2019 Boat Week is Biggest Yet

The Boat Week team welcomed over 500 people to Hay’s Dock each day with a range of people getting involved from toddlers to teenagers, and seasoned sailors to those who have never been on a boat before.

Over 450 people took to the water in boats trips which ranged from rowing around Hay’s Dock to sailing historic sixareens and tours with local boat trip operators and guides. Sixareens the Far Haaf and Vaila Mae in full sail in Lerwick Harbour made for a magical sight.

Many families got involved this year with lots of water and shore based activities. Younger participants made over 200 little wooden boats in the maritime crafts sessions and enjoyed workshops and activities throughout the week. The ‘Creel Lotto’ proved popular with a record 46 peerie crabs hauled up in a single creel.

Exhibitions in the Museum and Archives included maritime art from the collection and a whaling display to support Adrian Duncan’s book launch. Brian Chapman’s collection of seagull engines were a big hit as were the wonderful boats in the dock and the Sail Loft Open Day with the Swan Trust. Taste of Shetland joined in the fun for the final weekend providing participants with incredible seafood tastings and demonstrations whilst the Lerwick Lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter put on a mesmerising display.

Ruth Mackenzie, Chair of the Shetland Amenity Trust who organise the event said, “It has been a truly fantastic week and our most successful to date. Shetland Boat Week is all about celebrating our maritime heritage and trying to engage the next generation with it so I have loved seeing so many young folk and families out on the water and getting involved. A huge thank you to the team, the volunteers, sponsors and supporters – we couldn’t have done it without you.”