Tall Ships dock in Aberdeen as an appeal for volunteers launched

Vessels from around the world are making their way to Shetland for next week’s Tall Ships races.

Indonesian and Swedish ships en route to Lerwick arrived in the city’s harbour on Friday morning.

But attention is already turning to the event, which will be staged in Aberdeen in two years’ time, with an appeal for volunteers launched.

The Tall Ships Race will visit Aberdeen for four days in 2025 as part of the international sailing competition, with the ships docking in the city from July 19–22 following a 430-nautical-mile trip from Dunkirk.

An audience of half a million people from around the world is expected while the event is in the Granite city.

Visitors can look forward to seeing between 30 and 50 magnificent sailing vessels, visiting a temporary nautical-themed village, a crew parade down Union Street, parties, a light show, and departure celebrations.

Aberdeen previously hosted the hugely popular event in 1991 and 1997.

“It was a huge success for the city, so we wanted to bring that back,” explained Roulè Wood from Aberdeen Inspired.

“We feel that this gives Aberdeen an opportunity to put itself on the map for future major events, and it creates an opportunity for civic pride.

“The economic return is undeniable, as we’ve seen in cities around the world.”

The launch of the appeal for volunteers coincided with two Tall Ships visiting Aberdeen on Friday, with an additional vessel from Norway arriving on Saturday.

Commander Muhammad Sati Lubis, captain of Bima Suci, the Indonesian Navy’s newest and largest sail training ship, encouraged visitors to come aboard.

“We have opened our ship to Aberdeen citizens and also the Indonesian diaspora. Please come and feel free to visit our ship every day. From Saturday morning until night, we will perform our Indonesian dance.”