Visit Scotland | Alba

Looking for advice and support to start, improve, grow, or promote your business? View our new Business Support Hub.

Go to our Business Support Hub
Article published 11/04/2025

Thursday 10 April marked 100 days to go until the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen arrive in the granite city.

To celebrate the occasion, it was announced that the Red Arrows will be taking part in the spectacular event along with The Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland.

The band will provide the fanfare at the event’s opening ceremony and join the crew parade through the heart of the city on Sunday 20 July.

 The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 is being organised and brought to the city by Aberdeen City Council, Port of Aberdeen, and Aberdeen Inspired. It is funded by the UK Government and supported through our EventScotland International Events Funding Programme.

A thrilling aerial display

The world-famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team will stage a thrilling aerial display of precision teamwork, colourful flypasts, and thunderous spectacle in the skies above the harbour where more than 50 beautiful vessels will be berthed.

The 22-minute show, currently being polished before the Red Arrows start their 61st season, will take place on Monday 21 July. This is the day before the tall ships leave Aberdeen Harbour for a parade of sail. They will then start the next leg of the race to Kristiansand in Norway.

The prestige and tradition of the Armed Forces will be complemented by the presence of a military village at Union Terrace Gardens during the event. This will see the army, navy, and air force all taking part. Full details will be announced closer to the event.

The announcement of the Red Arrows and Royal Marines Band was made as event stakeholders gathered for the 100-day milestone at the event’s countdown clock in Aberdeen.

  

Colourful aerial display with red planesRed Arrows aerial display. Credit: Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025

We can’t wait to bring our new Red Arrows display to Aberdeen this summer. We are always humbled by the brilliant, large crowds that turn out for our shows in Scotland.

Those at the Tall Ships event can expect a dynamic aerobatic show that’s got big new formation shapes, precision rolls, loops, and high-speed passes.

Jon Bond, RAF Squadron Leader

It has been many years since the Royal Marines Band performed in Aberdeen. We are delighted to return and celebrate the shared sea-faring heritage that resonates between the City of Aberdeen, The Royal Marines and The Tall Ships Races.

It will be an honour and a privilege for our musicians to be part of the celebrations and to showcase the precision and musical excellence the Royal Marines Band pride themselves on.

We look forward to contribute to what promises to be an unforgettable event and reinforcing the close ties between the Royal Marines and the communities we serve.

Captain Ann Miller RM, The Royal Marines Band Director of Music

The next generation of voyagers

Earlier in the week it was also revealed that 230 young people, aged between 15 and 25 years old, have been selected as sail trainees for the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025. It follows an overwhelming response from those living across the city and the wider Aberdeenshire region.

More than 670 applications were received after an extensive recruitment campaign to make the opportunity as accessible as possible. More than 100 of the 250 trainee places are fully funded, thanks to support that was secured from key sponsors, generous local businesses, and national initiatives.

The voyages offer unique opportunities for personal development, teamwork, and cultural exchange. No prior sailing experience was required to apply. The opportunity has been designed to be inclusive, diverse, and accessible.

Of the trainees, 150 will join the crew of 10 tall ships’ in Dunkirk (France) on 13 July and sailing into Aberdeen on 19 July. The other 80 will sail on nine tall ships’ that will depart Aberdeen on 22 July and arrive in Kristiansand (Norway) on 30 July. 

 

Shark mascot holding a signTall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 mascot. Credit: Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025

History of the ships

Among the ships are two chartered by the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen team to accommodate sail trainees for the race leg from Aberdeen to Kristiansand, the Swan and the Alba Explorer.

Swan was built in Lerwick in 1900 and was originally one of the vast fleet of wooden vessels fishing for herring in the early 20th century.

Rescued from dereliction in the early 1990s, she returned to Shetland and is now run by the Swan Trust, participating in numerous Tall Ships Races and traditional boat festivals. She has five permanent crew and will have 10 trainees on board.

Alba Explorer was built in 2000 in Greenock and was used as a round-the-word racing yacht, before joining the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland fleet. She was modified to work with young people and adapted for coastal sailing. She now has six permanent crew and will have 12 trainees.

  

Band of HM Royal Marines on shipBand of HM Royal Marines on board a ship. Credit: Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025

Events play a vital role in Scotland; not only bringing communities together and driving economic benefit, but also for delivering lasting social impacts by creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to get involved.

The opportunity provided by Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 to the 230 young people selected to be sail trainees is a fantastic example of how events can inspire, educate, and develop new skills.

Investing in events like these helps support personal and professional growth, while strengthening Scotland’s reputation as a world-leading tourism and events destination; one that delivers exceptional experiences while fostering talent and innovation for the future.

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events, VisitScotland

The sheer volume of applications motivated us to expand the programme, ensuring more young people can experience this incredible adventure.

We've smashed our original target of sending 100 trainees and we can’t wait to hear their amazing sailing stories.

Councillor Martin Greig, Chair of the Tall Ships Organising Committee, Aberdeen City Council

Related links