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Aberdeen to be 'party city' during Tall Ships Races

Ken Banks
BBC Scotland
Sail Training International Light-coloured tall ship with masts and beige sails in the sea.Sail Training International
The Tall Ships event will be held in July

Aberdeen will be turned into a "party city" when it hosts the Tall Ships Races later this year, according to the event's organisers.

They have unveiled the full programme for the spectacle which will be held from Saturday 19 July to Tuesday 22 July.

Dozens of vessels from around the world will take part, and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to enjoy the four-day event. The organisers say they expect it to be the biggest tourist event in Scotland this year.

Additional attractions will include free live music, and street food stalls.

A previously-announced gig by Deacon Blue as part of the Tall Ships event has already sold out.

Tickets for Kaiser Chiefs - 'I Predict a Riot' is among their hits - and a Ministry of Sound Classical event are also sold out.

Getty Images Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh sitting under spotlights on a dark stage. Lorraine is playing the guitar and singing into a mic. Ricky has a mic in front of his face and his hands are on his knees. Behind them is a drum kit and two lit lamps with light shades on them.Getty Images
Deacon Blue have already sold out a Tall Ships gig

Aside from the main names, other acts include Tide Lines, Calum Bowie, Glasvegas, Brooke Combe, Little Kicks, Capollos and Look Busy Collective.

The event organisers revealed there would be a "vibrant" line-up of live music, including Scottish trad, jazz, Afrobeat, hip hop, and Latin soul.

The line-up also features local choirs and youth ensembles.

Young children will be catered for with attractions at a family zone at Blaikie's Quay including a giant sandpit and entertainment. People can also get their picture taken with Tall Ships Aberdeen mascot, Dorry the Dolphin, during the festival.

Dorry the dolphin mascot on a boat, giving thumb up, with sign saying 'Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025' in the background.
Children can meet Dorry the dolphin
Aberdeen Tall Ships map of events.
Four days of events are planned

Emma Wadee, Aberdeen City Council's Tall Ships Project Manager, said: "We know how much the people of Aberdeen love to party - we saw that during the Dons' Scottish Cup victory parade.

"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."

Picture of woman - Emma Wadee - smiling at camera, at sea, wearing bright clothing.
Emma Wadee predicted people would turn out in their thousands

The races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people in the art of sailing.

Vessels from Oman, Uruguay and Peru will be among those taking part.

Aberdeen previously hosted the prestigious event in 1991 and 1997.

Greenock and Lerwick are among other towns to have featured in the event's history, which dates back to the 1970s.

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