WELCOME TO YOUR LATEST IN TOUCH NEWSLETTER
It’s October already – and that means the tide is racing in for the arrival of the Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen next July.
There was recently a real nautical milestone moment for this fantastic event - one of the biggest to be staged in Scotland next year - with the appointment of John Lang as Chief Liaison Officer.
John brings a wealth of experience from his 35 years in the energy industry and will now be the lynchpin in this voluntary role for training and managing the 100 Volunteer Liaison Officers.
It is great to see such talent coming forward to throw their weight behind the Tall Ships Races which will bring 400,000 visits to the Granite City from July 19 to 22.
And I have no doubt many more dedicated and skilled people will flock to support this crucial event for our city, from ordinary folk to the city’s business community.
The Tall Ships Races offers more than just a memorable weekend of fun, spectacle and celebrating Aberdeen’s maritime heritage.
It is a chance to put Aberdeen firmly on the world map as must-see destination, helping to draw even more visitors to discover what the Granite City has to offer.
And the economic impact it will have on the whole of the north-east cannot be underestimated, with countless opportunities for local businesses and traders.
Little wonder that the clarion call from Tall Ships Races Aberdeen is: “Get ready, get excited, get involved!”
John is the first of many to get on board with the Tall Ships Races – and this is a great time for you to join him.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image Credits - Port of Aberdeen
Warm welcome for key player in the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen team has been strengthened with the appointment of John Lang as Chief Liaison Officer (CLO), an essential role in the smooth running of Europe’s largest free family event.
The milestone move has been welcomed by Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, which is working with Aberdeen City Council and the Port of Aberdeen to bring the prestigious world-class event to the Granite City for the first in nearly 30 years from July 19-22, 2025.
It is expected to draw up to 60 Tall Ships from across the globe to the city as well as attract 400,000 visits.
You can read more about this key appointment here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Last orders to share your vital views on Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks
Service might be over for the latest hugely-popular Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, but we want your feedback on this celebration of the finest food and drink offerings in the Granite City.
And there is still time to take part in our survey and share your views that are so important to us in helping improve future events.
You can tell us what you thought about the most recent Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks – which ran from September 2 – 15, in this brief questionnaire which should take you less than five minutes to complete.
You can take the survey here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Look back at the joy of Aberdeen’s Umbrella Project to celebrate neurodiversity
As the colourful brollies of the Umbrella Project are folded away for another year, here’s a look back at the joy and vibrancy this spectacular display brought to Shiprow over the summer months.
The campaign, which celebrates and raises awareness of neurodiversity, was launched in a blaze of song and dance in May, staged by Aberdeen Inspired, who lead the campaign in partnership with the ADHD Foundation.
The Umbrella Project display on Shiprow, which ended last week, is a tribute to the “umbrella” term of neurodiversity, which includes ADHD, autism, Tourette's Syndrome, dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.
Read more about it – and see our colourful gallery of photographs - here.
Image Credits - Police Scotland
Vital to report all incidents of city centre anti-social behaviour to police
Aberdeen Inspired is urging everyone to report all incidents of anti-social or non-emergency criminal behaviour in the city centre via 101 or Police Scotland’s online reporting form.
Concerns over such behaviour – which many of our levy payers fear is on the increase in some areas – was raised at a recent city centre safety committee meeting.
The advice from Police Scotland was to make them aware of such incidents by dialling 101. If that line has a lengthy waiting time, incidents can be speedily reported online.
By reporting and logging such behaviour, more reliable statistics can be gathered to create an accurate picture of the scale and location of such behaviour to help the relevant authorities address the issue.
The online reporting form can be found here.
Image Credits - Port of Aberdeen
Read all about it... nautical stories become art form for Tall Ships Races
Organisers of The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 have partnered with Clan Cancer wSupport to bring a nautically themed art trail to Europe’s largest free family event.
The Tall Ships Short Story will run alongside Clan’s public art trail planned for next summer, The BookBench Trail, which will feature BookBench sculptures across the north-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.
The Tall Ships Short Story Trail will showcase twelve specially designed BookBench sculptures in key city centre and coastal locations around Aberdeen, with the project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
You can find out more here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen City Council
Roar of approval as Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail heads for Aberdeen
Dinosaurs are set to invade the heart of Aberdeen for the October school holidays – and the arrival of the brick-built monsters has been met with a roar of approval.
Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail will be a two-week event from October 12 to 27 that will see an exciting new free family-fun trail located throughout the city centre - with free parking available in two city centre car parks.
Visitors and locals will be able to discover 18 brick dinosaur models at various city centre businesses, including a Stegosaurus, Triceratops and adorable baby dinosaurs.
Read more about this exciting coming attraction here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Cocktail Week
We’ll drink to that... Aberdeen Cocktail Week is coming back
Cheers to the return of Aberdeen Cocktail Week which has announced its third outing will take place from October 16 – 23.
It’s a fantastic event that showcases the creativity and innovation which abounds in venues across the city – and with more than 20 places taking part, cocktail fans will be spoiled for choice.
So well done to Gregor Sey, founder of Aberdeen Cocktail Week for creating such a vibrant festival to boost our city centre and its traders.
For more information visit aberdeencocktailweek.com.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts
Review: Blood Brothers brings tears and joys to His Majesty’s
Willy Russell’s ‘genius’ musical is leaving audiences laughing and crying in equal measure during its week-long run at His Majesty’s until Saturday, October 5.
Set in 1960s Liverpool the story tells the tale of the Johnstone family and two twins – Mickey and Eddie who are separated at birth. The tragic fate of the story is revealed at the outset, yet the ending still evokes emotions of shock from the audience.
It’s equally tragic, miserable and dismal as it is joyful, optimistic and positive and it’s a story that remains as relevant today as it was when it was penned by Russell more than 40 years ago.
You can read Shona Byrne’s review here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Meet The Levy Payer: Yorkshire Building Society
Sitting in the heart of Aberdeen at 355 Union Street, the Yorkshire Building Society has been helping people of the Granite City build a better future for themselves for more than half a century.
And not just assisting folk in having a place to call home or managing their money – but also supporting local charities. We caught up with branch manager Nicola Scott to find out more about her great institution, its work and plans for the future.
You can read the full interview here.