Want to get involved in maintaining and operating a traditional wooden sailing vessel? There are a number of different ways you can volunteer to safeguard, care for and sail this unique heritage asset.
Learn moreSwan is a community asset which brings people together, whether on a sailing trip, as part of our volunteer base or through community events. With a particular focus on enabling youth sail training opportunities, we connect with schools, sail training and youth organisations, and undertake a range of youth sails every year. Our volunteers help operate, maintain and promote Swan, and we also work with partner organisations to enhance community events and funding bids for youth and other projects.
The sail training and volunteering experiences we offer are about much more than sailing/maintaining the boat, they promote mental and physical health, build life experiences, confidence, skills and friendships – and they keep our heritage alive.
Built in 1900, Swan was one of hundreds of Fifies to be found fishing around Scotland and further afield. To our knowledge there are now only two of Swans size in existence, the other being a floating exhibit at the Scottish Fisheries Museum. Therefore, we are the only boat of its type offering sail training experiences. Swan is also an ambassador for Shetland, sail training and Scotland’s maritime past where ever she goes, and always attracts attention.
It is costly to maintain wooden boats, and Swan is no exception, there are also a lot of costs involved in maintaining our MCA Vessel Classification and Certification, which allows us to carry passengers and offer sail training experiences. Your donation will help us maintain this unique vessel and continue to offer sail training and volunteering opportunities for those in Shetland and further afield.
While we do offer some commercial trips to help raise funds, we rely on donations, sponsorship and other funding to help us cover annual costs. Every penny you donate will be used to buy items to maintain Swan and/or offer our sail training and volunteering experiences.
Whether you can provide a regular or one-off donation it will be appreciated and put to good use and, if you are a UK tax payer, please remember to gift aid it.
Thank you for your support.
Want to get involved in maintaining and operating a traditional wooden sailing vessel? There are a number of different ways you can volunteer to safeguard, care for and sail this unique heritage asset.
Learn more
The Swan Trust SCIO are seeking a full time Skipper for Swan to oversee the busy summer sailing schedule in 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity offering the chance to work with a great team on international voyages and spend time aboard Shetland's iconic historic vessel.
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A new chair has been appointed to lead the activities of the Swan Trust SCIO, which owns and operates the Swan (LK 243) – the refurbished ex-herring drifter which has served since 1998 as the community’s sail training vessel.
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