The Restoration

She needed a new keel, new bilge stringers and all her decks were to be renewed. It was also discovered that her nails had rusted away. So, a decision was taken to replace all of the planking. In retrospect this was one of the best decisions taken, as it allowed necessary changes to be made to make the ship comply as a passenger vessel.
Skilled carpenters undertook the work through the summer of 1992. After many months of hard labour, The Swan was once again ready to take to water on Saturday 16th April 1994. A proud day for all of the committee and workmen. There was still a lot of work to do on the internal fit out however, and it would be another two years before The Swan was ready to sail again.

In 2021, a BBC Radio Shetland programme celebrated 25 years since the relaunch of the Swan, including interviews with those involved in her return to Shetland, her restoration and new life as a Sail training vessel. Listen to the programme here.

The Swan has ongoing maintenance and operation costs, and the Trust is grateful to all its supporters. Follow these links to donate or volunteer with the Trust. Anyone can sail on Swan, for details of trips available to book check out our upcoming trips

If you’d like to know more about the history or restoration, look out for 'The Swan - Shetland's legacy of sail' by James R. Nicolson, published by the Shetland Times.