Previous trips
2009 has been a busy and successful year for the swan. There have been numerous trips with school and community groups, and we have also taken part in local festivals such as the Johnsmas Foy and UnstFest. We have had a number of private charters this year, including a trip to Faroe.
The swan received a lot of attention from visitors at the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy in June. She was also the star attraction at The Crossing, part of the Scottish Homecoming celebrations, when we sailed the entire length of the Caledonian Canal with a flotilla of small boats.
In August we undertook a 10 day charter as part of the European Boat Angling Championships, held in Orkney. The best of Europe’s anglers were there – an exciting trip, enjoyed by all.
Another of the year’s highlights was the opportunity to work in partnership with Sail Training Shetland to train and recruit a team of local young people to take part in an ASTO Small Ships Race from Greenock to Belfast. The swan was one of 14 other ships. Their arrival coincided with the Belfast Maritime Festival, hosting the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge. The swan took part in the Tall Ships Parade of Sail, before leaving Belfast Harbour to return home to Lerwick. An incredible experience for the new trainees.
We also had the privilege of attending an arts event in Aberdeen this year. The swan was chartered to help promote His Majesty’s Theatre’s production of Neil Gunn’s classic novel, ‘The Silver Darlings’ – an epic adventure story, set in the early days of the Scottish herring fisheries.
