Head for the harbour this July where the Port of Aberdeen will be playing host to the largest fleet ever to take part in the Tall Ships Races. The sailing ships made a previous visit to the city and the five day event is expected to draw up to 400,000 visitors. Most of the events are free and there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
There are four classes of ship taking part, from yachts to multi-masted ships often used as training vessels. Belem, a French ship, is the oldest in the race, being built in 1896. Having begun life as a cargo ship transporting sugar from the West Indies as well as cocoa and coffee from Brazil and French Guiana to Nantes in France. Belem was also a private yacht for Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster and was also owned by Sir Arthur Guinness, of brewery fame. The newest vessel, Peru’s BAP Union was built in 2015 as the first sail training ship of the Peruvian Navy. It acts as a training vessel for officers and naval cadets and as a sailing ambassador, promoting Peru in its various voyages around the world. There are tall ships from Norway, Uruguay, Mexico, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Oman. Smaller ships of interest include Gordonstoun School’s Ocean Spirit of Moray, a ketch used to teach pupils seamanship in the Moray Firth and seas off Northern Scotland. All pupils spend some time training in seamanship locally from Hopeman on the Moray Firth in preparation for cruising off the west coast of Scotland in Ocean Spirit.
The ships will sail from Dunkirk, arriving in Aberdeen on Friday 18th July. The quayside will be closed that afternoon to allow safe berthing. The party kicks off on Friday night with the first of the quayside concerts starting at 6.30pm. Peterson Seabase will be transformed into a 7000 capacity outdoor venue with bars and food stalls. Deacon Blue headline on Friday. A full orchestra plays a classic dance tracks on Saturday and Kaiser Chiefs appear on Monday night. Sunday sees a more local flavour with Tide Lines and Calum Bowie’s free concert.
There will be a chance to explore some of the ships and find out about life on board. You can also look forward to around 60 trade and charity stalls, street food markets and bars, lots of free entertainment and daytime concerts, and STEM activities in the Discovery Zone. There will even be a funfair on King Street from West North Street to Castle Street. It’s definitely one of those events where the bus is your best option, because parking will be at a premium.
Sunday brings a Crew Parade down Union Terrace, Rosemount Viaduct, Broad Street and Regent’s Quay from 4pm and a prize giving ceremony at 5pm.
The ships are scheduled to leave Aberdeen on their next race to Kristiansand in Norway over Tuesday 22nd , with a parade of sail and passage to the race starting point.
Plan your trip and book concert tickets at tallshipsaberdeen.com
