Orkney trainees prepare to set sail

Twenty-three of the 30 sail trainees from Orkney left Stromness to join their Tall Ships in Greenock this morning.

The Tall Ships Races are from Waterford in Ireland to Halmstad in Sweden, and run from June 30 until August 8. The Orkney trainees will take part in the journey from Greenock to the race port of Lerwick, stopping off in various ports along the Scottish west coast on the way.

The Tall Ships leave Greenock tomorrow, with the first ships arriving in Kirkwall on Friday evening, after a ceremony to mark the 200th anniversary of Kirkwall pier.

Michael Morrison and Brian Pottinger, from Orkney Islands Council, have been in Greenock over the weekend to inspect ships prior to their arrival in Orkney and confirm berthing arrangements and logistics for the party events on board.