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 moreDonate
23 September 2019
The Swan Trust and well-known Shetland musician Barry Nisbet are delighted to announce that they will be working together next year to offer Sessions and Sail in the Isles for the first time. Sailing around the Isles 27th April – 1st May 2020, the trip will also coincide with the 40th Shetland Folk Festival and Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters.
Mixing his passions of sailing and music, Sessions and Sail was conceived by Barry, and the first voyage took place in 2018. The trips welcome musicians of any ability, with musical sessions and masterclasses taking place on board and ashore, and some fantastic sailing and scenery in between.
Barry Nisbet explains more: “I’ve run Sessions and Sail trips further south for two years now and have always been keen to bring it home and try some trips in Shetland. With Swan being such a well-known Shetland vessel, and having sailed on her regularly myself, I know she will be the perfect boat to partner with.”
The venues for the 2020 Folk Festival have yet to be announced but, with it being their 40th year, the committee are keen to make it bigger and better and it is hoped the voyage will be able to link up with the Festival.
Barry continued: “I always try to make it home for the Folk Festival, it is such a great event in the Shetland calendar. I know many of the committee and am in discussion on how we can link up. While their programme is still to be announced, we hope to take in a Thursday night concert as part of the voyage, and possibly also do something else over the weekend.”
The Swan Trust is working increasingly with partner organisations and, with music and the sea going hand in hand, this partnership is very much linked to their own heritage.
Brian Wishart, Swan Trust Trustee: “We are delighted to be working with Barry to offer his Sessions and Sail experience in the isles. The Swan is no stranger to music sessions, both in its past and present, and this is an excellent partnership. We hope this may become an annual event, adding to the wide range of high-quality music on offer during the Shetland Folk Festival.”
Book your place on the Sessions and Sail trip at: https://sessionsandsail.com/
Our other sailing trips can be booked here
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 moreIn planning an exhibition to mark 125 years since the launch of Swan LK243, Trustees are looking to the Shetland public to loan items for display that would be of interest in charting in the Swan’s history.
Read MoreHave you got what it takes to spend 4 months sailing international waters, making new friends, and supporting crew and passengers aboard a traditional sailing boat; exploring the stunning Shetland coastline and taking part in the world famous Tall Ships Races?
Read More