‘Party city’ event gets under sail

The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen – labelled the biggest tourist event in Scotland this year is under sail.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend, to see dozens of impressive vessels from around the world.

Scottish band Deacon Blue played a harbourside gig on Friday night as part of the warm-up for the four days before things get officially under way at the weekend.

But there is a Met Office Yellow warning for heavy rain in Aberdeen from Saturday afternoon until Sunday.

The city council said it would issue updates if there was any impact on the event as a result.

Aberdeen will be turned into a “party city”, according to the organisers.

It runs until Tuesday, when the ships will then sail on to Norway.

The Granite City previously hosted the tall ships in 1991 and 1997.

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

The event is billed as Europe’s largest free family event.

Almost 50 ships have been confirmed as taking part in Aberdeen.

There will be about 2,000 international crew members taking part, from as far afield as Uruguay and Oman.

Hundreds of volunteers have been recruited to help at the event, which is expected to attract about “400,000 visits” – an estimate which includes repeat visits.

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

The vessels are divided into four classes, ranging from large sailing ships to smaller single-masted boats.

Dar Mlodziezy, from Poland, is the tallest at 62.5m (205ft) high.

Built in 1982, she made her Tall Ships debut in the same year.

Her name means “the gift of youth”.

The BAP Union is the furthest travelled, having come to Aberdeen from Peru.

BAP Union’s sailing distance from Callao to Aberdeen is about 7,500 nautical miles (13,890km).

The skipper of Norwegian vessel Sorlandet, Captain Tore Skjelbred-Knudsen, is looking forward to the event.

“It’s a gathering of these ships, it’s a beautiful sight, it’s maritime history, we can show that to the people of Aberdeen,” he told BBC Scotland News.

“But most of all it’s for the young people joining the ships, it’s changing their lives.”

He added: “As a former student at the University of Aberdeen, I have been truly looking forward to visiting again.

“Even if it is a couple of decades ago, I vividly remember the charm, the friendly people, the vast culture, and all the friends I made during my time there.”

Emma Wadee, Aberdeen City Council’s Tall Ships Project Manager, said: “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.

“We know how much the people of Aberdeen love to party – we saw that during the Dons’ Scottish Cup victory parade.”

The ships will be berthed in Waterloo Quay, Regent Quay, Trinity Quay, Upper Quay, Jamieson’s Quay and Blaikies Quay.

Full details of where each ship will be can be found here.

The main entrance to the harbour area will be via Marischal Street. Many of the ships will be open to visitors during their time in Aberdeen.

Following on from Deacon Blue on Friday night, other gigs will include Kaiser Chiefs.

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

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 say there will also 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 as well as youth ensembles.

Young children will be catered for with attractions at a family zone at Blaikie’s Quay, including a giant sandpit.

People can also get their picture taken with Tall Ships Aberdeen mascot, Dorry the Dolphin, during the festival.

Aberdeen city centre is expected to be very busy with tens of thousands of spectators each day.

The organisers are recommending that people use public transport or car share if coming into Aberdeen, and that those staying locally could walk or cycle.

Four regular Park and Ride services will be in operation from Bridge of Don, Craibstone, P&J Live, and Kingswells.

Road closures and parking restrictions will be place on streets around Aberdeen harbour during the course of the event.

Castle Street, King Street, Marischal Street, Regent Quay, Blaikies Quay and Regent Road are among those affected.

Pocra Quay and New Pier Road in Footdee are open to business and resident access only.

You can keep up to date with the latest BBC weather forecast here.