SEVERAL Scottish locations have been confirmed as guest harbours for a 2023 Cruise in Company event ahead of next summer’s Tall Ships Races arriving in Lerwick.
The harbours feature among a total of ten destinations for the friendly, non-competitive event as the ships leave Fredrikstad en route to Lerwick in July.
Scalloway, on the west coast, Cullivoe in the north of Yell and the Unst ports of Baltasound and Uyeasound are the Shetland-based locations for Cruise in Company, enabling participating crews to explore spectacular coastlines, towns and villages on both sides of the North Sea.
Aberdeen and Stromness in Orkney are the other two Scottish harbours taking part, giving the ships the opportunity to visit other locations in Scotland and experience a warm welcome from other communities.
Harbours in Langesund, Kristiansand, Båly, Sirevåg and Bekkjarvik in Norway are also participating, with the Cruise in Company running from 18-26 July 2023.
Each guest harbour is now working on a programme of events and activities to be offered for ships’ crews to participate in alongside their own community. Information on this will be shared in local areas and through the Shetland Tall Ships website in due course.
One of the organisers of the Cullivoe event, taking place between Sunday 23 and Tuesday 25 July, is Alice Jamieson.
She said Yell, informally known as “the friendly isle”, has “always been the place to go for a party. We are famed for our community’s musical and maritime traditions, and it’s great to once again be playing our part in hosting the Tall Ships Races”.
Alice said: “The Sail Yell festival in Cullivoe, along with the other Guest Harbour activities next summer will set the mood for the main event in Lerwick: with live music, food and drink, amusements and entertainment for all the family.
“We can guarantee a warm welcome to folk from all over Shetland, and to sailors from all over the world.”
The Cruise in Company is being supported by Visit Scotland, and its director of events Paul Bush said: “Scotland is the perfect stage for events and the Cruise in Company element will provide the ideal opportunity for the crews taking part in the Tall Ships Races 2023 to experience the amazing scenery and culture of Scotland’s north east coast.
“Events play an important role in our communities by offering us the chance to connect, enjoy and share memorable experiences, and EventScotland is proud to be supporting the Tall Ships Races in Lerwick as part of an exciting portfolio of major events taking place across the country next year.”