Clipper round-the-world yacht race set to return to Scotland next summer
The west coast town hosted the race for the first time in July last year, when it was estimated to have attracted thousands of visitors to the area and generated £2 million in revenue from the crews and their families alone.
The town will be hoping for a repeat of this success when the competition's 11 boats and 200 sailors arrive there in early summer 2026, during the town's international sailing festival.
The stopover will come during leg eight of the 40,000-nautical mile race, when the sailors will be tackling the 3900 nautical miles from North America to the finish line in Portsmouth.
READ MORE: Five of the best things to do in Oban as it's crowned Scottish town of the year
The announcement comes just months after Oban was named Scotland town of the year in the 2024 Scotland Loves Local awards.
Argyll and Bute council leader Jim Lynch said it was 'fantastic news' that the race will be returning to Oban next year.
'It's a huge, international event and so is a welcome opportunity to attract people to Oban, and Argyll and Bute more widely, and to bring global focus on the area as a great place to visit and invest,' he added.
Andrew Spence, chief executive of Bid4Oban, added that the event would 'showcase Scotland at its best with numerous events and activities planned'.
Last year, the crews spent 10 days in Oban, during which they visited Dunollie Castle, and took part in whisky tastings at Oban Distillery, Gaelic lessons, and a shinty taster session, as well as a trip to nearby Lismore.
Stirling-born Max Rivers, who was a skipper during the 2023-24 edition and is deputy race director in the 25-26 edition described the experience of arriving in home waters.
'The west coast of Scotland has some of the best sailing in the world, and it was an honour to share the most gorgeous parts of the nation with my global crew,' he said.
'Having grown up sailing in and around Oban, I relished the opportunity to sail there again with the Clipper Race.
'Our arrival and departure in the Firth of Lorn didn't disappoint with its amazing wind and scenery, making it truly one of the most memorable sailing locations in the world.
'And to top it off, the town was an amazing host with brilliant events and spectacular hospitality.
'Oban put on a superb stopover, and I am delighted that our next intake of international crew will get to enjoy all that the town has to offer in 2026.'
The roster for the 25/26 edition of the race includes five participants living in Scotland, and Clipper Ventures head of partnerships, Kate Ashley, said work is currently underway to include a 'Scottish named yacht' in the event.
'This partnership with Oban means we will once again see this Scottish town of the year sit alongside major international cities on our race route,' she said.
'Oban, with its rich maritime history and warm hospitality, is the perfect destination to welcome our adventurous crew after a tough ocean crossing.
'Our event brings with it a global audience and in the 30 years since the Clipper Race launched its first circumnavigation, we've seen many collaborations develop into broader partnerships which can include a team entry.
'A Scottish named yacht in our event would give brands an international platform as our fleet sails to 14 destinations around the world and we are currently working to make this a possibility.'
Other ports announced on the race so far are Portsmouth (where the race begins and ends), Cape Town, Tongyeong in Korea and Qingdao in China, with further ports due to be announced later this month.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world.
Most participants have no previous sailing experience before undertaking an intensive training course to prepare them for the race, and they can choose to complete the full 11-month circumnavigation or to test themselves on one or multiple legs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Donald Trump's new Scotland golf course is ready. How can you play it?
The way President Donald Trump told it, the new Scotland golf course the Trump Organization named in his honor and dedicated to his mother wouldn't have happened without Sean Connery. He even broke out his best Bond impression to praise the late Scottish actor at the grand opening of Trump International Golf Links on Tuesday, July 29 near Aberdeen, Scotland. "The land, they said it couldn't get zoned. It was an impossibility," Trump said at the ribbon cutting ceremony before playing the course's ceremonial opening round with his son, Eric Trump, 2002 PGA champion Rich Beem and Irish golfer Paul McGinley. "Sean Connery said, 'Let the bloody bloke build his golf course.' Once he said that, everything came into line." Connery did offer support in 2008 for what Eric Trump described Tuesday as his father's "passion project," which Trump acknowledged got off to a rocky start with its neighbors. There were environmental concerns due to the resort's intrusion on the region's sand dunes and Trump's alleged tactics trying to acquire land. But Connery cited the potential benefits to the economy when Trump's initial $1.5 billion plan, which also included hundreds of houses that have not been built yet, received approval from the Scottish government. "During tough economic times, this is a major vote of confidence in Scotland's tourist industry and our ability to rise to the challenge," Connery said, according to the Daily Express. "I look forward to seeing a new gem in the north-east that is good for Aberdeenshire and good for Scotland." The resulting 36-hole golf resort, featuring a highly-acclaimed "Old Course" built in 2012 and the new course Trump formally debuted before returning to the United States after a five-day visit to Scotland, will officially open to the public on August 13. Before that, the property is set to host PGA Legends Tour and DP World Tour events the next two weeks. It will join Trump Turnberry, which Trump bought in 2014, as Scottish golf destinations. Tee times and hotel rooms are available starting next month for what the Trump Organization has dubbed "the greatest 36 holes in golf." But it won't necessarily come cheap. Here's a breakdown of how to stay and play at Trump's newest golf course, Trump International Golf Links. How to stay at Trump's new golf course Those wanting to play golf at Trump's golf property outside Aberdeen, Scotland, can stay on property. Trump MacLeod House & Lodge Hotel is billed as a five-star Scottish baronial mansion nestled within the 1,400-acre grounds of Trump International Golf Links, which is located on the former Menie Estate of Balmedie on the Scottish North-East coast. There are 19 "lavish" guest rooms (with personal butler service available), Italian marble staircases, intimate dining and bar facilities, a separate whisky bar, a full spa, outdoor hot tub, traditional log fires and secret stairways. It's available for exclusive use, corporate events and weddings and "minutes" from the property's golf courses. A house or lodge room for the week beginning on Sunday, August 18 ‒ the earliest day rooms are available as of July 29 ‒ costs 683 Euros (about $787) or more, depending on availability and number of nights. "We had an unlimited budget and we exceeded it," Eric Trump said. "This was his (father's) Mona Lisa." There are also golf packages that include hotel stays, with options built around playing one round or two rounds on the two courses at Trump International Golf Links. The two-night version featuring two rounds of golf on the property's old and new course, which includes a two-night stay at the hotel, a welcome dinner and a dram of whisky and breakfast, costs 2,500 Euros per person (about $2,884) or 4000 Euros (about $4,615) for two people sharing a room. The package is available from August 25 until October 31, 2025, according to the property website. The one-night version, which includes one round of golf on the property's old course, a one-night stay at the hotel and a three-course dinner at The Dunes Restaurant & Bar at the golf clubhouse, costs 1,070 Euros (about $1,234) for a single occupancy room and 782.50 Euros (about $903) per person for a double occupancy room. A one-night package with just golf and hotel accommodations costs 985 Euros ($1,136) for a single occupancy room and 697.50 Euros (about $804) per person for a double occupancy room. In November and December, the costs drop to 460 Euros (about $530) per person per night. The property website also advertises a "Winter Getaway for two" package at 495 Euros (about $571). It includes a one-night stay, three-course dinner at "Trump's Restaurant & Cellar," breakfast in the morning and beauty and wellness treatments at the hotel spa. How to play at Trump International Golf Links Golfers looking to play Trump International Golf Links can get tee times on the old course, the new course or "play the greatest 36 holes in golf." Tee times are available on the new course and old course beginning on Aug. 13, with greens fees costing 495 Euros (about $571) per person. There is a combined "Greatest 36" rate as well until October 31. Tee times will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis during the first few months of play, according to the property website. There are also various levels of club membership available for an undisclosed cost. "It's going to be something special and the big question is which is going to be better if there is such a thing," Donald Trump said about the two 18-hole courses, "because we've had such great ratings on the first, I don't know if you can match them on the second, but the second should be every bit as good. The land is of equal quality right on the North Sea and it's going to be good." Golfweek ranked the property's old course No. 31 in the international courses in its 2024 rankings.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
One of world's largest offshore wind farms approved
One of the world's largest offshore wind farms has been approved by the Scottish government. The Berwick Bank project - to be positioned 23 miles off the east coast in the North Sea - could generate enough electricity to meet the annual energy needs of every household in Scotland twice over. Conservation groups had urged rejection of the scheme over its impact on seabirds in the area and called it a "very dark day for seabirds". Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the approval had been given after "extremely careful consideration". More stories from South Scotland Listen to news for the Scottish Borders on BBC Sounds Located about 23 miles (38km) from the important seabird colonies of the St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve and the Bass Rock, developers SSE Renewables want to construct up to 307 turbines. The project prompted five charities, led by RSPB Scotland, to urge ministers to reject the plans which it is predicted will kill tens of thousands of seabirds. The Scottish government said the approval was subject to the company producing a detailed seabird compensation plan outlining how any adverse impact would be tackled. That plan will need to be approved by Scottish ministers ahead of the project proceeding. Kate Forbes said: "The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland's progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy." She said it was also an important decision for the renewables sector and the government would continue to work with developers to "balance the needs of people and nature". 'Huge step forward' UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "We welcome this decision which puts us within touching distance of our offshore wind targets to deliver clean power by 2030 – boosting our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower." He said it marked a "huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good". Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the project had the potential to make a "huge contribution to the UK government's growth and clean energy missions and create clean power jobs in Scotland". He said it underlined the "massive potential" clean energy had to "generate jobs, wealth and opportunity for Scottish families". SSE Renewables said the project had the potential to create thousands of jobs and inject £8.3bn into the economy over its lifetime. Managing director Stephen Wheeler said the consent was "hugely welcome". He said the project could "rapidly scale-up Scotland's operational renewable energy capacity" and help deliver "homegrown, affordable and secure clean energy". However, Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, described it as a "very dark day for seabirds". "It is a terrible decision on a really bad development," she said. "Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland's globally important seabirds which are already facing alarming declines. "In addition, its impacts are so damaging they will make the relative impacts of other windfarms significantly higher." She said she feared the consent could "catapult some of Scotland's most-loved seabird species towards extinction". She stressed they supported offshore wind but "in the right locations". 'Deeply disappointing' The National Trust for Scotland's interim director of conservation and policy, Diarmid Hearns said the decision was "deeply disappointing". "More than that, we fear it will also be the cause of significant harm to the seabird colonies of St Abb's Head national nature reserve and elsewhere on the coastline," he added. "As we observed in our submission, the proposed mitigations by the developers fell far short of alleviating the expected impacts in terms of fatalities and disruption." He said they would be monitoring bird populations at the reserve and would report any impact. Trump attacks on wind turbines The news came just days after President Trump launched the latest in a series of attacks on the move towards using wind turbines to generate electricity. Speaking on his visit to Scotland, he said: "You fly over and you see these windmills all over the place, ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and killing your birds, and if they're stuck in the ocean, ruining your oceans. Stop the windmills." The president is a long-standing critic of turbines, having fought and lost a long battle at Holyrood and in the courts to prevent a wind power development being built in the North Sea off Aberdeen. Trump argued that the project, which included 11 wind turbines, would spoil the view from his golf course at Menie. Plea to block wind farm over thousands of forecast bird deaths How Trump's loathing for wind turbines started with a Scottish court battle Up to 110 turbines planned for site off Cape Wrath Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Donald Trump's Son Says Scottish Golf Course ‘Deserves' The Open
Eric Trump on Wednesday said he thinks his father, President Donald Trump, 'deserves' to have his Scottish golf course Turnberry host The Open Championship and said he thinks politics are the only reason it hasn't happened. President Donald Trump reacts as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry Golf Course on July 27, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Eric Trump told BBC Sport "there's no one that has been better for the game of golf" than his father and both the course and the president "deserve" to have the storied tournament at Turnberry. He said thinks Trump's passion for the game "will be rewarded" with another chance to host The Open, though it won't be until he is no longer president. The course, which Trump bought in 2014 for some $60 million and renamed Trump Turnberry, is famous for its history of hosting Open Championships, but hasn't been the site of the tournament since 2009. The head of The R&A, the global governing body of golf, in 2021 said The Open would not be held at Turnberry again while Trump is associated with the venue, but last year a new CEO said the organization was "doing some feasibility work" around a potential return. Mark Darbon, chief of the R&A, has said work needs to be done on nearby road, rail and accommodation infrastructure before Turnberry could host The Open again, but Trump said Wednesday, "You could host the Open Championship on that course tomorrow' calling it 'impeccable." Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here : "I think the elephant in the room was, frankly, politics, for a very long time," Eric Trump said when asked why Turnberry had been snubbed as host for The Open in recent years. Key Background Trump visited Scotland last week to open a new golf course in Aberdeenshire, on Scotland's east coast. While there, he hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Turnberry, where they discussed tariffs and the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Starmer called the venue "absolutely magnificent both inside and out." Turnberry, which is more than 100 years old, is one of 10 courses on the rotation to host the Open Championship. Turnberry's first time hosting The Open ended in a famous battle between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977 that became known as "Duel in the Sun." It also hosted the event in 1986, 1996 and 2009. Turberry was on track to host in 2020 but ultimately wasn't chosen after Trump announced his bid for the presidency. $200 million. That's how much the Trump organization has spent to renovate the property, but Trump Turnberry has reportedly struggled to turn a profit since his company purchased it in 2014. Turnberry lost $1.7 million in the 2023 fiscal year. But Eric Trump on Wednesday said: "Here's the good news. We don't give a damn, right. This is our Mona Lisa. If we spent $100 million and never got a penny back, it doesn't make any difference. We wanted to do something incredible." Tangent When Trump stays at his own properties, the government pays those properties to house members of the president's security detail and White House staff. In 2018, Trump stayed at Turnberry for two nights during a visit to Scotland and played two rounds of golf before departing for the Helsinki Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That trip cost taxpayers almost $1 million, according to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, including $68,000 in expenses paid directly to Trump Turnberry. The expenditures, paid for by the State Department, were labeled "hotel rooms." The State Department spent another $13,000 at Turnberry between November 2016 through May 2017, ABC News reported. Further Reading Forbes Trump Has Spent About One-Third Of His Presidency Visiting His Own Properties By Dan Alexander Forbes What We Know About 'Golf Force One'—Latest Addition To Trump's Presidential Fleet By Conor Murray Forbes Trump Golfs In Scotland Amid Protests And Epstein Files Backlash (Photos) By Antonio Pequeño IV
