Ready for the voyage of a lifetime on board Swan, are Aberdeen's Tall Ships Races trainees, being wished bon voyage by Councillor Martin Greig; Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired and Lord Dean of Guild of the City of Aberdeen, Sylvia Halkerston. Image - Aberdeen City Council/Norman Adams
The first group of young sail trainees from Aberdeen set off from the port today (Monday 29 June) to take part in this year’s Tall Ships Races for a life-changing adventure on the high seas.
The nine youngsters, who set sail on the beautifully restored ship, Swan, are taking part in the Cruise-in-Company leg from Harlingen in the Netherlands, to Antwerp in Belgium.
They are the first of 13 fully funded and three self-funded trainees recruited as part of the legacy of the momentous Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025.
Councillor Martin Greig, the Chair of Aberdeen's Tall Ships Committee and Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said: “Bringing the Tall Ships back last year brought immense pride to our city.
“It's great that we have been able to create a long-lasting legacy by supporting a new group of sail trainees to take part in the Tall Ships race. I am delighted that we are offering these opportunities to keep the connection with the Tall Ships alive.
“The young people will gain important professional skills and build friendships that will stay with them forever. Each participant is in for a remarkable life-changing adventure. I wish the whole team the best of luck and Godspeed."
The trainees set sail from Port of Aberdeen’s Telford Jetty on the ship built in Shetland in 1900, which was a highlight of last year’s Tall Ships Aberdeen celebrations. The remaining trainees will join race two from Antwerp in Belgium to Stavanger, Norway, on July 13.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It is almost a year since the Tall Ships sailed away from Aberdeen last summer, but the lasting impact they had on the Granite City still resonates to this day – as these young sail trainees are about to find.
“They are in for a fantastic voyage of discovery, not only about life on a Tall Ship, but what they are capable of and can achieve through teamwork, discipline and, above all else, friendship. These are lessons for life, and all made possible thanks to the legacy of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025.”
The magnificent sight of Swan under sail. Image - Sail Training International
Bob Sanguinetti DL, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “Today we saw a new team of sail trainees departing Aberdeen for the adventure of a lifetime. This is a tangible example of how the benefit of The Tall Ships Races stretches well beyond the four incredible days in July last year. These young people carry Aberdeen's maritime heritage forward, and Port of Aberdeen is proud to play its part in making that happen."
Young people aged 15 to 25 who live within an AB postcode and were not required to have previous sailing experience were invited to apply. The lucky 16 attended an information session on 20 June ahead of their forthcoming epic adventures.
Among them was Keiran Side, who won the Torbay Cup for his outstanding contribution and personal achievement during his time onboard Gulden Leeuw on race leg 2 from Dunkirk to Aberdeen during the Tall Ships Races 2025.
As a result of his great accomplishment, Keiran was awarded his trophy and given a 500 Euro bursary from Sail Training International towards a future sail training voyage, in addition to funding from Port of Aberdeen allowing him to take part again this year.
Trainee funders were supported by Port of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Burgesses, with Lord Dean of Guild of the City of Aberdeen, Sylvia Halkerston, among those waving off the trainees this morning, along with supporters Ocean Trust Youth who co-ordinated trainee and chaperone travel.
The 2026 Tall Ships Races will depart from Aarhus (Denmark), before racing to Harlingen (Netherlands), Antwerp (Belgium), Stavanger (Norway) and finishing in Aalborg (Denmark).
Those interested can track the progress of the 2026 Races through the YB Tracking App and online via Sail Training International: YB Tracking 2026 - Sail Training International