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Events

The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025

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The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025

Aberdeen burst into life in July 2025 when the arrived in the city, bringing 45 vessels and hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region to enjoy Europe’s largest free family event.  

As a proud partner, we were pleased to support an initiative that celebrated heritage, sustainability, youth development and the spirit of international collaboration - values that sit at the heart of our University.

We very much hope to see the Tall Ships Races back in Aberdeen again in the future! 

Festival of the Sea

We were part of a packed programme of maritime-themed events which took place in and around Aberdeen before, during and after the Tall Ships visit. You can find out more about the range of University activities available via the links below. 

12 July
Old book with map
Map-making Workshop

Join the University Collections team and make your mark on a collaborative map of the sea by drawing islands, ships or whatever else you can imagine at this free event!
20 July
A group of smiling people in a room
Polish-Scottish Songs of the Sea

The Polish-Scottish Song Group, co-ordinated by the Elphinstone Institute, will sing traditional songs of the sea from Poland and Scotland that reflect the long-lasting nautical relationship between the two countries.
21 July
a tall ship on the ocean at sunset watched by silhouetted people on shore
Tall Ships, Science & Society

Who should own the ocean and the products derived from it?
22 July
A drawing of a sea monster on an old map
Sea Monsters on Medieval & Renaissance Maps

Ever wondered why some of the earliest maps and atlases feature fantastical sea creatures? Cartography historian Chet van Duzer gives an online talk about these legendary creatures.
24 July
A ship in Aberdeen harbour
PechaKucha - Aberdeen: Powered by the Sea

Explore Aberdeen's connections to the maritime environment and its impact on the city today as researchers deliver a PechaKucha talk.

The Discovery Zone

Researchers from across the University showcased their work related to the sea, marine wildlife and coastal communities at the dedicated Discovery Zone in Aberdeen’s Castlegate through fun, interactive, hands-on activities.

19 July
cooked fish on a plate

Explore where the fish we eat comes from and its role in our diets.
20 July
Dolphins in the sea

Discover marine mammals, Doric and the role of the oceans in creating medicines
21 July
Underwater life growing on a structure

Board the HMS UoA with activities about scurvy and the marine life which thrives on offshore structures.
22 July
A Chinese tall ship viewed from the land

Step into the rich world of Chinese culture with fun, hands-on activities.

Visiting the city? Add our historic campus to your tour

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre and visit our beautiful historic campus in Old Aberdeen.

Kings College Chapel exterior viewed through a fisheye lens
King’s College

King’s College us the ancient heart of the University. Take a photo in the quad and visit King’s College Chapel, our oldest building, dating back to our foundation in 1495.
A lush garden with lots of plants and flowers
Cruickshank Botanic Garden

The beautiful and peaceful Botanic Garden is free to enter and located in Old Aberdeen. The main entrance is on The Chanonry, close to St Machar’s Cathedral.
Stuffed tiger in the Zoology Museum
Museums

The Old Aberdeen campus contains several publicly accessible museum spaces housing collections covering various areas of cultural and historic interest.
Old Aberdeen High Street sign
Visitor Centre

Be sure to pop past our Visitor Centre at 110 High Street to find out more and pick up some branded 51cg merchandise to commemorate your visit.

Tall Ships News

Female student in front of a tall ship
Morven sets sail - for a second time

Psychological Studies postgraduate student to set sail on the Tall Ships again
Young man standing in front of tall ships banners
It's smooth-sailing thanks to Kyle's handy Tall Ships guide

Business Management and Geography student was tasked with collating the official Sail Trainee Handbook
Two young women stand near the finish line of a marathon
Leia swaps scrubs for sails to support Tall Ships

Locum Emergency Medicine consultant Dr Leia Kane will be part of a crack team of medics on stand-by
A patch of ocean viewed from above
Rodney navigates the unknown by charting Tall Ships carbon footprint

A student intern is making waves in the maritime sustainability sector by helping calculate the carbon footprint of the Races
Podcats cover image - ships on ocean and text: Aberdeen Tall Ships: Dockside Sirs
University research showcased in Tall Ships podcast

Find out about some of the amazing research at the University in the behind-the-scenes podcast Tall Ships Aberdeen: Dockside Diaries