Crews say fond farewell to Granite City

Crews have been saying a fond farewell to Aberdeen after the spectacular Tall Ships event in the city attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators.

The event – described as Scotland’s biggest tourism event this year – began on Saturday, featuring almost 50 majestic vessels from around the world.

The ships left on Tuesday with many excited new, young crew members for the onward journey to Norway.

Organisers believe there may have been at least 400,000 people at the Tall Ships – and hope the event can return in the “not too distant” future.

The long weekend of celebrations in Aberdeen included a display by the Red Arrows on Monday night.

Thousands of people witnessed the mid-air spectacular, despite some views being clouded by fog.

However the sun came out for the final day, as visitors returned to wave the ships off.

There were cries of “Bon Voyage” and “hip hip hooray” from the crowds.

The races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people.

Many new crew members joined the boats for the next leg of the Tall Ships races over to Norway.

Among them were Aberdeen girls Mya, Katherine, Mia, who are all 15, and 16-year-old Freya.

They are on board the Netherlands tall ship Eendracht for nine days, with mentor Toby Maddams from Peterhead.

“I’m really looking forward to sailing for the first time,” Mya told BBC Scotland News on the deck, before departing.

“It’s a really good new experience.”

Freya said: “I am looking forward to going to Norway with my new friends, it should be fun. This is my first time sailing. Everyone has been so nice on the boat.

“I’m nervous about sleeping, and sea-sickness.”

They joked that mentor Toby would be their “boat mum”.

Adrian Watson from Aberdeen Inspired – a business organisation which promotes investment in the city centre – said the Tall Ships event had exceeded all expectations.

“To see hundreds of thousands descend upon our wonderful city has been so impressive ,” he told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland.

“We feel confident that we will be on or around 400,000-plus.

“It has been awe-inspiring, and it’s meant so much to the people of Aberdeen.”

He said the major Union Square shopping centre had broken its footfall records at the weekend – reaching 78,685 on Saturday and 61,682 on Sunday.

“Most large towns and cities are going through a very difficult time – this has been such a success,” Mr Watson said.

“We’d be very keen to see them come back.”

Deacon Blue kicked off the event on Friday night with a harbourside gig.

The main Tall Ships event then opened to the public on Saturday morning, followed a Ministry of Sound classical concert in the evening.

Sunday saw crews parade through the streets, and Monday featured a Kaiser Chiefs gig in the evening.

Tall Ships Aberdeen was billed as Europe’s largest free family event, with almost 50 ships taking part.

About 2,000 international crew members attended from as far afield as Uruguay and Oman.

Aberdeen had previously hosted the prestigious event in 1991 and 1997.