff Dolby, volunteer Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group, welcomed guests to the opening ceremony.

Christopher Lamb BEM, Trustee of the Civil Service Lifeboat Fund, then handed the new lifeboat station into the care of the RNLI, represented by Peter Sparkes, RNLI Chief Executive. Lifeboat Operations Manager at Kirkcudbright RNLI, John Collins BEM, then accepted the boathouse on behalf of Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Station and invited David Mahood representing one of the donors to cut the ribbon to officially open the lifeboat station. Fearne Hutchison on behalf of the community appeal then raised the RNLI flag at the station. May Brown, Kirkcudbright RNLI Fundraising President delivered the vote of thanks.

The new lifeboat, Atlantic 85 B-952 George D Dow, then launched from the boathouse and headed to Kirkcudbright Harbour. Once all the guests had assembled at the harbour, the lifeboat naming ceremony took place.

In glorious sunshine with the lifeboat at the harbour wall, Sound Wave Community Choir sang at the start of the second part of this memorable day. They had been the first fundraisers for the community appeal, which raised over £209,000 towards the new lifeboat station in Kirkcudbright.

Following the national anthem, Jeff Dolby, volunteer Chairman, again welcomed everyone to the ceremony, before Louise Cooper, representing the late Mr John Douglas Bottomley, gave a short history of Mr Bottomley and his reasons for naming the boat in memory of his Uncle George D Dow, both of whom had worked their lifetimes in the shipping industry.

She then entrusted the new lifeboat into the care of the RNLI and this was accepted by Peter Sparkes, Chief Executive of the RNLI, who handed it into the care of John Collins, Lifeboat Operations Manager, on behalf of Kirkcudbright RNLI.

John Collins brought to the guest’s attention the fact that the lifeboat was crewed by four helmsmen (Robert Ross, Derek Ingram, Martin Valentine and Douglas Gillespie) who between them have served the RNLI for over 100 years, demonstrating the loyalty and dedication to this much-loved charity and lifeboat station.

Reverend Alison Hudson then led a short service of dedication for the new lifeboat station and B class lifeboat George D Dow.

Two friends, Alison Lawrie and Meriel Bryson, of the late Mr Bottomley then officially named the lifeboat and John Collins presented a plaque to Alison as a memento. Lynsey Anderson, RNLI Community Manager, delivered a vote of thanks. Guests then went to the Cochran Hall for refreshments.

Jane McCartney then piped as the boat gave a short demonstration and then headed back to the boathouse to begin a new chapter for Kirkcudbright RNLI, continuing the long tradition of saving lives at sea.

John Collins said it had been a proud and memorable day for everyone involved at Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Station.

In May 2024, Kirkcudbright RNLI launched the local fundraising appeal for the new boathouse with an initial fundraising target of £50,000. In September 2026, the fundraising total stood at just over £209,000.

The local fundraising appeal has helped contribute to the cost of bringing about the renovation and extension of the Victorian Boathouse. Generous donors and organisations have also contributed towards the overall £1.2m appeal to cover the cost of this building. A state of the art 21^st century building now sits proudly at Torrs Shore.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Christine Collins, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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