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 more8 November 2021
Scott Sandison has received a Shetland Community Spirit Award for his long-term commitment to teaching young people to sail on the Swan.
Scott has a real passion for the Swan, and particularly her youth sail training work. Scott said: “I was really surprised and humbled to receive this award, and would like to thank whoever nominated me. I learned to sail on the Swan and am proud to now be standing at the helm teaching a new generation. Sail Training is about much more than learning to sail, it builds confidence, independence, team working, communication skills, friendships, and mental and physical wellbeing. Seeing how our young trainees develop in confidence and skills during a trip is truly rewarding. I value the opportunities the Swan has given me and others, and this award shows that my efforts aboard the Swan are also appreciated.”
Brian Wishart, Trustee with the Swan Trust, said: “Having come up though all stages of his sail training with the Swan, we have known Scott since he was in primary school. He sailed with us as a youth trainee and then as crew, in both voluntary and paid roles. Over the years we have seen him grow in confidence and skills, working towards his skippers tickets and then leading the crew as the skipper of the Swan. He engages with people of all ages with enthusiasm and a passion for sail training. We were particularly impressed by him this year, when he skippered the Swan for many of our trips, and from the feedback we received from schools, youth groups, passengers and crew, they were too. To have someone external to the Trust nominate him for this award is really special, as is shows how much his efforts are appreciated by the public.”
Run by Voluntary Action Shetland, this is the second year of the awards, which celebrate volunteering and community support and give people the opportunity to say thank you to someone they thought went above and beyond in helping others out.
Congratulations to all the Shetland Community Spirt Award recipients.
Find out more about Scott's work with the Trust
Scott has been involved in many of the Swan Trust's sail training accolades, including being awarded Sail Training International's Young Sail Trainer of the Year in 2014.
Follow these links to donate or volunteer with the Trust.
Find out more about opportunities with the Swan through our What Swan Means to Me Features:
Anyone can sail on Swan, for details of trips available to book check out our upcoming trips
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