From left to right: Iain MacDonald, Aberdeen City Council; Scott Begbie, PR & Communications Manager, Aberdeen Inspired; Councillor Martin Greig, Culture Spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council; Emma Wadee, Project Manager Tall Ships Aberdeen; Roddy James, Chief Commercial Officer, Port of Aberdeen.
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has honoured as Scotland’s best large festival in the prestigious Scottish Event Awards and Best Brand Activation alongside Tweleve01 Events Ltd.
It won the accolade for a festival with more than 5,000 attendees in a glittering ceremony held last night in the Glasgow Science Centre and also scooped the award for Best Brand Activation.
The honours have delighted the host partners for the Tall Ships Races last July – Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Port of Aberdeen.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Everyone in the Granite City should take great pride in The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 winning these outstanding awards in this celebration of excellence and innovation for Scottish events.
“It is a testament to the Team Aberdeen spirit which made the Tall Ships such an unforgettable and transformative experience. We saw everyone - from partners and stakeholders to city businesses and the people of Aberdeen - come together to create a world-class event that not only boosted our local economy but re-energised the whole city.”
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has honoured as Scotland’s best large festival in the prestigious Scottish Event Awards, held annually by EVENTIT, in Glasgow.
Julie Wood, Aberdeen City Council’s Chief Officer for City Development and Regeneration, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won awards in two different categories, which recognises the huge success of last year’s Tall Ships Races.
“From the achievements of our sail trainees, to recognising those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, the Tall Ships Races brought our communities together and continue to showcase Aberdeen on an international stage.”
Bob Sanguinetti DL, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “This national awards success is well deserved for Team Aberdeen. Stakeholders from across the region spent years planning an incredible four days that will be remembered for generations to come.”
The awards were presented during the Scottish Event Awards, held annually by EVENTIT, in Glasgow.
Tall Ships Aberdeen also won a Regional Contribution award at the Northern Star Business Awards in April, recognising the global spotlight which shone on the city. Hotels, restaurants and local businesses saw a surge in trade, as the city centre was transformed into a vibrant hub of activity.
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has honoured as Best Brand Activation alongside Tweleve01 Events Ltd.
This win follows Aberdeen winning the Sultan Qaboos Sailing Trophy in Muscat, Oman, in December 2025 for outstanding services to young people in sail training.
Aberdeen also won the Host Port Trophy in January, awarded to the port that made it possible for the greatest number of young people to participate in the Tall Ships Races, with 244 joining as sail trainees from the North East.
Aberdeen welcomed the Tall Ships Races from 19 to 22 July 2025, attracting almost, 500,000 visits to the event and generating more than £32million for the regional economy during the four day celebration.
The Races saw 50 vessels visit the city, as well as a packed programme of events, including the sell-out Quayside Concert series, Curated on the Quayside, and a display from the Red Arrows.