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125th Anniversary Open Day Celebration

Dates & Availability

Embarkation Location
Lerwick, Shetland
Disembarkation Location
Lerwick, Shetland
Available
Start Date
Sunday, 4 May 2025
End Date
Sunday, 4 May 2025
Price
Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.

Join the crew and trustees of the Swan Trust SCIO on board Swan from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sunday 4th May to celebrate 125th anniversary of the Swan.

Join the crew and trustees of the Swan Trust SCIO on board Swan as we celebrate 125 years since this iconic ship was first launched at Hay’s Dock in Lerwick, on 3rd May 1900.

There will be an opportunity to explore the boat, getting an up close look into the engine room, bunk quarters, main saloon, galley and workshop areas. Browse our photo albums and chat with others on board to hear stories of trips on board, and how the Swan has helped launch the maritime careers of just some of the young sail trainees who have been on board since the restoration of the boat in the 1990s.

You will hear about the trips we have planned for this summer, including participation in the Tall Ships Races between France, Aberdeen, Norway and Denmark – check out the online diary and see what public trips are available to book now!

Swan LK243 was the largest Fifie ever built at Hay’s Dock and enjoyed a 50 year fishing career, with a number of modifications made to keep her in the game up until the 1950s when she was taken to Grimsby and converted to a houseboat. Read the history of Swan here - https://www.swantrust.com/about/history

Since 1996, the boat has been operating as a sail training vessel and some of the people you meet on board, including current and past crew members, had their first traditional sailing experience on board. Thousands have enjoyed sailing on Swan since her restoration and with engagement and support from the local community, trustees hope to ensure thousands more are able to engage with our maritime heritage in this way for generations to come.

The boat will be open to the public from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sunday 4th May. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available for visitors, and a range of merchandise available to purchase with all proceeds reinvested in the boat.

Upcoming Trips

Volunteer

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

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