WITH the Forth Road Bridge closed for repairs, Queensferry Rowing Club plan to make a seasonal delivery by skiff, crossing the river from south to north on Wednesday at noon.

The South Queensferry club will take Ferry Maid, one of their two community-built skiffs, with four oars and a cox to row from Port Edgar to North Queensferry. 

They will carry a Christmas delivery from Craigies Farm Deli and Cafe based just west of Edinburgh to a customer on the north side of the Forth.   

Weather permitting, the crossing should take about 15 minutes and the boat will then return to Port Edgar.

Ferry Maid will be launched  as usual from the slipway in Port Edgar with preparations starting around 11.30am on Wednesday.  The boat will be skippered by Donna Martin, the  rowing club captain.

John Sinclair, of Craigies, said: “The closing of the bridge has brought many challenges to the communities north and south of the bridge.  It is fantastic that the local community have rallied to help each other in times of need.”

Donna Martin added; “This is a great opportunity for Queensferry Rowing Club to support our local community by assisting Craigies.”