Sutherland youngsters set sail for adventure of a lifetime in Tall Ships Races
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Twelve youngsters from across Caithness and Sutherland have headed off for the adventure of a lifetime to join the Tall Ships Races.
They are currently at sea, visiting ports in Norway and Scotland before arriving in Shetland on Wednesday. Lerwick is the host port for the 2023 Tall Ships Races.
The 12 young people being given the opportunity to get involved with the event through Sail Training Scotland are: Marina Krivushkina, Thurso; Felix Taggart, Thurso; Anastasiia Pylypchuk, Thurso; Mackenzie Beaton, Halkirk; Connor Herrick, Bower; Kian Lamb, Wick; Lena Forbes, Wick; Megan Sutherland, Wick; Nicholas Mann, Ulbster; Sam Morrison, Bonar Bridge; Molly Burnett, Loch Eriboll; and Maria Strang, Lochinver.
This is the first year the initiative has been granted to young people in Caithness and Sutherland, thanks to sponsorship made possible by Scrabster Harbour Trust, Pentland Floating Offshore Windfarm and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North Highland.
The intrepid young trainees joined crews aboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl and Roald Amundsen ships to take part in the Cruise in Company journey, departing from Fredrikstad, Norway and visiting guest harbours along the Norwegian and Scottish coast before arriving at Lerwick.
The Sail Training initiative is designed to inspire self-confidence and teamwork, enabling participants to confront many demanding challenges, both physical and emotional. The skills and attributes achieved on board are designed to enhance their employability skills through hands-on learning and real-life experience.
Their voyage, part of the legendary Tall Ships Races, is part of a spectacular event which will see an international fleet of tall ships, small ships and yachts join this maritime festival exploring the North Sea. During their adventure, trainees receive instruction in all aspects of sail training as embedded crew members and will have the opportunity to take part in an array of special events organised by guest harbours and host ports along the way.
This year, Sail Training Shetland has partnered with harbours around Scotland including Scrabster, Orkney, Aberdeen, Stornoway, Montrose and Ullapool, to place 100 trainees from across the country on eight different vessels taking part in the races.
The far north participants were flown from Wick to Aberdeen last weekend to start their journey to Norway, thanks to sponsorship from Highland Council and Eastern Airways, which operates the Wick-Aberdeen public service obligation flights.
Nicola Innes, DYW North Highland lead, said: “This unique experience will uncover hidden strengths and talents, build new friendships, and increase self-confidence whilst working as a team throughout this amazing adventure. We wish the trainees a happy sailing and look forward to hearing all of their amazing stories when they return.”
Trudy Morris, CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the young people taking part. It is sure to build their confidence and provide invaluable transferable skills which will aid them tremendously in their next steps into the world of work."
Tom Pottinger, chairman of Scrabster Harbour Trust, added: “Given this is the first time that the scheme has been offered to young people from Caithness and Sutherland, to have 12 individuals participating is fantastic. We wish to thank the organisers in Shetland and Caithness for their hard work in making this opportunity possible. We will be watching the trainees' progress with interest and look forward to their feedback when they return.”
