August 22, 2025
/
Highland RFCA had the pleasure of attending Tall Ships Aberdeen: The Tall Ships Races over the weekend of 18 to 20 July, with the popular event returning to the city following a 28-year absence.
We kicked off a day early on 18 July – one day before the four days of official Tall Ships events got under way – with an Employer Engagement visit to a Royal Navy ship.
Selected local employers were invited to visit HMS Mersey, a Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel berthed at Waterloo Quay in support of the event.
Employers before going aboard HMS Mersey.
Guests enjoyed an informative tour of the vessel, with opportunities to interact with the crew and to discuss the importance of employers supporting Armed Forces personnel, including those who are members of the Royal Naval Reserve.
Aberdeenshire Council HR Manager Glenda Gray and Council Deputy Provost and Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Ron McKail, in front of HMS Mersey. Glenda is also Highland RFCA’s Northern Area Committee Vice Chair and Employer Representative Member.
The visitors came from a variety of Armed Forces Covenant signatories and holders of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards at various levels (as listed):
Aberdeenshire Council (Gold)
Aberdeen Laundry Services (Bronze)
Altrad Integrity Services Limited (Silver)
Atlas Professionals UK Ltd (Bronze)
Flotation Energy Ltd (Silver)
Hydrasun Limited (Bronze)
Port of Aberdeen (Silver)
Lynn Taylor of Aberdeen Laundry Services gets to grips with the 20mm gun on HMS Mersey.
Visitors in the HMS Mersey wardroom.
19 July saw us setting up the Highland RFCA gazebo at the event’s Military Village situated at Union Terrace Gardens. There we joined static and interactive displays provided by the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force (RAF).
The Highland RFCA gazebo at the Military Village.
Popular attractions included an RAF Chinook helicopter and fitness challenges provided by both the Royal Marines and Army.
The Military Village within Union Terrace Gardens.
The RAF Chinook was a very popular attraction.
Despite the weather being a challenge over the course of the weekend, Saturday remained largely dry and saw thousands of visitors enjoying the Military Village, with large queues forming at all the entry points. The extremely successful event attracted visitors from all over the UK as well as internationally, with all Armed Forces representatives leaving a positive impression on visitors.
The wider event – described as Scotland’s largest tourist event of 2025 – saw more than 400,000 visitors enjoying Tall Ships from across the globe. Around 50 ships made the trip to Aberdeen, bringing around 2,000 crew members from as far afield as Peru, Uruguay and Oman.
Polish ship STS Pogoria arriving in Aberdeen.
The party atmosphere included live music, parades and a flypast from the Red Arrows.
The Sea Cadets flagship Training Ship Royalist was berthed in the city during the event, with the 24 cadets onboard temporarily swapping the high seas for haute cuisine during a visit to the ship from top local chef Kevin Dalgleish. The cadets helped Kevin produce seafood dishes for the crew.
The event ended on 22 July with the ships leaving the port during a ‘Parade of Sail’ before setting course for Norway as The Tall Ships Races continue.
