Family friendly trips are a popular choice

The sailing trips allowed families to get a taster of sailing this historic vessel and to explore the Delting area and surrounding coasts from the sea. Heading out Busta Voe, the exact route each day was decided by the skipper, to make the most of the weather, wind and incredible wildlife and scenery. The Trust received great feedback from the families who took part, and are now looking at how they can offer this type of family trip in future years.

Swan Trustee, Peter Campbell, explains: “We were delighted to be invited to take part in the Delting Boating Club Centenary celebrations, to help the club mark this tremendous milestone. With the Come to Brae Days also taking place over the weekend, and many family friendly events, we decided to try something a bit different. We had received feedback from families, especially with younger children, that they would like us to offer a shorter, cost effective family trip, and we though this was the perfect opportunity to try it out. This led us to test the market with 2 half day trips and a discounted family rate. This was a huge success, with both trips fully booked, the majority of those booked on family tickets and about a 50:50 split between adults and those aged under 15 both days.”

The Delting Boating Club was thrilled that the Swan took part in their celebrations and used this to try out their new product. Recently retired commodore of the Delting Boating Club and Swan Trust Trustee, Mary Irvine, said: “The Swan is such an iconic Shetland boat, which attracts attention wherever she goes. We were delighted that she could attend our celebrations and she really added to the whole experience, especially our parade of boats/sail. The family friendly trips she offered were a great success, with many people enthusiastic about what a great time they had and how good the crew were at involving everyone. This type of trip is so important as it helps to keep our maritime heritage alive and relevant to the wider public, and particularly the next generation.

We should not forget that the Swan is not just important locally but nationally. From the many hundreds of boats of her type which fished around the UK and further afield in the height of the herring boom, she is one of just two which have survived, and the only one which offers sailing trips for the public. We really are very lucky to have her.”

The Swan Trust and Delting Boating Cub would like to thank Michael Laurenson of Blueshell Mussels for the use of their pier.

Find out more about the Delting Boating Club here

If you would like to help support the 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