Queen's old racing yacht sails into Capital

A CLASSIC racing yacht once owned by the Queen sailed into its new home in the Capital today.

The 63ft Bloodhound arrived in Edinburgh to join her "big sister" the Royal Yacht Britannia, now a popular tourist attraction in Leith docks.

She will form part of a new exhibition on the Royal Family's passion for sailing after being bought by trustees earlier this year.

The Bloodhound was built for US huntsman Isaac Bell in 1936, and has an illustrious ocean-racing history.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh bought her in 1962.

Two crew members who worked on the yacht during her royal ownership helped sail her into Leith today.

Chairman of the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust Rear Admiral Neil Rankin said: "It is with a great sense of pride that we welcome such an important part of royal sailing history to her new home, and just as we maintain Britannia for future generations to enjoy, we will similarly care for Bloodhound."

The Bloodhound was sold to the trust earlier this year by Tony and Cindy McGrail, who spent four years restoring the yacht.

Her numerous racing victories include the Morgan Cup in 1936, the North Sea Race in 1949 and 1951, and the Lyme Bay Race in 1959 and 1965.

The exhibition opens tomorrow, with visitors able to view the yacht from a specially-built pontoon.