Peerie Boat Week to Launch in July
Shetland Amenity Trust, organisers of the 2018 Shetland maritime festival are preparing to announce full programme details shortly for the August event.
Named ‘Peerie Boat Week’ this year, the programme is taking the successful format of Shetland Boat Week and delivering a more concentrated series of events and activities over the weekend of 17th to 19th August. The Trust are keen to retain the spirit of the past year’s event and evaluate the most effective way to develop the festival for the future.
The Trust remains committed to celebrating Shetland’s maritime heritage and has brought in event co-ordinator Emma Miller to work with staff, volunteers and external event providers to ensure this year’s event runs smoothly and is enjoyed by all.
Some favourites remain part of the programme such as John Jamieson’s fancy knotwork demonstrations, sailing trips in the replica Sixareen, Vaila Mae, and rowing in the replica haddock boat, Laura Kay. There will also be a range of new experiences such as tours aboard the CMA Emergency Towing Vehicle, Herakles, and a keynote lecture from Brian Lavery on the uprising of fishwives in 1968 following a triple trawler disaster in Hull.
The sailing and rowing trips will be extended through the week, running from Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th. These are incredibly popular and the extra days should at least guarantee that they won’t fall foul of a poor weekends weather!
Shetland Amenity Trust would like to thank NorthLink Ferries, our programme sponsor, Ocean Kinetics who continue to support the maritime themed activities, and the Shetland branch of the Nautical Institute who are hosting this year’s Keynote speaker, Brian Lavery.
The event team are currently looking for anyone who has a traditional Shetland model boat that would be suitable for the outdoor display on Hay’s Dock from 1
7th to 19th August, and anyone who would be interested in volunteering to help with dockside activities over the weekend. If you have a boat, or would like to be involved, please contact one of the Peerie Boat Week team at info@shetlandamenity.org, emma@realtaevents.co.uk or call 01595 694688.
The event programme is currently being finalised and will be available online at www.shetlandboatweek.com/events shortly. The printed programme, sponsored by Serco NorthLink Ferries will be published and distributed from around 27th July.