Murray Morrant is an apprentice traditional timber boatbuilder working alongside master boatbuilder Peter Matheson at Clydeside Boatbuilders in Glasgow. With QEST funding, Murray will continue his apprenticeship for another year, gaining hands-on experience in building wooden boats using time-honoured techniques.
Based on the River Clyde — once the heart of a thriving boatbuilding industry — the apprenticeship focuses on constructing Stroma Yawls and other traditional small fishing boats. Under Peter’s expert guidance, Murray is developing the ability to ‘build by eye’ and will ultimately be able to construct a Stroma Yawl independently. This work not only preserves endangered skills but ensures the continuation of Peter’s legacy as he nears retirement.
Murray began working with Peter in 2024, following a long-standing interest in boats and a desire to learn how they were made. He has a deep appreciation for craft and curation, and is fascinated by the cultural and historical significance of local boats and how they reflect the communities they came from. He hopes to document Peter’s techniques, deepen his woodworking skills, and one day build traditional boats independently — continuing a craft deeply rooted in Scotland’s coastal communities.
