It was a carnival which definitely lived up to the hype: the weekend 25 years ago when the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race made its mark on Aberdeen and transformed the city into a thriving tourist hotspot.
In advance, the organisers had said: “You can’t describe it, but you can experience it”, and an amazing party atmosphere enveloped the north-east environs with more than 50,000 people flocking to the harbour to witness the magnificent spectacle.
Think of The Onedin Line or the novels of CS Hornblower and multiply it by ten or 20 and you can understand the exhilaration which swept through the streets as spectators, both local and international, were caught up in a frenzy as the majestic vessels arrived.
The city council confirmed last week it is submitting a bid to host the 2025 Tall Ships event, in partnership with the Port of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Inspired.
And, although that will involve plenty of preparation and hard work, the positive impact which the event had in both tourism and economic terms can hardly be overstated.
Nor can the feeling of sheer joy which engulfed many residents as a transcendent armada sailed deep into the heart – and heartstrings – of Scotland’s oldest working port.
One local, Mary Mountford, told the Press & Journal: “They’re beautiful, aren’t they? They make your heart soar. We came hours ago to get a good view, and it’s worth it.”
Visitors from all over the world and thousands of Aberdeen residents congregated for a non-stop party and to admire the biggest-ever gathering of tall ships in one place.
Massive buzz
It not only created a massive buzz in the city, but boosted the north-east economy by more than £10 million as an estimated 550,000 people descended on the Granite City in one of the rare occasions where everything – the planning, the stewarding, the public’s behaviour, the quality of the facilities and amenities and, of course, the weather – joined forces as the catalyst for one of history’s precious few happy invasions.
And nobody who turned up for the festivities went away disappointed.
The Evening Express amply captured the sense of excitement and expectation – and even a hint of the stampede which ensued – as the myriad ships approached the harbour.
The paper said: “Early birds, who arrived before the masses, stopped alongside berthed vessels to watch crews scrubbing the decks or hanging out washing. Others broke language barriers to chat to the sailors from home and abroad as they drank tea and coffee and ate breakfast before getting ready for action.
“As the early morning haar cleared on Saturday [July 12], the sun made a timely appearance while the event was officially opened. A steady stream of vessels, large and small, sailed into port during the morning to proudly take their place as part of the international fleet and they were all cheered loudly by the audience.
Plenty of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’
“Security was forced to close the quayside entrance gates several times in the interests of public safety as thousands of people brought crowds to gridlock.
“Instead of road rage, there was pavement rage as people fought a place on the tarmac as if it was the start of the January sales. But it was all pretty good-humoured.
“The star attraction of the weekend – the 360ft full square-rigged Russian ship Mir – made a dramatic entrance through the mist and there were plenty of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ when she emerged into her full glory. Hundreds queued alongside Waterloo Quay for a chance to step on board the magnificent vessel.”
It had only been six years since the Tall Ships had previously come to Aberdeen. But this was on a much grander scale than the sojourn in 1991.
There was unanimous feeling, amid the mass crowds of people from across Europe and as far afield as South America, the United States and Australia, that the proceedings had been an outstanding success, whether in the gasps which greeted the Tall Ships, or the entertainment on display, including music and a giant fireworks display.
What the city could offer ‘when everybody pulled together’
The Press & Journal described it as an illustration of what the city could offer “when everybody pulled together” and similar sentiments were expressed by the organisers, who admitted later they could hardly have anticipated such a raucous welcome.
Operations manager John Ling said he was thrilled by how matters had worked out and confirmed he and his team were overwhelmed by the positive feedback they received.
He added: “The whole thing has been wonderful, it has exceeded our expectations, and congratulations must go to the huge crowds who have been incredibly supportive.
“The carnival and festival atmosphere reminds me of the Mediterranean and it has been something which none of us will ever forget.”
Boost to local economy
Once the flotilla had moved on, there was a genuine air of positivity in Aberdeen with Lord Provost Margaret Farquhar claiming it should be “ready for anything” in the future and be proud of its status as an international city.
She added: “The race has been a great boost to the local economy. Most city traders have done even better than they thought they would in advance and businesses throughout the city and beyond have felt the benefit of the Tall Ships effect.
“A lot of the credit has to go to the people of the city who have been so welcoming and friendly to everybody who has come here for this great event. They really bought into it and we should be looking to host other large events like this on a regular basis.”
The scenes of smiling faces and throngs of happy people from 25 years ago are a reminder that the north-east has many things in its favour.
And, come 2025, if the latest bid is given the go-ahead, there will also be the opportunity for visitors to gain a special view of the Tall Ships from the newly-created facilities at Greyhope Bay.
Labour group leader Sandra Macdonald added: “We are full-square behind the bid to bring the Tall Ships back to Aberdeen.
“We first floated the idea back in 2017, and we’re delighted that all parties have now come on board. We want to build on this opportunity and, with a fair wind, Aberdeen can make an absolutely convincing bid.”
Let’s hope she is right and the city can set sail on another uplifting adventure.
Conversation