Tall Ships Races: Everything you need to know about Aberdeen 2025

Sorlandet is one of the many impressive tall ships taking part

The final countdown is on for the start of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen, which organisers predict will be the biggest tourist event in Scotland this year.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to watch as dozens of vessels from around the world take part.

Aberdeen previously hosted the prestigious event in 1991 and 1997.

The races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people in the art of sailing.

When is the Tall Ships Races and how many vessels are taking part?

The event - which is billed as Europe's largest free family event - will run from Saturday 19 July until Tuesday 22 July.

Almost 50 ships have been confirmed as taking part in the four-day extravaganza.

Aberdeen previously hosted the event twice in the 1990s

The vessels are divided into four classes, ranging from large sailing ships to smaller single-masted boats.

They are expected to start arriving in Aberdeen on Friday, having competed against each other on the journey from France, before the public event begins properly on Saturday.

They will then remain in the Granite City until Tuesday, when they will sail on to Norway.

Where is the best place to see the tall ships in Aberdeen?

Dozens of tall ships will be in Aberdeen

The ships will be berthed in Waterloo Quay, Regent Quay, Trinity Quay, Upper Quay, Jamieson's Quay and Blaikies Quay.

Full details of where each ship will be can be found here.

The main entrance to the harbour area will be via Marischal Street. Many of the ships will be open to visitors during their time in Aberdeen.

Which is the tallest tall ship taking part?

Dar Mlodziezy, from Poland, is 43 years old

Tall ship Dar Mlodziezy, from Poland, is 62.5m (205ft) high.

Her name means "the gift of youth".

Dar Mlodziezy was built in 1982, and made her Tall Ships debut in the same year.

Which tall ship is sailing the furthest?

BAP Union flies the Peru flag

The BAP Union is coming to Aberdeen from Peru.

BAP Union's sailing distance from Callao to Aberdeen is about 7,500 nautical miles (13,890km).

As well as being the longest traveller, BAP Union is also the newest tall ship taking part, having been built in 2015.

At the other end of the scale, Christiania is 130 years old, having been built in 1895 - 120 years earlier than BAP Union.

How many people will be involved in Aberdeen?

Hundreds of volunteers have been recruited to help stage the event, which is expected to attract about "400,000 visits" - an estimate which includes repeat visits.

There will be about 2,000 international crew members taking part, from as far afield as Uruguay and Oman.

What other entertainment will there be?

Four days of events are planned

Aberdeen will be turned into a "party city", according to the event's organisers.

Gigs by Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs are already sold out, as is a Ministry of Sound Classical event.

Additional attractions will include free live music, and street food stalls.

Aside from the main names, other acts include Tide Lines, Calum Bowie, Glasvegas, Brooke Combe, Little Kicks, Capollos and Look Busy Collective.

Visitors can meet Dorry the dolphin

The event organisers say there will also be a "vibrant" line-up of live music, including Scottish trad, jazz, Afrobeat, hip hop, and Latin soul.

The line-up also features local choirs as well as youth ensembles.

Young children will be catered for with attractions at a family zone at Blaikie's Quay, including a giant sandpit.

People can also get their picture taken with Tall Ships Aberdeen mascot, Dorry the Dolphin, during the festival.

What is the best way to travel to Tall Ships Aberdeen and will there be road closures?

Aberdeen city centre is expected to be extremely busy with thousands of spectators each day.

The organisers are recommending that spectators use public transport or car share if coming into Aberdeen, and that those staying locally could walk or cycle.

Four regular Park and Ride services will be in operation from Bridge of Don, Craibstone, P&J Live, and Kingswells.

Road closures and parking restrictions will be place on streets around Aberdeen harbour during the course of the event.

Castle Street, King Street, Marischal Street, Regent Quay, Blaikies Quay and Regent Road are among those affected.

Pocra Quay and New Pier Road in Footdee are open to business and resident access only.

What have local children been doing to prepare?

Remy is among the children looking forward to the event

P4 children at Hazlehead Primary have been among the Aberdeen school pupils studying Tall Ships.

Eight-year-old Remy said: "I am so excited about the Tall Ships.

"I've been learning about the boats, they all have big sails."

The children have been playing sailing-themed music

Kayla has enjoyed drawing Tall Ships and learning about sailing

Kayla, nine, added: "We've been learning about the Bermuda Triangle and the Titanic.

"I think it would be cold to sail in the sea, and smell a bit fishy and salty."

What's the weather forecast for the weekend?

The current forecast for Saturday is 19C and dry. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are also expected to be warm but there could well be rain too.

You can keep up to date with the latest BBC weather forecast here.