Over 8,000 people visited Stornoway harbour over the past few days to see a fleet
of 23 tall ships including traditional-
The boats called in enroute to the main Tall Ships Race event in Shetland.
Since Thursday, passengers on the Lewis ferry were thrilled to receive close-
A forest of masts and rigging soaring into the air was reminiscence of a common sight seen in Stornoway some 100 years ago when Scottish herring drifters and Baltic sailing clippers would congregate for the fishing season.
Hundreds of spectators lined the harbour and more watched from the cliffs at Holm
and Arnish to watch the large 2,385 tonnes Russian-
The coastguard helicopter, Stornoway rescue helicopter and coastguard tug Anglian Sovereign put on a display by Arnish lighthouse for the crowds while a flotilla of island yachts, leisure craft and traditional Hebridean sail fishing sgoths darted across the bay.
The Mir’s captain was cautious in easing astern off the berth at Number 2 pier in case her protruding anchor platform got damaged. The strong breeze hampered her turning under her limited engine power used for harbour manoeuvring.
But Gaelic sailors of yore would have claimed it was Russian’s breach of the old
custom of a’ dol deiseal -
A packed events programme organised by Tall Ships Hebrides and led by Stornoway Port
Authority kept spectators and crew of the ships occupied over the weekend. The celebrations
saw the arrival and departure of twenty-
An array of events including a samba band, music concert, pipe band, Gaelic choirs and a 5k fun run entertained the international crews adding to the feast of activities from the Hebridean Celtic Festival.
The most popular event for the Tall Ships crew was the archery on Friday evening which had around fifty people taking part.
The Tall Ships Marquee, at South Beach, was busy throughout the weekend with musical concerts and cooking demonstrations.
Some of the teenage Lewis’ trainees aboard the tall ships were among those who stopped in Stornoway en route to Lerwick. Local crew members on board the Pelican of London were treated to breakfast on board the ship with their parents.
It was the island’s busiest period of the year. Over 2,200 people travelled on the ferry from Ullapool over the weekend and Stornoway’s tourist information office received over 1,800 visits throughout the week.
Thousands visit Tall Ships at Stornoway harbour 18/7/11
