Scanned Images of the 4 day visit of the tall ships race to Aberdeen, Scotland

In 1991 the annual Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race came to Aberdeen and transformed the city’s skyline.

The Race in 1991 visited Milford Haven 11 - 14 July, Cork 17 - 20 July, Belfast 23 - 27 July, Aberdeen 4 - 8 August and Delfzijl in Holland 13 - 17 August.

More than 310,000 people came to the Aberdeen quayside to see the vessels.

The race attracted dozens of ships to the harbour and saw four days of events (Aug 4 – 8), including Red Arrows display, Horse Guards Parade, Viking Parade, Pipe Band, clog dancing performances, art competitions and fireworks.

1997 saw the race return for another four-day stint, but despite council plans it hasn’t returned since.

The event is still annually organised by Sailing Training International and takes the vessels several hundred nautical miles across European waters.

The British Isles is a maritime nation with a great history of being a global sea power.  

Traditionally aimed to have a navy that was equal in strength to the next two in the world until WW1.

In 1815 at the Battle of Trafalgar, those serving in the British Fleet comprised of 12,419 men of which 610 were from other countries and 895 from Scotland. 61 from Grampian area and 5 from Kincardine. 66 in total. Coincidentally there were 66 ships enter Aberdeen in the 1991 Tall Ships Race!

Having worked at the harbour for the previous 12 years, to step out of the harbour office to a scene from Monaco was incredible. However, even better because everyone there had a smile and excitement about seeing the ships. People of all ages and races where there, a warm positive ambiance, for all the family. The larger ships were allowing visits by the public, new recruits were being trained, kiosks at the quayside were doing great trade. Helicopters with press or visitors overhead also the historical Dakota was doing short flights from Dyce to overfly.

The Horseguards and Vikings were a bit of a surprise and the Red Arrows performing their aerial precision formation flying overhead. The fireworks at the beach launched from the end of the North Pier were quite something. Although only lasting around 15 minutes and people coming from miles around to see it and get into position. Their quality had never been seen before in Aberdeen and rather that complain about the short duration the crowds cheered in appreciation, what a magical atmosphere that evening.

The Parade of Sail on the last day was incredible bringing to life the era of sail, the Thermopylae being the most famous clipper built in Aberdeen and record holder of the shortest voyage time in the China tea trade. The majestic Mir, Eendracht, Alexander Von Humboldt and Asgard II raised plenty of sail as requested by the organisers, as they departed the harbour entrance.

I hope you enjoy seeing these photos and perhaps bringing back memories of these amazing 4 days.

Zawisza Czarny the first vessel to arrive, with engine trouble and low funds they sang and performed on the quayside to raise enough money for repairs.

The Malcolm Miller is a sistership of the three-mast schooner Sir Winston Churchill designed by Camper & Nicholsons. She was built by John Lewis & Sons in Aberdeen and having served many years as a sail training ship now converted into a private yacht.

Malcolm Millar in the Navigation Channel

Malcolm Millar heading for its berth at Regent Quay deep water berth

Eendracht of the Netherlands lines up to enter port

Eendracht sail training ship from the Netherlands.

Mir from Russia and Aberdeen Harbour tug Sea Griffon

Mir under control of the tugs Sea Trojan and Sea Griffon enters port

Mir under control of the tugs Sea Trojan and Sea Griffon enters port

Mir in the Turning Basin with Roundhouse and welcoming crowds

Dar Mlodziezy from Poland arrives and awaits pilot and tugs to assist

Dar Mlodziezy approaches the harbour entrance

Dar Mlodziezy enters the Tidal Harbour with roundhouse and welcoming crowds

Greater Manchester Challenge was the only vessel to reach its berth under sail. However as you can see by the exhaust the engine was on standby.

Polish sail training ship Iskra on maintenance before entering

Iskra lines up to enter port

Training off Seaton

Excelsior training new crew members in the bay

Excelsior crew enjoying a brew

Malcolm Millar in the bay on crew training

Malcolm Millar crew learning the ropes

Malcolm Millar training with crewmen on the mainsail yard

Malcolm Millar training all disciplines aboard

Crowds at the quayside by Mir

Brass band entertains the crowd

Crowds on Trinity and Upper quays look over the boats and kiosks

Crowds on and by the Dar Mlodziezy and busy port operations in the background

Dar Mlodziezy and Alexander Von Humboldt with Marischal Street and granite city skyline

Dar Mlodziezy crew training aloft with Salvation Army Citadel in the background

Moored boats at the quayside from the floating pontoon

Looking over the ships at quayside

Regina Germania and Grey Girl in the passing crowd

Visitors aboard and passing by the Mir

Looks like party time aboard the Dar Mlodziezy

Monte Carlo like scenes at Aberdeen Harbour UK Offshore Oil Support Capital

Offshore supply boat comes to have a closer look at the ships

Taikoo, Malcolm Millar, Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Nelson

The Horseguards from London paraded down Union Street, Marischal Street and on to the quayside.

The Vikings from Orkney and Shetlands showed another form of maritime history, though these were a bit more friendly that the earlier raiders

A pipe band marched and played a welcome to the fleet

The RNLI Lifeboat BP Forties with inshore lifeboat and air sea rescue helicopter off the beach

A Red Arrows Hawk jet

Red Arrows display during the Parade of Sail as seen from the beach Esplanade

Fireworks display with crowds at the Torry Battery

Fireworks display with crowds at the Torry Battery

Press helicopter which overflew the fleet most days

DC3 Dakota flew above the city specifically covering the event

Starting gun on the South Breakwater

Malcolm Millar departs with spectators by the Roundhouse and Torry

Malcolm Millar and crowd on the Balnagask Golf Course

Sir Winston Churchill departs with the RNLI Lifeboat BP Forties

Eendracht departs with the Pilot Cutter

Lord Nelson departs to join the others amassing in the bay

Mir passing the Roundhouse

Mir joins the ships in the bay

Mir approaching supply boat and water cannons

Harbour Tug Sea Griffon, Mir, Pilot Cutty and Lifeboat BP Forties

Iskra departs with crew lining the deck in uniform

Alexander Von Humboldt departs to join the fleet

Asgard II departs with crowds on the seafront watching, sadly today now on the sea bottom in the Bay of Biscay after hitting a submerged object!

Two Polish boats depart with watchers on the golf course

German boat Grey Girl departs with crowds at the Torry Battery

Dar Mlodziezy departs with crowds lining the North Pier

Hendryk Rutkowski departs with crew on the yards and rigging

Hendryk Rutkowski’s departure seen from the beach

Patrol boat HMS Archer joins the ships in the bay

Stoutheart and the RNLI inshore lifeboat

P&O ferry St Sunniva amid the ships in the bay

Ships gather in the bay before the signal to start the race

Details of the 66 ships that took part in 1991

The Cutty Sark in Greenwich, London

HMS Victory in Portsmouth

3/4 scale replica of the Golden Hind when she visited Aberdeen in 1980s