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During the latter half of the 19th century, Ness was a major producer of cured ling and cod; with approximately 10% of the fishermen in the Isle of Lewis being resident in Ness. The fish, caught using baited lines, was exported throughout Europe and provided a major source of revenue for what was otherwise an impoverished rural community that survived on the produce of small parcels of croft land and some livestock.

The design of the Sgoth Niseach ensured it was well suited to the particular set of conditions that 19th century Ness fishermen operated under. These vessels had to be relatively small and light to allow them to be launched manually and landed from the beach. However, this also had to be balanced with a structurally strong and robust design that could survive the rigors of fishing in the uncompromising water of the Atlantic Ocean.The Jubilee was built in 1935 by John F. MacLeod, a local boat-builder from Port of Ness. The sgoth was built for Malcolm Macleod, a fisherman from Borve and was registered at the port of Stornoway (number SY 233). The Jubilee was one of the second generation class of Sgoth (16-17 foot keel, 26-27 foot overall), which was developed after W.W.I - when long-line fishing had begun to go into serious, and ultimately terminal, decline. Smaller vessels like the Jubilee were principally used to fish for domestic needs rather than exports and used lighter small-lines (lion-beag) to fish nearer port.

Throughout W.W.II, the Jubilee remained largely unused; with many local fishermen being drafted or volunteered for National Service - serving mainly in the Royal and Merchant navies. With the ending of hostilities, the vessel was then bought by an energetic crew from the port of Skigersta, Ness. For several years, this crew used it for small-line fishing; mainly for haddock, flounder and cod which was then sold within the Island.

During the late 1950s, the Jubilee was once again sold and spent the next few decades outwith the district of Ness.Amongst other things, Ness is famous for the annual trip some of its young men make to Sulasgeir (Gaelic:- Gannet Rock), a rocky outcrop situated approximately 40 miles north of the Butt of Lewis. Each year, during the month of August, 2,000 young gannets are culled on the rock, under licence. The birds are cleaned and salted on Sulasgeir before being brought back to Ness for consumption. This centuries old tradition dates back to the times when local families were unable to easily sustain themselves on the meagre food and produce being cultivated on their small crofts, or from fishing during unproductive years. Consequently, generations of Ness families were dependent on the salted gannet meat that was brought back from the rock. Although the tradition still continues, the Jubilee - in August 1947 and accompanied by the ageing Peaceful - was the last sailing vessel to undertake this annual trip to Sulasgeir.

In 1978, following a number of years of inactivity and general neglect, the Jubilee was purchased on behalf of the Ness community by a group of local enthusiasts and brought back ‘home’ to Ness. By this time, the vessel had fallen into a state of serious disrepair. Furthermore, since being built, several alterations had been made to the boat; particularly, the addition of a wheel-house and deck. The newly established Ness-based Sgoth Committee immediately decided to try to restore the vessel to its former splendour. For this purpose, a restoration fund was established to enable this work to be carried out.Appropriately, Mr J. M. Macleod - the son of the builder who had originally built the Jubilee - was engaged to undertake the restorative work. Mr MacLeod had recently retired from lecturing in navigation and seamanship at the Lews Castle College. For many years he had successfully managed to combine teaching with his first love; building wooden sailing craft using the traditional skills and techniques he had earlier learned in his father’s boat-building yard at Port of Ness.

Having secured the necessary funding, work commenced on returning the Jubilee to being a sail-powered, Ness type skiff. This involved: the removal of the ‘foreign’ deck and wheelhouse which now masked her former lines; replacing or repairing damaged timber; refitting and re-sewing the vessel with new ironmongery and fastenings; and re-equipping her with a new dipping lug sail.