The residents of Peterhead are no strangers to impressive seafaring vessels but were treated to a special sight this week – a Dutch tall ship.
The Wylde Swan is the largest two-masted schooner in the world and is used as a training ship for young sailors around the globe.
Throughout the summer, the stunning tall ship has been touring the coast of Scotland and in July visited the island of St Kilda.
Now on its way to Rotterdam, the vessel arrived in Peterhead on Tuesday for a glamorous evening event.
She remained berthed in Peterhead harbour near the Queenie Bridge until yesterday afternoon, attracting dozens of boating enthusiasts, photographers and curious locals.
Skipper Jeroen Peters said he and his crew had enjoyed the hospitality of the Blue Toon.
“We’re a training ship, we usually are teaching young people navigation and maintenance,” he said. “So Peterhead is a fishing port and a very different place to be but the people have been fantastic.
“I think the Wylde Swan has been the talk of the town.”
Mr Peters explained that his vessel is thought to be the largest top sail schooner currently sailing the oceans. He added: “There really aren’t too many around nowadays.”
Peter MacDonald, who sailed on the Wylde Swan earlier this year, described his trip on the historic schooner as a unique experience.
Mr MacDonald- who lives in Findochty in Moray, said: “In July I sailed on her from Ullapool to the island of St Kilda along with various locations in the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
“Over the four days we were blessed with some fantastic weather. During my time on board I made lots of friends, many of them from the north-east of Scotland.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing this fantastic ship again.”
From the Netherlands, the Wylde Swan is the world’s largest topsail schooner, rebuilt in 2010 and fitted out as a sail-training vessel crewed by sailing tutors.
She was originally built as a German steam ship in 1920, designed to transport catches from the herring fleet quickly to market.
Today she boasts space for up to 130 day passengers, and berths for 36 on longer voyages.