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 more13 February 2023
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. The Swan will also be undertaking charters in Shetland, Orkney, Norway and Faroe as well as the Tall Ships Races, which this year will see them visit the Netherlands, Hartlepool, Norway and Lerwick.
Trips on offer in Shetland include day trips from Lerwick and Walls, weekend trips around Shetland’s mainland and from Shetland to Orkney, and a four day trip from Lerwick, going where the weather takes you! In addition to this, they have partnered with local musician Barry Nisbet to offer his Sessions and Sail experience in the isles for the second year in a row.
If you fancy the challenge of a longer trip out with Shetland, there are two on offer:
The first will explore the Swan’s past. On the Herring Trail is a 10 night trip from Shetland to Anstruther, visiting ports of significance to the historic and present day herring industries along the way. In each port there will be an activity exploring this industry and showcasing its importance to the Scottish economy, heritage and culture.
The second will take passengers on A North Sea Adventure, from Anstruther, Scotland to Den Helder, Netherlands. This 6 night trip allows plenty of time to explore the Danish Coast and ports, before sailing into Den Helder as the Tall Ships Fleet prepares to take part in the Tall Ships Races 2023.
Along with all this, there will be crew training days and local school, youth and community group trips. Last year the Swan welcomed members from a number of local groups, including Ability Shetland, Alzheimer’s Scotland, the Lerwick Boating Club Junior Sailing Trainees and Moving On Employment Project. The Swan Trust would like to welcome even more local groups aboard in 2024. To enquire about chartering the Swan for your group, please contact us.
Maggie Adamson will again be at the Helm as Skipper, with Scott Sandison as Mate and Anja Kurtz as Bosun. Having all initially come aboard Swan as school pupils/trainees, and up through their maritime training with the vessel, they are all experienced sailors well acquainted with the Swan.
David Goodlad, Chair of the Swan Trust, said: “We have always attracted a range of passengers, both local and from further afield and we hope our 2023 diary will appeal to both. We are very much looking forward to a full sailing season, and taking part in the entire Tall Ships Races series with young trainees aboard. With youth sail training being at the heart of the Trust, we are also delighted to have a number of youth charters, both within and out with Shetland, and a crew who are all previous trainees of the Swan.”
For details of all 2023 trips available to book, check out our upcoming trips
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.
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