Swede sensation

The year 1886 was some time ago I think we can all agree and, in fairness, it seems to have been a fairly unassuming year as far as world history goes. In the events of note column you could probably point to Sigmund Freud setting up his first practice, the Tory government of Lord Salisbury was obliged to resign as no-one had confidence in them any more and, um, Germany granted Tonga neutrality. Yet in a quiet corner of Sweden another rather unassuming piece of history was being made because the yard of Linjett Yachts was established. Nothing too remarkable about that, yet what is extraordinary is that careful stewardship by this family run business means it is still flourishing to this day, run by the three Gustaffson brothers and based in a quiet bay in Norrtälje, somewhere north of Stockholm, deep in the Swedish archipelago. The company has evolved from wooden boatbuilding and now turns out high quality mid-sized cruising