News

Sail Training Shetland and The Swan Trust recently completed a series of 7 youth sail training taster day sails around Shetland. With a new set of trainees each day, 70 trainees aged 15-25 years took part, and showed they all had the ability to take part in the Tall Ships Races 2023, which will return to Shetland in July.

The Swan Trust recently undertook its pre-season crew training. These days are a great way to introduce new volunteer crew to the Swan as well as refresh previous volunteers. 2023 is shaping up to be the Swan’s busiest season yet, with trips available to the public around Shetland, as well as to Orkney, Anstruther and Den Helder in the Netherlands.

A lot of work goes on year round to ensure the Swan is ready to sail, with the winter and spring a time of activity around winter maintenance, certification and readying the Swan for the next season. Here we look at just a few aspects of this work.

The Swan Trust has undertaken a range of charters over the years. Last year this included a professional photoshoot aboard the Swan for local knitwear designer Mati Ventrillon, as part of her Artisans project.

Sail Training Shetland are inviting applications from young people aged 15 – 25 to take part in The Tall Ships Races 2023, with a series of free Taster Day Sails aboard the Swan in April to whet the appetite. Young people from all over Shetland can apply for an inspiring, action-packed voyage at sea, providing a unique experience, the opportunity for travel, international friendships, and host port festivals.

The Swan has a busy 2023 season, with trips available to the public around Shetland, as well as to Orkney, Anstruther and Den Helder in the Netherlands. The Swan will also undertake charters in Shetland, Orkney, Norway and Faroe as well as for the Tall Ships Races, which will visit the Netherlands, Hartlepool, Norway and Lerwick.

The Swan Trust looks back on a fantastic 2022 season and forward to what to expect in 2023

The Swan Trust SCIO, has appointed seven new trustees to help shape the future of the Trust and develop opportunities for everyone to interact with Shetland’s community asset, the Swan, LK 243.

It was with a heavy heart that we learned of the passing of former Trustee and Chairman Captain Michael Gray. Here we pay tribute to him, his work in establishing the Swan as a sail training vessel and his ongoing support of the Trust.

The Swan Trust SCIO is among 27 local projects and charities to receive a total of £8.7 million funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust for 2023/24, with The Swan Trust receiving £29,000 towards its core costs for delivering its volunteering and sailing opportunities to the community, and keeping Shetland’s maritime heritage alive.

The Vevoe Trophy for Swan Sail Trainee of the Year 2022 was presented to nineteen-year-old Vaila Wright, from Lerwick. Supported by Sail Training Shetland, Vaila was one of twenty Swan Trainees who took part in the Tall Ships Races 2022, visiting Denmark, The Netherlands and Belgium, followed by the Excelsior Trust Centenary Smack Race, in Lowestoft, England.

The Swan Trust SCIO is delighted that one of their volunteers, Ian Nicolson, has been awarded the National Historic Ships UK and Marsh Charitable Trust, Marsh Volunteer Award (Individual) 2022. The Awards recognise the significant contribution volunteers make to the conservation and operation of historic vessels in the UK