Classic yachts created by one of Scotland's most famous ship designers are returning home for a dramatic race around the west coast.

Ships from all over Europe designed by the world-renowned Victorian naval architect Alfred Mylne will gather at Rhu on Sunday July 12 for four days of races around the Clyde Estuary.

Mylne, who opened his first office in Glasgow in 1896, designed more than 400 yachts, a significant proportion of which are still sailing.

He is recognised as one of the greatest naval designers of the period and the company he founded is now the oldest continuously operating yacht design business in the world.

The 15 yachts taking part in the celebratory race - which will include vessels from Scotland, England, Ireland and Norway - will depart from Rhu on Sunday for Bute, where many Mylne boats were built.

Brian Young, of Helensburgh, will be taking part with six friends on his yacht Glenafton. Young bought the 60ft boat, which was built on the Mylne yard on Bute, in 1976.

"I want to take part in the regatta because Glenafton is a Mylne," said Mr Young. "She's one of the many Mylne boats on the Clyde. I know all of the places on the route but I never tire of going to them. The Clyde is a perfect sailing place because it's sheltered and you get wonderful summers. As long as we are on the boat, we're happy."

Erling Storm, a 56-year-old electrical engineer, will be coming from his home in Oslo to take part. His 92ft vessel Eileen, which he bought 16 years ago, was built in Glasgow in 1934.

"I have always had all kinds of boats since I was a child and the first thing my wife and I bought together was a boat," he said. "What I fell for with Eileen was the lines. With most older boats, the lines are two low or too steep in the stern, but the lines with Eileen are exceptionally good.

"When we race her she beats a lot of other boats and they are surprised; they think a big and heavy boat like her would be slow."

Next week's race will be the first time Storm, who has recruited a 15-strong team including six locals, has sailed in Scotland. "The boat is for sale and I bought it in Scotland so it's fair to the Scottish people to offer it back to them first," he said.

The race is being organised by David Gray, the current owner of the Mylne company, which is now based in Limekilns in Fife. "I have always had a passion for yachts and sailing ever since my childhood when I read Swallows and Amazons and took my little model boat down to the pond," he said.

Mr Gray said many people knew they had a Mylne but didn't realise how important they were in yacht design. "It's like having a Bentley in the garage and not realising what you have," he said.

Mr Gray said the race was a significant event for everyone who owned a Mylne. "This is the first time the yachts have come together under the Mylne flag," he said. "The boats are so appealing because they were well designed and beautiful and they were fast and race winners. Other people produced race-winning yachts but Mylnes tended to have more space inside and retained their speed."

Mr Gray said the route of the race was a classic. "It's traditional Cycle sailing territory," he said. "The water is uncluttered and you get a great wind - it's one of Europe's finest sailing grounds."