Aberdeen’s Festival of the Sea celebrations continue this weekend with a family-fun weekend in Union Terrace Gardens.
Stories of the Sea, an exciting free weekend, will take place from 11am to 4pm this Saturday and Sunday at Union Terrace Gardens.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The Festival of the Sea celebrations have already brought so many wonderful and fun activities that people of all ages can get involved in.
“Aberdeen’s maritime past is something that we can all be proud of, and I would encourage everyone who hasn’t gotten involved yet to do so.”
Councillor Martin Greig, culture spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said: “Aberdeen's Festival of the Sea continues this weekend with more fantastic sea-themed events. Many have already taken part in this celebration of our links with the North Sea. There are still great opportunities for fun and involvement at venues across the city centre for people of all ages to enjoy."
Those attending can enjoy a life-size inflatable whale with a storytelling centre inside, a one-man desert island comedy performance featuring a giant crab, and meet a selfie-loving mermaid.
The Festival of the Sea is a two-week celebration from 15th to 28th July that explores Aberdeen’s relationship with the sea and coastline through a wide range of events taking place across the city.
A host of events have already taken place across the city centre this week in Fittie and Torry, coordinated by creative producers Open Road, celebrating both communities’ close relationship with the sea.
Lesley Anne, Creative Director of Open Road, said: “Open Road has loved being involved with the Festival of the Sea. We’re looking forward to celebrating the city’s rich maritime heritage over the coming weeks and welcoming one and all to events for all ages across Aberdeen’s harbourside communities of Fittie and Torry.”
Sea-themed activities have also been taking place throughout the week in Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums, including children’s activities and lunchtime talks, alongside the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition which will run until October.
Three Tall Ships are also visiting Aberdeen’s Harbour this week as the city prepares to mark one year until the Tall Ships Race arrives.
The Reaper, which was built near Fraserburgh in 1902 and has featured in several film and television programmes, including the hit series Outlander, is visiting from the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. It will be open for visitors to board this Friday and Saturday.
In addition, the TS Royalist, the Sea Cadets’ flagship, can be viewed from the quayside.
The tall ship Swan has also arrived in Aberdeen, and her crew has been taking young people aged 15 to 25 who signed up for sail training sessions out each day in preparation for the 2025 Tall Ship Races.
To find out more about the Festival of the Sea and to view the full programme of events, visit our website.