Latest news with #TheRoyalYachtBritanniaTrust
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Britannia's new exhibition and retail experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust's legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Situated on the second floor of Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh's Port of Leith, the newly developed visitor experience has been designed to enhance the sense of arrival for around 350,000 annual visitors to Queen Elizabeth II's former Royal Yacht. Two years in development, the visitor centre and retail experience proudly incorporate the latest in advanced technology with hand-crafted furniture and fittings made by British manufacturers, including traditional Leith-based sign-writer Thomas Paints. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Designed by 442 Design, with collaboration from the Royal Collection Trust, author/historian Richard Johnstone-Bryden, and former Royal Yachtsmen, the highly engaging exhibition tells the story of Britannia's launch from John Brown & Company Shipyard in Clydebank in 1953, to the ship's new life as a five-star visitor attraction in Leith, voted Tripadvisor's No.1 Attraction 2023-2024. Conall Burns (Sales Assistant) unwraps The No.1 Dress Uniform of Rear Admiral Sir Robert Woodard KCVO DL, Britannia's last Admiral, for display. Highlights of the new exhibition include: The No.1 uniform of Prince Philip, previously gifted to The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust by Queen Elizabeth II The original ornate Binnacle (compass) embellished with gold leaf A cascade of historical photographs storytelling life on board the Royal Yacht Plus, an attention-grabbing 11-foot LEGO Britannia model with its very own Lego Yachtsmen Benefitting from the ongoing redevelopment of Ocean Terminal, Britannia's new retail experience is 338 square metres, considerably larger than the last. In response, several new and exciting product lines have been created by Director of Retail, Kerry Burns and her team, including a range of fine bone china called the 'Admiral's Collection', inspired by the gold rings insignia worn on the cuffs by Admirals in the Royal Navy. Plus, a new limited-edition whisky – 301 bottles of a 16-year-old Glen Moray single cask commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's final disembarkation at 3.01pm on 11 December 1997. The new retail experience also boasts a new addition to the Britannia family – a giant 5-foot-high cuddly corgi! Yet to be named, the enormous Instagrammable plush was manufactured in the UK and will be a fuzzy focal point of the new shop for visitors to enjoy. Chief Executive Franck Bruyère said: 'This is a momentous event for The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust and I'm incredibly proud of the enormous collaborative effort behind the project and the Britannia team who have been integral in ensuring our new space is world-class and enhances our existing five-star visitor experience. An additional bonus for us is this month marks the anniversary of Britannia arriving in Leith to start her new life as a visitor attraction 27 years ago in 1998.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Bruyere added: 'It has been a pleasure working closely with the Royal Collection Trust to source never-before-seen images of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip relaxing and enjoying life at sea on board this iconic ship.' Director of Visitor Experience, Robert Gill, who led the project on behalf of the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust commented: 'Through this new exhibition we can amplify the history and heritage of this iconic vessel and spark imaginations before our visitors step on board the Yacht itself. Exhibition designers, 442 Design, have told Britannia's story so magnificently, and specialist interior fit-out company, Hugh Stirling Ltd, have brought our vision to life. We are so proud of the final result.' Spring also brings a new delivery to The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust's fleet of vintage cars; The British Motor Museum have loaned the original 1966 Land Rover used by Queen Elizabeth II for rural transport and Royal pursuits. Used by the Royal Family for 17 years, the classic green station wagon is on display alongside the Rolls-Royce in recognition of the vehicles Britannia used to carry on board when in Royal Service. The Royal Yacht Britannia is easily accessible from the Ocean Terminal tram stop, which offers a direct and quick transport link between Leith, Edinburgh city centre and Edinburgh Airport. Open 7 days a week, 9.30pm-6pm, with last admission at 4pm.
The Herald Scotland
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Royal Yacht Britannia's new visitor centre ready to welcome visitors
Two years in development, the visitor centre and retail experience "incorporate the latest in advanced technology" with hand-crafted furniture and fittings. Designed by 442 Design, with collaboration from the Royal Collection Trust, author/historian Richard Johnstone-Bryden, and former Royal Yachtsmen, the "highly engaging" exhibition tells the story of Britannia's launch from John Brown & Company Shipyard in Clydebank in 1953, to the ship's new life as a five-star visitor attraction in Leith, voted Tripadvisor's No.1 Attraction 2023-2024. READ MORE: Major Scottish industry heading for 'choppier waters' Housebuilder acquires land for 99 new homes overlooking city park Scottish city shopping park brought to market for sale Highlights of the new exhibition include: the No.1 uniform of Prince Philip, previously gifted to The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust by Queen Elizabeth II; a cascade of historical photographs storytelling life on board the Royal Yacht; and a 11-foot-long LEGO Britannia model. Several new and exciting product lines have been created by Director of Retail, Kerry Burns and her team, including a range of fine bone china called the 'Admiral's Collection', inspired by the gold rings insignia worn on the cuffs by Admirals in the Royal Navy. Chief Executive Franck Bruyère said: 'This is a momentous event for The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust and I'm incredibly proud of the enormous collaborative effort behind the project and the Britannia team who have been integral in ensuring our new space is world-class and enhances our existing five-star visitor experience. "An additional bonus for us is this month marks the anniversary of Britannia arriving in Leith to start her new life as a visitor attraction 27 years ago in 1998.' The Royal Yacht Britannia Mr Bruyere added: 'It has been a pleasure working closely with the Royal Collection Trust to source never-before-seen images of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip relaxing and enjoying life at sea on board this iconic ship.' Director of Visitor Experience, Robert Gill, who led the project on behalf of the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, commented: 'Through this new exhibition we can amplify the history and heritage of this iconic vessel and spark imaginations before our visitors step on board the Yacht itself. Exhibition designers, 442 Design, have told Britannia's story so magnificently, and specialist interior fit-out company, Hugh Stirling Ltd, have brought our vision to life. We are so proud of the final result.' Spring also brings a new delivery to The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust's fleet of vintage cars; The British Motor Museum have loaned the original 1966 Land Rover used by Queen Elizabeth II for rural transport and Royal pursuits. Used by the Royal Family for 17 years, the classic green station wagon is on display alongside the Rolls-Royce in recognition of the vehicles Britannia used to carry on board when in Royal Service.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former royal yacht rescued by lifeboat crew
A 1930s yacht that was used to teach King Charles III how to sail was rescued by a lifeboat crew after taking on water. Caister Lifeboat was called by HM Coastguard to attend to a 63ft (19.2 metre) vessel near Bacton, Norfolk, on Sunday. The yacht, called Bloodhound, was built for US huntsman Isaac Bell in 1936 and was bought by Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1962. Paul Garrod, the chairman of Caister Lifeboat, said: "We found out she was a very, very historic yacht. It was a great job for Caister Lifeboat." The former racing yacht had been sailing from Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland, to the south coast for sea trials. Mr Garrod said the boat was towed to Great Yarmouth, where its crew was put up in a hotel overnight. However, the skipper chose to stay on-board the yacht during the night. Mr Garrod said: "[The Bloodhound] is a lovely looking yacht, beautiful and well maintained... she is the most beautiful thing I ever did see." He said it was "great" to have been involved with the rescue of such a historic boat. The boat was bought by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust in 2010 and has been berthed in Edinburgh as a tourist attraction. It was previously used by the Royal Family on holidays in the Western Isles and was used by King Charles and Princess Anne to learn how to sail. The Royal Britannia Trust said Bloodhound is one of the most successful ocean racing yachts and competed across the Atlantic, including sailing to Bermuda. Franck Bruyere, the chief executive of The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, said while the boat was previously used for racing it had not been entered into a competition for decades. He said: "Bloodhound is safe. She has been receiving a lot of good care from the crew and the crew is very experienced. "Pleased to report that at the moment, conditional to further sea trails, the intention is for Bloodhound to sail further down south this evening [Tuesday]." The boat, which has been used for grassroots sailing, will eventually continue its journey for it to be restored. "She used to race... she used to sail around. For us there is nothing better than bringing her back to her former glory," he said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Princess Royal in first visit since Philip's death Caister Lifeboat The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust
BBC News
09-04-2025
- BBC News
Former royal yacht rescued by Caister lifeboat crew
A 1930s yacht that was used to teach King Charles III how to sail was rescued by a lifeboat crew after taking on water. Caister Lifeboat was called by HM Coastguard to attend to a 63ft (19.2 metre) vessel near Bacton, Norfolk, on Sunday. The yacht, called Bloodhound, was built for US huntsman Isaac Bell in 1936 and was bought by Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Garrod, the chairman of Caister Lifeboat, said: "We found out she was a very, very historic yacht. It was a great job for Caister Lifeboat." The former racing yacht had been sailing from Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland, to the south coast for sea trials. Mr Garrod said the boat was towed to Great Yarmouth, where its crew was put up in a hotel overnight. However, the skipper chose to stay on-board the yacht during the night. Mr Garrod said: "[The Bloodhound] is a lovely looking yacht, beautiful and well maintained... she is the most beautiful thing I ever did see." He said it was "great" to have been involved with the rescue of such a historic boat was bought by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust in 2010 and has been berthed in Edinburgh as a tourist attraction. It was previously used by the Royal Family on holidays in the Western Isles and was used by King Charles and Princess Anne to learn how to sail. The Royal Britannia Trust said Bloodhound is one of the most successful ocean racing yachts and competed across the Atlantic, including sailing to Bermuda. Franck Bruyere, the chief executive of The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, said while the boat was previously used for racing it had not been entered into a competition for decades. He said: "Bloodhound is safe. She has been receiving a lot of good care from the crew and the crew is very experienced."Pleased to report that at the moment, conditional to further sea trails, the intention is for Bloodhound to sail further down south this evening [Tuesday]." The boat, which has been used for grassroots sailing, will eventually continue its journey for it to be restored. "She used to race... she used to sail around. For us there is nothing better than bringing her back to her former glory," he said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
