The countdown is on as a new festival celebrating Aberdeen’s maritime heritage and future drops anchor next week.
The Festival of the Sea will be a two-week celebration from 15-28 July exploring Aberdeen’s relationship with the sea and coastline through a wide range of events across the city.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “Our rich maritime past has been an important factor in shaping the Aberdeen of today, and also in our thinking towards the future.
“The great events taking place throughout the Festival of the Sea will enable all ages to come together to learn about the city’s maritime history.”
Councillor Martin Greig, culture spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, said: “Visitors and locals alike can dive into a range of sea-themed activities and events taking place at venues across the city, from Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums to community spaces, Aberdeen Science Centre, The Arts Centre, Aberdeen Sports Village and the Beach Ballroom.”
Life-sized inflatable whale with a storytelling centre inside
The Festival will include Stories of the Sea, a free family fun weekend in Union Terrace Gardens on 20 and 21 July.
Those attending can enjoy a life size inflatable whale with a storytelling centre inside, a one-man desert island comedy performance featuring a giant crab, and a selfie-loving mermaid!
Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums will feature the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, as well as maritime trails and fun creative sessions and workshops.
A host of events will also take place in Fittie and Torry, coordinated by Open Road, which will celebrate both communities’ close relationship with the sea through exhibitions, film showings, arts, crafts, nature walks and more.
Lesley Anne, Creative Director of Open Road, said: "As a harbour-based organisation, Open Road is delighted to have created the community programme for Aberdeen’s first Festival of the Sea. We’ve worked with community groups, artists, cultural and heritage organisations and many more to present a programme across Fittie and Torry, offering something for everyone to enjoy."
With the Festival also marking one year until The Tall Ships Races arrive in Aberdeen from 19-22 July 2025, three Tall Ships will visit Port of Aberdeen over the two-week Festival.
Reaper
The tall ship Swan will dock in the port's North Harbour, with her crew taking young people aged 15 to 25 out on sail training sessions.
The TS Royalist, the Sea Cadet’s flagship, and sailing ship Reaper, visiting from the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, will also visit the port.
The Reaper, which was built near Fraserburgh in 1902 and featured in several film and television programmes, including the hit series Outlander, will be available for visitors to board on 19 and 20 July.
To find out more about the Festival of the Sea and to view the programme of events, visit the Aberdeen City Council website.
