Between 26 and 29 July 2023 Lerwick was a host port for the Tall Ships Races, an annual event held in European waters designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people in the art of sailing. 37 vessels from full rigged ships to small fishing sloops berthed in Lerwick for the four days before departing to Arendal in Norway for the final race leg.

We were awarded the contract to provide drone video and photos for the event. As usual for Shetland the weather was mixed, from glorious sunshine on day one to dull and damp for the remainder, however this didn’t dampen the spirits of the visiting crews and locals!

Not only did we film the vessels and harbour activities, but we live streamed the evening concerts from the Holmsgarth stage, with up to 5,000 revellers enjoying the visiting and local acts. Unfortunately the Parade of Sail on the last day was cancelled due to bad weather,  however we did film departing vessels from a fishing boat just outside the harbour limits, and live streamed to the event’s TV channel.