Over 25 or Self-Funding
If you are ineligible for one of our placements, there are still plenty of opportunities to try sail training or get involved in adventures at sea onboard a tall ship. You can find a different adventure under sail and choose a ship that meets your needs.
There are many different ships that provide experiential learning at sea. These include everything from the magnificent traditionally rigged Class A’s right through to the to the more nimble, smaller Class D’s which includes modern racing yachts.
Ships can have a percentage of trainees aged over 25 onboard for The Tall Ships Races and the larger ones may have more places available. Such places need to be self-funded and bookings made directly with your chosen ship. Like all independent travel, you will be responsible for your travel insurance and getting to and from your placement.
Please let us know if you book an independent trip. We would love to hear more about your voyage and put you in touch with others taking part.
Fund your adventure:
Whether you’re planning to self-fund, fundraise towards your trip or apply for funding to become a sail trainee - there are some helpful sources of information below to help you towards your goals.
Find your adventure:
List of confirmed ships for Lerwick
List of entered vessels for the whole Tall Ships Races series (use drop down list page right).
Windseeker offers availability with some ships across the whole Tall Ships Races series.
The following lists is not comprehensive. Competitive sailing on the Race legs, including some of the faster smaller ships in the fleet, may appeal to some.
Sailing ship Eendracht is owned and operated by the Dutch Foundation Stichting Zeilschip EEndracht, which offers active sailing experiences to young people and adults whilst promoting the maritime traditions of the Netherlands as a seagoing nation.
As a 55m (excluding bowsprit) three-masted schooner, Eendracht replaced her smaller predecessor Johann Schmidt and was commissioned by H.M. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on August 29th 1989.
The Sørlandet was built in Kristiansand, Norway, in 1927 as a full-rigged ship for training young people for the merchant marine. As the demand for regular training of young seamen decreased in the seventies, she extended the activities to welcome the general public on board. The name Sørlandet comes from the southern region of Norway – it means the southern land.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl is a popular and regular visitor to Lerwick, its second 'home' port. The class A sail training ship was built in 1914, is registered in Bergen, Norway. Measuring a total length of 97.2 metres, including bowsprit, she is one of the largest tall ships in the fleet, with a well-established sail training programme which encourages trainees to learn and take part in all aspects of the ship's day to day running.
Christian Radich is one of Norway’s well known sailing ambassadors. The ship functioned as a sail training ship from the start in 1937 to 1998. During the last decade, Christian Radich served as a school ship for the Norwegian Navy, and she is still a school ship for maritime students in winter. During the summer period, the ship offers voyages for school classes, arrangements for companies and private parties. As a regular in Tall Ships’ Races, she has proven hard to beat!
Shetland's very own tall ship, Swan LK243 was built and launched in Shetland in 1900, Swan was one of the finest boats among the Scottish fishing fleet. Having survived two world wars and the threat of destruction, the ship has been authentically restored to her former glory for sail training. She regularly participates in The Tall Ships Races and traditional boat festivals.
See all adventures with Swan (limited spaces available)
