The journey towards The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has begun as a call for volunteers, Sail Trainees, sponsors, and more was launched today (21 July 2023).
The public and businesses are invited to register their interest in supporting the four-day celebration on 19 – 22 July 2025, at www.tallshipsaberdeen.com:
- Become a Sail Trainee: The Tall Ships Races offer life-changing opportunities for people aged 15 and 24 to experience life upon a ship.
- Volunteer: A variety of rewarding roles will be available and could include way finding, information points, meet and greet, and stage and site management support.
- Sponsor: Sponsors will play a crucial role in making Aberdeen's event a success and help young sail trainees from the city to partake in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Commercial trading: A wealth of commercial opportunities will be open to local businesses, spanning from pop-up retail to food sales and much more.
- Cultural programme: The four-day cultural extravaganza surrounding The Tall Ships Races offers ample opportunities for performers, musicians, artists and more to get involved.
- Hospitality: Experience an unparalleled location for a corporate function, staff party, or family gathering on the deck of a Tall Ship.
The launch coincided with three Tall Ships visiting Port of Aberdeen this weekend as they journey to The Tall Ships Races Lerwick 2023.
Launched in 2017, Bima Suci is the Indonesian Navy’s newest, and largest, sail training ship. The Atlantica, renowned for her distinctive sleek design and rich history, is a Swedish sail training vessel that has seen countless voyages around the globe since 1982. Accompanying her is the grand Statsraad Lehmkuhl, a stunning three-masted barque built in 1914 and hailing from Norway.
400 lucky locals snapped up free tickets to board the Lehmkuhl on Saturday afternoon for an up-close encounter with the ship's rich history and taste of authentic Norwegian hospitality.
Two local Sail Trainees, Becca Owen and Megan Downie, have joined the crew of the Atlantica for the competitive race leg sailing from Aberdeen to Lerwick, Arendal, and Gothenburg. Both Becca and Megan are enthusiastic sailors, with Becca experiencing the Sail Trainee life on board the Swan during The Tall Ships Races 2022, and Megan completed a five-day Tall Ships residential and watch leader training. Their participation is made possible by Port of Aberdeen, through Sail Training Shetland.
A comprehensive social programme is in place for the Tall Ships' crew and trainees, including access to Aberdeen's cultural and heritage attractions.
Recognised as Europe's largest free family event, The Tall Ships Races has previously visited Aberdeen in 1991 and 1997, sparking city-wide pride. In 2025, the event is anticipated to attract 400,000 visits from 19 to 22 July.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron, said: “The arrival of the Atlantica, Bima Suci and Statsraad Lehmkul at Port of Aberdeen this weekend is a great curtain raiser for the Tall Ships Races returning to Aberdeen in 2025. These beautiful vessels also form a wonderful backdrop for today’s call for volunteers, sponsors and more, who will be the lifeblood of the event.
“The news that the Tall Ships are coming back has already given the city a major boost. As ever, I am sure local people will respond enthusiastically to the berthing of these three beautiful vessels in our port.”
Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive, Port of Aberdeen, said: “We're incredibly excited to be embarking on the journey towards The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025. The races embody a spirit of community and adventure, and we can’t wait for the city of Aberdeen to experience this unique maritime celebration once again.
“We encourage local businesses, community groups, and individuals to get involved, whether through sponsorship, volunteering, or participating as Sail Trainees. Each contribution plays a crucial part in making this event a memorable success, and in offering our young sailors a truly transformative experience.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of city centre BID Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It’s great to see the plans for the Tall Ships 2025 gathering pace and even with two years to go, there are already some fantastic opportunities for local young people, volunteers, businesses, artists and performers to get involved in what will be another spectacle for Aberdeen.
“We can’t underestimate the impact the Tall Ships has on our city, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Aberdeen to join local residents soaking up the vibrant atmosphere on the quayside as well as spending time in our shops, hospitality venues and hotels.”
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 bid partners – Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Port of Aberdeen – thank their website sponsor, Aspect, and video production sponsor, Signal, for their support.
