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BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tall Ships Aberdeen: Crews say fond farewell to Granite City
Crews have been saying a fond farewell to Aberdeen after the spectacular Tall Ships event in the city attracted hundreds of thousands of event - described as Scotland's biggest tourist event this year - began on Saturday, featuring almost 50 majestic vessels from around the ships left on Tuesday with many excited new, young crew members for the onward journey to believe there may have been at least 400,000 people at the Tall Ships - and hope the event can return in the "not too distant" future. The long weekend of celebrations in Aberdeen included a display by the Red Arrows on Monday night. Thousands of people witnessed the mid-air spectacular, despite some views being clouded by fog. However the sun came out for the final day, as visitors returned to wave the ships were cries of "Bon Voyage" and "hip hip hooray" from the crowds. The races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young new crew members joined the boats for the next leg of the Tall Ships races over to them were Aberdeen girls Mya , Katherine, Mia, who are all 15, and 16-year-old are on board the Netherlands tall ship Eendracht for nine days, with mentor Toby Maddams from Peterhead."I'm really looking forward to sailing for the first time," Mya told BBC Scotland News on the deck, before departing."It's a really good new experience."Freya said: "I am looking forward to going to Norway with my new friends, it should be fun. This is my first time sailing. Everyone has been so nice on the boat."I'm nervous about sleeping, and sea-sickness."They joked that mentor Toby would be their "boat mum". 'It has been awe-inspiring' Adrian Watson from Aberdeen Inspired - a business organisation which promotes investment in the city centre - said the Tall Ships event had exceeded all expectations."To see hundreds of thousands descend upon our wonderful city has been so impressive ," he told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland."We feel confident that we will be on or around 400,000-plus."It has been awe-inspiring, and it's meant so much to the people of Aberdeen." He said the major Union Square shopping centre had broken its footfall records at the footfall numbers on Saturday were 78,685 and on Sunday it was 61,682."Most large towns and cities are going through a very difficult time - this has been such a success," Mr Watson said."We'd be very keen to see them come back." Deacon Blue had kicked off the event on Friday night with a harbourside main Tall Ships event then opened to the public on Saturday morning, followed a Ministry of Sound classical concert in the saw crews parade through the streets, and Monday featured a Kaiser Chiefs gig at night. Tall Ships Aberdeen was billed as Europe's largest free family event, with almost 50 ships taking 2,000 international crew members attended from as far afield as Uruguay and had previously hosted the prestigious event in 1991 and 1997.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tall Ships Aberdeen: Four-day event making city 'proud'
Hosting the Tall Ships Races is making Aberdeen "proud", organisers have four-day event - described as Scotland's biggest tourist event this year - began on Saturday, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to see the dozens of majestic vessels from around the is the last full day, before Tuesday sees the Parade of Sail as the vessels leave port, heading for Greig, chairman of the Aberdeen Tall Ships organising committee, said: "It has been inspiring to see the passion and fun shared by residents and visitors. This event lifts the spirits and makes you proud of what we can achieve together." Deacon Blue kicked off the event on Friday night with a harbourside gig. The main Tall Ships event then opened to the public on Saturday morning, followed a classical concert in the evening. Sunday saw the Tall Ships Races crews parade through city streets. On Monday, local chef Kevin Dalgleish was on board one of the ships, teaching young cadets how to cook. They used local shellfish to put together a lunch at sea. "I'm hugely passionate about nurturing young talent and helping to bring up the next generation of world-class chefs," he said. "So to be able to teach these young cadets some cooking skills aboard the TS Royalist feels like the perfect fit."He added: "Tall Ships has been a hugely anticipated event for the city and the region, and is really helping to establish Aberdeenshire as a top travel destination." Rock band Kaiser Chiefs will play a gig on Monday Ships Aberdeen is billed as Europe's largest free family event, with almost 50 ships taking 2,000 international crew members are attending from as far afield as Uruguay and Oman. The races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people in the art of ships are berthed in Waterloo Quay, Regent Quay, Trinity Quay, Upper Quay, Jamieson's Quay and Blaikies Quay. Full details of where each ship is can be found here. You can keep up to date with the latest BBC weather forecast here.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tall Ships Aberdeen: 'Party city' event gets under sail
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen - labelled the biggest tourist event in Scotland this year - gets fully under sail on of thousands of people are expected to attend, to see dozens of impressive vessels from around the band Deacon Blue played a harbourside gig on Friday night as part of the warm-up for the four days before things get officially under way at the there is a Met Office Yellow warning for heavy rain in Aberdeen from Saturday afternoon until Sunday. The city council said it would issue updates if there was any impact on the event as a will be turned into a "party city", according to the runs until Tuesday, when the ships will then sail on to Norway. The Granite City previously hosted the tall ships in 1991 and and Lerwick are among other Scottish towns to have featured in the event's history, which dates back to the 1970s. The event is billed as Europe's largest free family 50 ships have been confirmed as taking part in will be about 2,000 international crew members taking part, from as far afield as Uruguay and of volunteers have been recruited to help at the event, which is expected to attract about "400,000 visits" - an estimate which includes repeat races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people in the art of sailing. What ships are taking part? The vessels are divided into four classes, ranging from large sailing ships to smaller single-masted Mlodziezy, from Poland, is the tallest at 62.5m (205ft) in 1982, she made her Tall Ships debut in the same name means "the gift of youth". The BAP Union is the furthest travelled, having come to Aberdeen from Union's sailing distance from Callao to Aberdeen is about 7,500 nautical miles (13,890km). The skipper of Norwegian vessel Sorlandet, Captain Tore Skjelbred-Knudsen, is looking forward to the event."It's a gathering of these ships, it's a beautiful sight, it's maritime history, we can show that to the people of Aberdeen," he told BBC Scotland News."But most of all it's for the young people joining the ships, it's changing their lives."He added: "As a former student at the University of Aberdeen, I have been truly looking forward to visiting again. "Even if it is a couple of decades ago, I vividly remember the charm, the friendly people, the vast culture, and all the friends I made during my time there." Emma Wadee, Aberdeen City Council's Tall Ships Project Manager, said: "We hope people will turn out in their thousands again to enjoy everything on offer at The Tall Ships Races and help turn the Granite City into party city from morning to night. "We know how much the people of Aberdeen love to party - we saw that during the Dons' Scottish Cup victory parade." Where is the best place to view Tall Ships Aberdeen? The ships will be berthed in Waterloo Quay, Regent Quay, Trinity Quay, Upper Quay, Jamieson's Quay and Blaikies Quay. Full details of where each ship will be can be found here. The main entrance to the harbour area will be via Marischal Street. Many of the ships will be open to visitors during their time in Aberdeen. What other entertainment is there at Tall Ships Aberdeen? Following on from Deacon Blue on Friday night, other gigs will include Kaiser attractions will include free live music, and street food from the main names, other acts include Tide Lines, Calum Bowie, Glasvegas, Brooke Combe, Little Kicks, Capollos and Look Busy Collective. The event organisers say there will also be a "vibrant" line-up of live music, including Scottish trad, jazz, Afrobeat, hip hop, and Latin line-up also features local choirs as well as youth children will be catered for with attractions at a family zone at Blaikie's Quay, including a giant can also get their picture taken with Tall Ships Aberdeen mascot, Dorry the Dolphin, during the festival. What will Tall Ships Aberdeen travel be like? Aberdeen city centre is expected to be very busy with tens of thousands of spectators each day. The organisers are recommending that people use public transport or car share if coming into Aberdeen, and that those staying locally could walk or regular Park and Ride services will be in operation from Bridge of Don, Craibstone, P&J Live, and closures and parking restrictions will be place on streets around Aberdeen harbour during the course of the event. Castle Street, King Street, Marischal Street, Regent Quay, Blaikies Quay and Regent Road are among those affected. Pocra Quay and New Pier Road in Footdee are open to business and resident access only. You can keep up to date with the latest BBC weather forecast here.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tall Ships Races Aberdeen: Everything you need to know
The final countdown is on for the start of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen, which organisers predict will be the biggest tourist event in Scotland this of thousands of people are expected to watch as dozens of vessels from around the world take part. Aberdeen previously hosted the prestigious event in 1991 and races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people in the art of sailing. When is the Tall Ships Races and how many vessels are taking part? The event - which is billed as Europe's largest free family event - will run from Saturday 19 July until Tuesday 22 July. Almost 50 ships have been confirmed as taking part in the four-day extravaganza. The vessels are divided into four classes, ranging from large sailing ships to smaller single-masted are expected to start arriving in Aberdeen on Friday, having competed against each other on the journey from France, before the public event begins properly on will then remain in the Granite City until Tuesday, when they will sail on to Norway. Where is the best place to see the tall ships in Aberdeen? The ships will be berthed in Waterloo Quay, Regent Quay, Trinity Quay, Upper Quay, Jamieson's Quay and Blaikies Quay. Full details of where each ship will be can be found here. The main entrance to the harbour area will be via Marischal Street. Many of the ships will be open to visitors during their time in Aberdeen. Which is the tallest tall ship taking part? Tall ship Dar Mlodziezy, from Poland, is 62.5m (205ft) name means "the gift of youth".Dar Mlodziezy was built in 1982, and made her Tall Ships debut in the same year. Which tall ship is sailing the furthest? The BAP Union is coming to Aberdeen from Union's sailing distance from Callao to Aberdeen is about 7,500 nautical miles (13,890km).As well as being the longest traveller, BAP Union is also the newest tall ship taking part, having been built in the other end of the scale, Christiania is 130 years old, having been built in 1895 - 120 years earlier than BAP Union. How many people will be involved in Aberdeen? Hundreds of volunteers have been recruited to help stage the event, which is expected to attract about "400,000 visits" - an estimate which includes repeat will be about 2,000 international crew members taking part, from as far afield as Uruguay and Oman. What other entertainment will there be? Aberdeen will be turned into a "party city", according to the event's by Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs are already sold out, as is a Ministry of Sound Classical attractions will include free live music, and street food from the main names, other acts include Tide Lines, Calum Bowie, Glasvegas, Brooke Combe, Little Kicks, Capollos and Look Busy Collective. The event organisers say there will also be a "vibrant" line-up of live music, including Scottish trad, jazz, Afrobeat, hip hop, and Latin line-up also features local choirs as well as youth children will be catered for with attractions at a family zone at Blaikie's Quay, including a giant can also get their picture taken with Tall Ships Aberdeen mascot, Dorry the Dolphin, during the festival. What is the best way to travel to Tall Ships Aberdeen and will there be road closures? Aberdeen city centre is expected to be extremely busy with thousands of spectators each day. The organisers are recommending that spectators use public transport or car share if coming into Aberdeen, and that those staying locally could walk or regular Park and Ride services will be in operation from Bridge of Don, Craibstone, P&J Live, and closures and parking restrictions will be place on streets around Aberdeen harbour during the course of the event. Castle Street, King Street, Marischal Street, Regent Quay, Blaikies Quay and Regent Road are among those affected. Pocra Quay and New Pier Road in Footdee are open to business and resident access only. What have local children been doing to prepare? P4 children at Hazlehead Primary have been among the Aberdeen school pupils studying Tall Remy said: "I am so excited about the Tall Ships."I've been learning about the boats, they all have big sails." Kayla, nine, added: "We've been learning about the Bermuda Triangle and the Titanic."I think it would be cold to sail in the sea, and smell a bit fishy and salty." What's the weather forecast for the weekend? The current forecast for Saturday is 19C and dry. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are also expected to be warm but there could well be rain can keep up to date with the latest BBC weather forecast here.
