Doors Open Day 2024

Swan LK243 is an iconic part of Shetland’s maritime heritage. The largest boat even to be built at the Hay & Co yard in Lerwick, Swan was launched in May 1900 and spent many years fishing between Lerwick and, later, Whalsay. By 1935 only a handful of herring sail boats remained and so an engine was fitted to give the boat a new lease of life, enabling her to continue fishing as a seine netter until the 1950s. After this, Swan left Shetland for Grimsby where she was converted to a houseboat and later moved to Hartlepool where she lay neglected for many years until she was brought back to Shetland for full restoration in the 1990s.

Swan Trustees invite the public to come along and find out more about the boat, sail training experiences, and volunteering opportunities. Take a peek in the engine room, the saloon and the galley, and see how much space each sailor has in a bunk!

Hear stories from Trustees and crew members about sailing on board. Swan celebrates her 125th anniversary in 2025 having had an interesting and varied life to date – find out how you can be part of her future!

The Swan is a traditional sailing ship, offering sail training to keep these skills going for future generations. The trading and cultural links with fishing towns along the Scottish coastline was celebrated last year with a ‘Herring Trail’ trip following the route of the herring shoals in years gone by, and the movement of people and boats to follow this.

Location: Scalloway Boating Club Pontoon

Date: Friday 20th and Saturday 21st September

Time: 1030 - 1600 each day