Marine / Boats begin to arrive for Tall Ships
BOATS taking part in the Tall Ships Races have begun arriving in Shetland ahead of the main Lerwick event this coming week.
Some are already in the North Isles, with Baltasound and Cullivoe two cruise in company guests ports. The Sail Yell festival begun today (Sunday) and is due to run through to Tuesday.
One has arrived in Scalloway – the Norway based Boy Leslie, a Class B, Gaff Ketch which was launched in 1911.
The vessel was built in Galmpton in Devon as a fishing trawler, then sold to Norway in 1939 where it was converted to a motor coaster and renamed Ekstrand.
Over a lengthy period of the time the vessel – owned by a non-profit trust – was restored back to a sailing boat, and Boy Leslie was retained the original name.
Speaking to Shetland News on Sunday afternoon, skipper Andreas Løvdal – who has been a volunteer with the boat for more than a decade – said there were ten people on board including three from Scotland.
The crew started its journey at the beginning of July and headed from Norway to Inverness before going through the Caledonian Canal and traveling up the north west of Scotland to the Northern Isles.
There will be a crew change in Shetland before the boat joins the Tall Ships Races for the leg between Lerwick and Arendal, her home port.
Løvdal said the trip to Shetland was “cold, but alright” – with the team looking forward to taking part in the Tall Ships festivities including the crew parade on Wednesday.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
