Latest news with #TallShipsRacesAberdeen2025
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Tall Ships celebration attracts 400,000 visitors to Aberdeen
Described as one of Scotland's biggest tourism events, this year the Tall Ship Races began on Saturday and saw thousands of people cheer on almost 50 vessels from around the world. The four-day event concluded on Tuesday with organisers hailing it as an outstanding success, along with boosting the economy and re-energising the Granite City with a 'renewed sense of pride and confidence' in the future. It was estimated that 400,000 visitors made the trip to Port of Aberdeen with tens of thousands more at the beach and around the bay during the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025. READ MORE: Edinburgh gift shop accused of tax evasion following UK-wide probe In partnership with Aberdeen City Council, Port of Aberdeen, and Aberdeen Inspired, the event boasted a packed programme ranging from Quayside Concerts featuring performances from Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs along with a display from the Red Arrows. First Minister John Swinney praised the success of the Tall Ships when he toured the Port of [[Aberdeen]]'s Marine Operation Centre on Tuesday and watched the Parade of Sail, which marked the end of the four-day extravaganza. He also met Tall Ships sail trainees who had been sailing from Dunkirk to Aberdeen along with volunteers who made sure the event was smooth sailing for all to enjoy. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Swinney said: 'It has made me extremely proud to witness first-hand the success of The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 and meet some of the people involved. 'The young crew members who have sailed from Dunkirk to Aberdeen are a true inspiration. And the four-day programme, pulled together so expertly by organisers and volunteers, has been an incredible spectacle that will be remembered for years to come. 'Aberdeen has built a strong reputation as a globally recognised event hub that boosts local economy, community pride, and international connections. 'The Scottish Government is committed to supporting world-class events like The Tall Ships Races that raise Scotland's profile, attract tourism and investment, and grow our economy.' The Tall Ships Races was the biggest event staged in the Granite City in a generation, and organisers of the event said the full impact it has had on the economy now and into the future will be closely assessed. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Highlights of the event included the chance to explore the ships themselves, while budding sailors were also able to enjoy the bustling market of Curated On The Quayside along with pop-up bars and food stalls as well as free music and entertainment all day long. Councillor Martin Greig, chair of the Aberdeen Tall Ships organising committee, said the whole experience was 'rewarding' for young people. He said: 'I'm pleased that the event turned out to be so popular. The huge number of more than 400,000 visits is a massive boost for our area. The crowds of people show this has been a truly inclusive event for all ages and abilities. 'The Tall Ships visit has been a marvellous, uplifting experience for everyone involved. It's been great to welcome so many visitors from far and wide to our harbour and to our city. The festival has given enormous pleasure to so many thousands of people. 'It has been a really splendid time for sharing fun, learning and friendship. Aberdeen opened itself up to the world and has confirmed our identity as a good-natured, kind community. 'Young people are at the heart of the Tall Ships and it has been especially rewarding to see them benefit from the opportunities of taking part in so many different ways. Hopefully our city can build on the amazing experiences of Tall Ships 2025 so that we can continue to grow together as a cosmopolitan, outward-looking place.' Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: 'Wow, what a party that was! It created such a fantastic sense of vibrancy and excitement in the city that everyone who enjoyed it will never forget it. And 400,000 visits is an astonishing achievement. 'As well as the fun, the Tall Ships brought with them a major economic lift for the city with a huge jump in footfall for all the city centre businesses, who made the most of this opportunity, dressing their shops in bunting and posters, welcoming visitors through the door. It also underlines just how much there is to see and enjoy in our city centre.'
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Tall Ships Races Aberdeen set sail as visitors 'wowed' after Deacon Blue opening
Thousands of visitors attended the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen this morning. The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 set sail today while wowing visitors to the once-in-a-generation event this morning. Huge crowds gathered as the gates opened at 9am to witness the 50 vessels berthed around the quayside. Around 7,000 music fans were also thrilled by Deacon Blue, who took the stage last night to open the Quayside Concert series. Visitors spoke about the rousing fanfare to start proceedings at an official ribbon cutting by Lord Provost David Cameron. Chloe Wright, 37, from Cults came to see the Tall Ships with her husband David, and her two children Benji, 10 months old, and Mack, 3. She said: 'We are loving it, there is just so much to see and not just the ships. And it is nice to see Aberdeen coming out and being in such fine fettle. And it's so good for the kids. 'When we first saw all the ships I just though ' wow '. I was really little when they were last here and my dad took me, so this is the first time I have seen them in years and years and I had forgotten what to expect. 'We are looking forward to going on the boats and the kids are really excited as well.' Mark Foster, 58, from Bridge of Don, who was also an early visitor at the Tall Ships with his wife, Pamela, continued: 'It is quite amazing. I was surprised by the size of them. The one on the other side of the port is absolutely huge. When I first saw it all I could say is 'wow'. Some of these Tall Ships are beautiful. 'That atmosphere here is busy, but it's not too crowded, so it's actually calming. There is a plethora of food bars, shops and craft shops as well, and I daresay a lot of them are from the Aberdeen community, so that's good to see as well.' Even as people were getting their first look at the range, scale and sheer excitement of the Tall Ships this morning, Deacon Blue fans were still buzzing about last night's gig. It saw the iconic Scottish band sing their extensive range of anthems from over the years to the delight of the thousands who filled the purpose-built open-air gig space at Peterson Seabase. And the crowd also gave the warmest of welcomes to local favourites, Little Kicks, as well as rising Scottish star Brooke Combe who played a blistering set. Callum Fitzwater, 47, from Fife, added: 'I came up just for this, I'm a massive Deacon Blue fun. The gig is amazing, it's a great venue and a great set-up, just brilliant. Watching them performing Dignity, one of their top songs, in this venue was so good, I love it. 'The Quayside Concerts as an idea is just brilliant, areas like Aberdeen and Dundee need to do this more often. Edinburgh and Glasgow have had everything but Aberdeen can hold their own.' Carran Legge, 52, from Aberdeen, noted: 'I just love Deacon Blue and the gig has been so good. When they sang Dignity it was just amazing in this venue, what an atmosphere. Aberdeen should definitely do more things like this.' Deacon Blue kicked off the Quayside Concert series of gigs that have created a mini-summer music festival at the heart of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen. Next up will be Ministry of Sound Classical playing at the venue tonight; Tide Lines and Calum Bowie playing special charity gig as a thank you to Aberdeen RNLI tomorrow Sunday, followed by the Kaiser Chiefs playing out the series – which sold out within days – on Monday evening. The enthusiasm for the Tall Ships Races was shared by Vanessa Mori, Deputy CEO and Commercial Director of Sail Training International which stages the world-famous Tall Ships Races and who is in Aberdeen for the event. She said: 'The whole team at Sail Training International is absolutely overwhelmed with the enthusiasm that Aberdeen has shown over the past two and a half years in the lead up to this event. To see the city come alive with 50 tall ships, international crews and local communities is just a delight. 'It's a pleasure working with the team, in what is and will be an amazing event for the city over the next four days. We look forward to the next one.' And Scottish Government Minister for Business and Employment, Richard Lochhead , also praised the vibrant event when he visited on the opening day. He said: ' The Tall Ships celebrate Scotland's proud maritime history and long tradition of international exchange. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Aberdeen Line, which built more than 100 ships from the Walter Hood Shipyard, in the very place the Tall Ships are berthed today. 'It's incredible to see Aberdeen hosting this spectacle which draws visitors from across the world. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring our country continues to be the perfect stage for events like this one, which connect communities and bring huge economic benefits.' Beyond the harbour area, there is a Discovery Zone with STEM activities for young and old at the Castlegate, a funfair on King Street, and a Military Village along with other stalls and activities at Union Terrace Gardens. Also, shops, pubs, restaurants and businesses across the city centre have also pushed the boat out, decked out in bunting and posters ready to welcome the 400,000 visits The Tall Ships Races is expected to generate over the four days. Tomorrow will see the carnival atmosphere of the crew parade, with crews, bands and musicians from the Tall Ships, along with the Band of HM Royal Marines, taking to the city streets in a riot of colourful costumes and fancy dress. Monday will have the Red Arrows performing amazing aerial acrobatics just off the coast with the Esplanade as an excellent grandstand for thousands of fans. Tuesday will see the spectacular Parade of Sail as the Tall Ships leave port to muster at sea ready to start their race to Kristiansand in Norway. 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The Herald Scotland
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Tide Lines Tall Ships concert in Aberdeen to aid RNLI
Initially the 7,000 capacity gig had been planned as a free event, but quick sellouts for Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs have prompted a rethink. Instead online tickets will be sold for £5, with the money raised going to the Aberdeen RNLI. Read More: A spokesperson The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen said: 'Given the amazing clamour for other gigs in the series we didn't want to be in a position of having to turn disappointed fans away from the Sunday concert once it reached capacity. 'Having online tickets to secure places means those who want to see Tide Lines and Calum Bowie can – and do it safely and easily. 'We also felt that a £5 donation would be an opportunity to support RNLI Aberdeen who are integral to safety at sea not just during The Tall Ships Races, but all year round. 'Fans can have a great night out at this special concert - staged as a 'thank you' to the people of Aberdeen for their support of the Tall Ships Races – knowing they are saying 'thank you' to our lifeboat crews.' Tide Lines' lead singer Robert Robertson said: "We can't wait to play one of the Quayside Concerts during the Tall Ships celebrations in Aberdeen! Coming from coastal communities ourselves, we're delighted that proceeds from this show are being donated to the vital cause of the RNLI.' RNLI Aberdeen said they were delighted by the boost the donations from the gig will bring to their work. 'We are so thankful to the Tall Ships Race Aberdeen and the artists for offering the proceeds of this charity concert to Aberdeen RNLI Lifeboat Station,' said Fiona Anderson, the station's volunteer lifeboat management group chair. 'Last year in Scotland RNLI lifeboats launched 1,182 times, aided 881 people and saved the lives of 36 people. The money donated from this concert will go towards keeping our lifeboats and other lifesaving services afloat, and for that, Aberdeen RNLI Lifeboat Station and the wider RNLI are truly thankful!' The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 will run from July 19 to 22 and has been brought to the city by Aberdeen City Council, Port of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Inspired. It's the first time the Tall Ships race has visited the Granite City in close to 30 years. The event is expected to attract 400,000 visitors and 50 ships from across the globe, with the race to also take in Le Havre, Dunkirk, Kristiansand, and Esbjerg. Tickets for Tide Lines and Calum Bowie will be released on Friday, June 13, at 10am via The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen website
