Alex Plant: Scottish Water’s new CEO looks forward to exploring Shetland

I found myself incredibly fortunate this summer when I embarked on a remarkable journey aboard a Tall Ship during the Cruise-In Company leg of The Tall Ships Races 2023. I had a different experience from the other trainees as I was on board as a sail trainee, a chaperone…

In today's world, the pursuit of sustainable energy sources has become paramount. As nations strive to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve a greener future, companies like ESB are taking centre stage.

As Shetland prepares to host The Tall Ships Races once again, the anticipation and excitement in the air are obvious. This grand event brings together the vibrant community of Shetland, and at the heart of it all, stands the Coop shop in Lerwick, proudly sponsoring this remarkable occasion.

Despite being an international company, Peterson Energy Logistics is deeply rooted in the Shetland community and proud to be a part of it.

Nestled amidst the rich fishing grounds and stunning natural beauty of the Shetland Islands, the Scottish salmon sector has emerged as a champion of sustainability that’s also powering the local economy.

We are delighted that Peterson Energy Logistics, a Shetland-based company, is sponsoring The Tall Ships Races Visit to Lerwick this July.

Since its establishment in 1919, Arch Henderson LLP has been a powerhouse of specialist services, designing harbours, coastal protection schemes, and ship repair facilities.

Ness Engineering Ltd has been announced as a sponsor for The Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick in July. The company are providing in-kind support by installing and maintaining the showers and toilets - an essential requirement for the event to run smoothly.

It usually comes as a surprise to visitors – and the occasional local who perhaps does not follow the news too avidly – that Shetland is home to a spaceport which from next year will regularly launch rockets carrying payloads of small satellites into orbit.

As the Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick event unfolds, showcasing the vibrant maritime heritage of the Shetland Islands, it is essential to recognise the local businesses that play a significant role in sponsorship for the event.

At Shetland Tall Ships Ltd we are proud of our partnership with SSE Renewables for The Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick. SSE Renewables are our Host Port Sponsor, and we are so grateful they are so heavily involved with the event and are providing two trainees to sail on a leg of the race.

As The Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick edges closer and closer. The organisers, Shetland Tall Ships Ltd understands the importance of ensuring the safety and efficiency of this event. This is where Malakoff, a leading engineering firm, steps in to offer its expertise and support.

Lerwick has twice previously hosted The Tall Ships Races in 1999 and 2011, so when Cooke Aquaculture Scotland (CAS) heard that Shetland was hosting again in 2023, they were eager to get on board as sponsors of the event!

From the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland, across the Highlands and North East of Scotland to central Scotland and beyond, Northwards supports its customers in the transportation of goods by land and sea.

George Robertson Ltd is providing in-kind support for The Tall Ships' visit to Lerwick in July. The company are supplying and installing washing machines and tumble dryers for the laundry facilities for the Tall Ships fleet as they are berthed in Lerwick Harbour.

As the anticipation for The Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick grows, it's time to shine a spotlight on one of the sponsors making it all possible: Pelagia Shetland, who are pelagic fish processors specialising in herring during the summer months and mackerel throughout autumn and winter.

As The Tall Ships Races grace Shetland's shores once again, there's no better time to celebrate the deep-rooted connection between Shetland and the sea through its thriving fishing industry. For thousands of years, Shetlanders have relied on the abundant waters surrounding their home.

Shetland may be a small island, but it's big on ambition when it comes to achieving net zero. One company playing a vital role in this mission is SSEN Distribution who are sponsors for The Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick!

TotalEnergies is a dynamic, multi-energy company committed to producing affordable, reliable, cleaner and accessible energy to as many people as possible.

Seafood Shetland, the body representing the interest of businesses involved in all aspects of shellfish growing and fish processing, is a keen supporter of the Tall Ships event. It will be supporting the Tall Ships by sponsoring the ships’ liaison officer’s kit.

As we prepare to welcome the much-anticipated Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick in just over a month, we decided to tailor-make a blog for all our festival attendees travelling aboard the Northlink Ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick.

In the Shetland community, an initiative is underway as part of Shetland Island Council’s Youth and Employability Service, to bridge the gap between education and employment for young people aged 15-19.

GAC Shetland is the islands’ longest-established ship agency and logistics service and they are very proud to be announced as in-kind sponsors for The Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick this July. The company will be handling customs clearance for all vessels that visit Lerwick for the event.

Shetland and Aberdeen-based company Ocean Kinetics are sponsoring The Tall Ships Races visit to Lerwick.

Ferry operator Serco Northlink Ferries have come on board as a sponsor and as the official transport provider for the Lerwick Tall Ships event in 2023. To get to know Northlink as a company and how sail training could lead to a career at sea…

Back in July, leading renewable energy developer and operator, SSE Renewables was announced as a Host Port Sponsor for The Tall Ships visit to Lerwick in 2023. The company is the leading owner, operator, and developer of onshore wind farms across the UK and Ireland.

The other day, we spoke with John and Jaqueline McBeath about their experience as Liaison Officers for The Tall Ships visit to Lerwick back in 2011 and what has prompted them to sign up again for the 2023 event.

Not long ago we spoke with David Smith, who volunteered as a Liaison Officer for The Tall Ships visit to Lerwick in 1999, 2011 and will again in 2023. We discussed his experience and what made it special.

Back in June, we interviewed Laura Burden - Deputy Principal Tertiary for UHI Shetland, about her career at sea and how it began with her experience sailing on a Tall Ship at 16 years old - a journey that opened her eyes to the different opportunities and career paths available to her.

Recently we caught up with Peter Campbell to talk about his past experiences with The Tall Ships Races, sailing on them and as a Liaison Officer. Peter’s first Tall Ships experience goes back 30 years when he was on a course in Bergen.

Malakoff Limited were announced as sponsors for next summer’s Tall Ships Races here in Lerwick on an in-kind basis back in August. Recently we spoke with Contracts Manager Ryan Stevenson to discuss the company’s support for the event.

The Belem under Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster … The Belem started life in France in 1896, making her the ripe old age of 126 years old - starting as a cargo ship, transporting sugar from the West Indies and cocoa and coffee from Brazil.

Introducing Rebecca Owen, one of Sail Training Shetland’s Trainees partaking in the 2022 Tall Ships Races, sailing in the second leg of the race from Harlingen in The Netherlands to Antwerp in Belgium.

Introducing Ava Priest, one of Sail Training Shetland's Trainees partaking in the 2022 Tall Ships Races, sailing in the second leg of the race from Harlingen in The Netherlands to Antwerp in Belgium.

Introducing Jess Wadley, one of Sail Training Shetland's Trainees partaking in the 2022 Tall Ships Races, sailing in the first leg of the race from Lerwick to Esbjerg in Denmark and then onwards to Harlingen in The Netherlands.

LERWICK WELCOMES BACK THE TALL SHIPS RACES … Lerwick is once again fortunate enough to welcome The Tall Ships Races back, in 2023. The Races are highly regarded in Shetland - having previously been hosted here in 1999 and 2011.