Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025
The Tall Ships Race is coming to town, and it’s going to be an event that will attract tourists from all over the world. It will host lovers of adventure and folk just curious to see what’s going on, as this will be the biggest carnival in town. You couldn’t have much more of a spirit of adventure than to sail around the world, in a race, at close quarters with a small crew, in a sailing boat. On the other hand, with over 400, 000 visitors expected over the 4 days, it couldn’t be a bigger attraction for locals and visitors alike. I simply HAD to get involved, to see what it was all about!
It’s really happening! The Tall Ships really are coming to Aberdeen this year, they’ll will be here from 19th – 22nd July, and it’s going to be a phenomenal few days. Last week the volunteers met at Pittodrie Stadium for the first time, to find out more about everything that’s happening over the four days, get to know each other, why it was we volunteered, and find out more about our roles.
Of course, the Tall Ships festival is no stranger to the Granite City, having hosted it in 1991, and again in 1997, but this time it will be bigger and better than ever, with over 400, 000 anticipated visitors coming to see the 50 plus ships, 60 international market stalls, 4 headline concerts and displays by the Red Arrows to name just a few of the attractions.
It was great to speak to the other volunteers at the training night on 6 May, to hear their stories. Why did they want to get involved? And where did they come from? In the spirit of a truly international event, there were volunteers from all over the world, including South Africa, and Mexico, but most right on our own doorstep here in the Granite City and the surrounding area.
Volunteers meet for the first time at the Pittodrie Stadium to find out more about what’s involved in the role. A great time was had by all!
Likewise, there were a whole variety of reasons for wanting to get involved. Some wanted to be part of the biggest party that will happen in Aberdeen for a long time to come. Others wanted experience in working at the sharp end of the media, or hospitality. One woman I spoke to hoped to make contact with international crews who could help her in her quest to complete a round the world sailing trip on a tall ship. What better place to do your networking? For myself, I hope to gain experience in visitor hosting, showing visitors round Aberdeen, highlighting the ‘must see’ attractions that any tourist should visit on a short stay in the city. I am applying to become a registered tour guide for North East Scotland, and this experience will be absolutely invaluable for that end.
It’s going to be the biggest event Aberdeen will have seen in a long time, and is likely to see for quite some time in the future. Sailors, on-shore participants such as market stall traders, volunteers and visitors will all have their own story to tell about why they got involved, why they visited, and what they hope to take away from it. Let’s make it a truly memorable event!
