Swan leaves for Waterford to join Tall Ships event

Setting sail for Waterford in the Republic of Ireland this morning were a combination of regular crew and working passengers aboard the Swan.

The vessel will join the Tall Ships Cruise in Company event from there and return to Shetland with another Shetland crew.

Husband and wife John and Rita Norrie are from Arbroath and travelled to Shetland to make the journey with the Swan, their second such trip after going to Norway last year.

Andrew and Barbara Hall described themselves as a little “apprehensive”, but “looking forward to the craic in Ireland” and a deserved pint of Guinness upon arrival.

Rupert Battersby praised the “experienced sailors looking after us,” but was concerned that “I don’t know what their cooking is like though, and I do like my food”.

Young Alec Moncrieff took to the sea for the first time and will celebrate his 13th birthday while en route to Oban, from where he will return to Shetland.

The Swan will call in Inverness first, then take the Caledonian Canal to Oban and then Bangor in Northern Ireland before reaching Waterford.