Key Information
Scotland’s institutions offer a fantastic environment for rowing – whether you’re picking up an oar for the first time or you’ve been racing since school. With eight affiliated boat clubs from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, student rowing covers everything from learn-to-row programmes and indoor training through to national competition and international representation.
Student clubs compete across Scottish Rowing and BUCS events throughout the year, with categories for beginners, intermediates, and open/championship crews. Several clubs also take part in beach sprints and coastal rowing, a growing area of the sport ahead of its Olympic debut at LA 2028.
Sport Chair: Matt Simpson
Contact: ScotStuRowing@gmail.com
Governing body: Scottish Rowing
Linktree: ScotStuRowing
Victor Ludorum 25-26
This season the group introduced the Victor Ludorum, a season-long table ranking university clubs by participation and performance across four national events:
| Position | Club | Points |
| 1st | Edinburgh University Boat Club | 1,504 |
| 2nd | Glasgow University Boat Club | 1,228 |
| 3rd | University of St Andrews Boat Club | 1,097 |
| 4th | Strathclyde University Boat Club | 924 |
| 5th | University Rowing Aberdeen | 655 |
| 6th | Heriot-Watt University Boat Club | 475 |
| 7th | Dundee University Boat Club | 409 |
Upcoming Rowing Events
The Scottish student rowing season is built around a small number of key events, bringing together clubs from across Scotland and the UK. These events currently form the basis of the Scottish Student Rowing Victor Ludorum, a season-long ranking recognising participation and performance across the year.
Events will display below when confirmed.
You might want to know…
British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) provide the main inter-university competition framework. Key events include BUCS Head (February), BUCS Regatta (May), and the BUCS Indoor Rowing Series. Visit BUCS Rowing for more.
In Scotland, the Scottish Spring Regatta at Strathclyde Park (April) includes the Scottish Student Rowing Championships, run in partnership with Scottish Rowing.
Meet your Sports Chair
Matthew Simpson
Matt has chaired Scottish Student Rowing since 2021 and leads the Sports Group’s work with Scottish Student Sport, Scottish Rowing, and affiliated clubs across Scotland. He supports the group’s activity across competition, development, engagement, and communications, helping to promote and strengthen student rowing nationally.
SS Rowing Sports Group Members
Matthew is supported by a brilliant group of volunteers:
- Vice Chair: Matthew Bell
- Development Officer: Isla Gilroy
- Communications Officer: Andrea Byrne
- Competitions Officer: Vacant, get in touch if you’re interested
- Scottish Rowing & BUCS Rep: Fiona Rennie