People
Archipelago is a collaborative organisation - we work together to run projects that interest us. Some of our endeavours involve all of us, some just a few folk. We would love to grow our team, if you'd like to join us get in touch!
Directors and Staff
Ben Wilde
Ben is the lead for all things Archipelago Folkschool he trained as a boatbuilder at the North West School of Wooden Boatbuilding in 2008 and has been working as a boatbuilder and teacher since. He loves helping people find their confidence and skills in woodwork and has built his life around this work. In 2020 he moved to Mull and built our workshop on his croft.
Before starting Archipelago Folkschool he ran the boatbuilding programme of the GalGael Trust in Glasgow from 2010 to 2018 teaching traditional boatbuilding to disadvataged adults. Notable projects including restoring Orcuan, a 30' Hebridean Birlinn belonging to the GalGael Trust; new build of the Iain Oughtred West Coast Skiff and developing a new 10'6" clinker dinghy design.
ROBBIE WIGHTMAN
Robbie Wightman is a solicitor with over 25 year experience in Personal Injury, Mental Health Law and Professional Negligence Litigation, working in both the private and public sectors. He has had a lifelong involvement in traditional boats and in 2010 he became the Convenor of Scottish Coastal Rowing Association from which he stepped down in 2020 having guided it from its establishment to being a widely regarded and emulated organisation internationally. Robbie was chief umpire and race director at the St Ayles Skiff World Championships in 2013, 2016 and 2019 as well as holding the same role for Castle to Crane for the last 4 years. We are delighted that Robbie has brought his wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to the Folkschool to help guide us in years to come.