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 more21 December 2021
With 2021 drawing to a close, we look back at what we have achieved and forward to what to expect in 2022
Looking back on 2021
While our 2021 sailing season was limited due to Covid, it was fantastic to be back out on the water again. As soon as we could welcome passengers, we focused on our core aims of youth sail training and providing opportunities for our community to see and experience the Swan.
During the short season we sailed around much of Shetland, welcoming school pupils from Whalsay, Unst, Yell and Sandwick. We were also able to attend the Delting Boating Club Centenary celebrations as well as operate tours in and around Scalloway and Lerwick - including the Scalloway Peerie Club and a book launch for Marsali Taylor’s The Shetland Sea Murders, which features the Swan.
This year we offered some new trips aimed at families and developed Sail Training Taster days with Sail Training Shetland, all of which were a great success. We also promoted Shetland’s fishing heritage out with the Isles, producing short films for both the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival and the Anstruther Harbour Festival.
Celebrating our successes
We were delighted that one of our volunteers, Scott Sandison received a Spirit of the Community Award for his youth work aboard the Swan.
2021 also marked the 25th anniversary of the Swan’s relaunch as a sail training and charter vessel. We are delighted to reach this milestone, which is testament to the support all our volunteers, sponsors and many others, have given the Trust over the years. As part of the activities to mark this milestone, we ran a series of What Swan Means to Me features and BBC Radio Shetland aired an hour-long programme about her return and sail training life. Thank you everyone who took part in this.
Looking ahead to 2022
We are looking forward to a full sailing season next year, including:
We also look forward to working with current - and welcoming new - volunteers, trainees, sponsors and funders. The Swan is a community asset and we are passionate about enabling our community, especially its young folk, to experience the benefits the Swan has to offer.
Thank you
During the year we have received great support from several funding sources, including:
We are incredibly grateful to all our funders, sponsors and volunteers, without whom we could not maintain and operate the Swan.
If you would like to help support Swan 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
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
Ahoy there – Join the Swan for Summer 2027! Shetland’s own Tall Ship, Swan, has an exciting opportunity for a qualified Skipper to join us for the 2027 summer season. This will offer a fantastic experience sailing round Shetland, North East Scotland, and international journeys to the Faroe Islands. The role would suit a someone keen on adventure who understands the importance and value of sail training to our younger sailors, and the quality of experience for our public sailing trips. The position may be available as a job share opportunity for the right candidate.
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Beenie-Ann Wood from Muckle Roe has been awarded the 2026 Vevoe Trophy at the season finale event hosted by the Swan Trust.
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