A new voyage is calling — and for young people across Aberdeen, it promises salt air, towering sails, and the kind of experience that lingers long after land comes back into view.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Tall Ships sail trainee programme, offering a remarkable opportunity for 16 young adventurers to step aboard the historic vessel Swan and take part in one of the world’s most celebrated maritime events, the Tall Ships Races 2026.
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
Following the resounding success of Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025, the city is once again investing in its young people — with 12 fully funded and four self funded trainee places available. The initiative ensures that passion and curiosity matter far more than experience. No sailing background is required, only a willingness to embrace the unknown.
Julie Wood of Aberdeen City Council captured the spirit of the programme, describing it as a “fantastic opportunity” for young people to discover new skills, build friendships, and embark on a genuinely unique adventure.
Life at Sea — and Beyond
For those who take part, this is far more than a trip. It is a transformation.
Participants will become full crew members aboard the Swan, a beautifully restored ship first launched in 1900 in Shetland. Under sail, trainees will learn the rhythms of life at sea — teamwork, resilience, navigation, and the quiet confidence that comes from mastering something entirely new.
Blair MacAskill, a 2025 trainee, described the experience as nothing short of life changing, opening doors and pushing boundaries in ways few opportunities can.
Routes Across Europe’s Great Ports
The 2026 race itself charts an unforgettable course. Beginning in Aarhus, Denmark, the fleet will journey through Harlingen in the Netherlands, Antwerp in Belgium, Stavanger in Norway, and conclude in Aalborg, Denmark.
Aberdeen’s trainees will join for a key leg of the voyage, either sailing from Aberdeen toward Harlingen and onward to Antwerp, or joining the race from Antwerp to Stavanger. Each route offers its own blend of challenge, camaraderie, and breathtaking scenery.
A Proven Success Story
The appetite for adventure is already clear. In 2025, an astonishing 244 young people from the north east took part — the highest number from any host port — demonstrating just how powerful this experience can be.
Bob Sanguinetti of the Port of Aberdeen reflected on the impact, highlighting how transformative it was to see local young people step aboard these historic ships and return with new confidence and perspective.
Adrian Watson of Aberdeen Inspired echoed that sentiment, calling the programme one of the most meaningful legacies of the Tall Ships event — a genuine “call to adventure” for the next generation.
Who Can Apply
Young people aged 15 to 25 living within an AB postcode are eligible. The only requirements are enthusiasm, availability between 29 June and 13 July, and a readiness to embrace the experience fully.
Applications close on Thursday 16 April.
Those ready to answer the call can apply by emailing TravelTrade@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
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