Tall Ships crews say fond farewell to Aberdeen

Teenage trainees Mya, Katherine, Freya and Mia with mentor Toby on their tall ship

Crews have been saying a fond farewell to Aberdeen after the spectacular Tall Ships event in the city attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators.

The event - described as Scotland's biggest tourism event this year - began on Saturday, featuring almost 50 majestic vessels from around the world.

The ships left on Tuesday with many excited new, young crew members for the onward journey to Norway.

Organisers believe there may have been at least 400,000 people at the Tall Ships - and hope the event can return in the "not too distant" future.

The long weekend of celebrations in Aberdeen included a display by the Red Arrows on Monday night.

Thousands of people witnessed the mid-air spectacular, despite some views being clouded by fog.

Christian Radich made an impressive sight sailing from Aberdeen

However the sun came out for the final day, as visitors returned to wave the ships off.

There were cries of "Bon Voyage" and "hip hip hooray" from the crowds.

The Red Arrows performed on Monday night

The races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people.

Many new crew members joined the boats for the next leg of the Tall Ships races over to Norway.

Among them were Aberdeen girls Mya, Katherine, Mia, who are all 15, and 16-year-old Freya.

They are on board the Netherlands tall ship Eendracht for nine days, with mentor Toby Maddams from Peterhead.

"I'm really looking forward to sailing for the first time," Mya told BBC Scotland News on the deck, before departing.

"It's a really good new experience."

Freya said: "I am looking forward to going to Norway with my new friends, it should be fun. This is my first time sailing. Everyone has been so nice on the boat.

"I'm nervous about sleeping, and sea-sickness."

They joked that mentor Toby would be their "boat mum".

'It has been awe-inspiring'

Adrian Watson from Aberdeen Inspired - a business organisation which promotes investment in the city centre - said the Tall Ships event had exceeded all expectations.

"To see hundreds of thousands descend upon our wonderful city has been so impressive ," he told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland.

"We feel confident that we will be on or around 400,000-plus.

"It has been awe-inspiring, and it's meant so much to the people of Aberdeen."

The quayside has been awash with visitors

He said the major Union Square shopping centre had broken its footfall records at the weekend - reaching 78,685 on Saturday and 61,682 on Sunday.

"Most large towns and cities are going through a very difficult time - this has been such a success," Mr Watson said.

"We'd be very keen to see them come back."

Aleksander - with mum Dominika - got some tall snaps of the tall ships

People gathered at the harbour entrance to watch the shops depart, including Aleksander and his mum Dominika.

Aleksander said the ships were "colourful" and "beautiful".

He said he would like to go on one when he is older and added: "They are big and I can have my sleeping corner and see the whole sea and different ships.''

Edith Stuart said there was lots of waving

Edith Stuart also watched the ships from the Torry Battery.

She said: "They're so beautiful and when you see them with the sails up as they're going out, it's a sight from yesteryear really.

"It's beautiful. The people on board have been waving.''

A street parade was held on Sunday

Deacon Blue kicked off the event on Friday night with a harbourside gig.

The main Tall Ships event then opened to the public on Saturday morning, followed a Ministry of Sound classical concert in the evening.

Sunday saw crews parade through the streets, and Monday featured a Kaiser Chiefs gig in the evening.

Tall Ships Aberdeen was billed as Europe's largest free family event, with almost 50 ships taking part.

About 2,000 international crew members attended from as far afield as Uruguay and Oman.

Aberdeen had previously hosted the prestigious event in 1991 and 1997.