An article from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
The Tall Ships Races are coming to Aberdeen and there is such a buzz across the city in the lead up to it. The full programme is now available, the Quayside concerts are sold out, there’s posters everywhere and various local shops and venues are gearing up ready for it. The last time this treat sailed into Aberdeen was 1997, which strangely I do not remember as I was studying here at the time, probably I had gone home for the summer holidays!
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From Thursday 18th to Tuesday 22nd July the city will be all about the ships! Whether you are interested in the race results, want to see the “big boats”, plan to take advantage of the special entertainment that has been arranged throughout or just want to get a discount in a local shop or restaurant – the Tall Ships weekend is definitely the time to hit the town! It is billed as Europe’s largest free family event and Scotland’s biggest event in 2025.
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I was already excited to see the Tall Ships this time round. As someone who bought a house in Aberdeenshire with sea views and loves watching for pirates or yachts or dolphins or anything else which may pass by, the thought of seeing these 49 majestic vessels nearby is quite a thrill. I took the programme to show Isabella in Newtonhill and tell her to watch out for them arriving. This gorgeous sculpture was made by “Stonehaven’s Banksy” Jim Malcolm and installed at the top of the cliffs overlooking the bay in 2021.
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There’s also the buzz of local people getting involved “I volunteered to help” and now the Facebook posts of “so proud of my son getting to be a trainee on a Tall Ship.”
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Next up there were various concerts announced and as a live music addict this was very exciting especially as there will be a new temporary venue specifically for these events. There are also going to be 3 stages all day each day with live music so I expect to be running from one to the other trying to maximise my live music opportunities!
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Local venues are getting involved with their own events – Krakatoa have their own concert line up for the weekend including Bombskare (ticket purchase necessary), The Pishy Cloots and The Derry Girls. Meanwhile Drummonds will feature Randolph’s Leap, The Lorelei and The Deadly Winters all for free and open to anyone over 14 years of age.
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I spoke to Ross at Drummonds who said: “we’re really excited to have such a diverse music programme over the Tall Ships weekend here at Drummonds. It’s great to be involved in such an important event in the city and we hope to welcome people from near and far for some great live music.
“It’s all free entry too, so it gives more people the chance to enjoy the amazing talent.
We’ve got four days and nights of brilliant entertainment, whether that be live shows, late night DJs, daytime sessions and we’re also just a laid back late night bar for people to enjoy a night out.
“Aberdeen will be buzzing and we’re proud to be a part of that.”
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By day, I work at Robert Gordon University and the television screens across campus have been inviting us to get involved for months now. Someone I work with said: “It is exciting to see so much interest and hype about it across the city. I have also spoken with colleagues elsewhere in Scotland who have fond memories of the previous event some thirty years ago, or who will be travelling a long way to come along this year, so there is a real feeling that this should be something special. Can’t wait to see it for myself!” Another colleague added: “I’m excited for Tall Ships, I’ve never experienced it and the buzz around town has been huge. The energy is contagious, I’m looking forward to it! Throw in good food and drink and you can’t go wrong.”
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I was involved in a recent university open day and my stall was opposite that of The Tall Ships so I made sure to nip over for a chat. When the face of Dorry, the dolphin mascot, was revealed in The Sun I was thrilled to think “ooh it’s Dylan, I know him”! He has been making many appearances across the city, including popping into Sweet Mumma’s Kitchen to check out their tasty breakfasts. This lovely café is just minutes away from the harbour and a great alternative to the food offerings there which offers a comfortable sit down in its pretty decor, a great place to take a break from the festivities at the weekend!
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The Tall Ships are being engaged with, in so many places and in so many different ways. Go to the Aberdeen Art Centre and they have a display of local people involved in boats in some way, obviously there are no shortage of these in a coastal area like ours with such an emphasis on the oil and fishing industries.
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Although not hosting actual events as part of the weekend, the gorgeous Tivoli Theatre, have explained: “The Tivoli is delighted to welcome members of the public to have the opportunity to visit the theatre and view our auditorium as well as have a coffee or drink in our Museum Bar. Being on the doorstep of the harbour we hope to see both tourists visiting the city as well as locals who may not have been to the Tivoli before. The Tall Ships event is massive for the city and a great way to showcase Aberdeen.”
Aberdeen Whisky Shop are excited for the extra customers it may bring. They are going to open for longer hours each day, and have a stall in with the festivities to maximise the opportunities. Owner Nick said: “We are thrilled to be part of such a special event and can’t wait to share our passion for Scottish spirits with all the Tall Ship participants! It’s an incredible opportunity to celebrate tradition, craftsmanship, and community—see you there for a memorable dram or two!”
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I also spoke to some of the local musicians who are included on the line ups to see just what Tall Ships means to them, other than the chance to get their tunes to some new visitors.
Iona Fyfe, a wonderful Scots singer replied: “The buzz around the Tall Ships is huge. The fact that Aberdeen is the only stop in the UK is brilliant. I can’t wait to be part of such a special event. It’s great for the city and I hope Aberdeen will get a real boost from visitors. Singing songs of the area and performing to an international audience here in my home city will be such a joy!” I have never managed to catch her live so really hope to this time, 1.40pm on Monday on the main stage.
Friday night the main stage will host local legends The Little Kicks supporting the first of the Quayside Concerts with Deacon Blue headlining. I asked Steven Milne what it meant to them and he said: “We are absolutely delighted to be performing as part of the Tall Ships concerts in Aberdeen this Summer. These concerts are undoubtedly going to be a real highlight of the Summer in the city, and it’s a real honour to be part of them. To support Deacon Blue is a dream come true for us because as well as having fond memories of their music soundtracking our youth, they are still a great live band who continue to tour and stay relevant as a well-loved mainstay of Scotland’s musical output. We have always admired them from afar, so to finally share a stage with them to a hometown crowd will be a real privilege and no doubt a very special night for us.”
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Monday night sees the Kaiser Chiefs headline with local rockers Capollos, I caught up with Lloyd McDonald who declared: “We think it’s absolutely massive that the Tall Ships has returned to Aberdeen. It’s such a special occasion for the whole city and we are honoured and privileged to play it.
“It’s great that bands from the city are getting the chance to play with such big names in front of so many people. We hope you’re ready for a fucking show” Having seen them live a few times I know they will live up to that threat/promise!
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I am lucky enough to have attained Media Accreditation for the Tall Ships 2025 and am so excited to go and take it all in. The organisers have been keeping us up to date with all their plans and it really is shaping up to be an amazing experience of a weekend. As their fitting slogan goes: Sea You There!
Further information: https://www.tallshipsaberdeen.com/
Back-To-School Special – July 2025
Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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