Eleven 70ft racing yachts on one the world's toughest and most rewarding endurance challenges, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, have now embarked on one of their most sought-after legs, following in the footsteps of some of the greatest Scottish sailing pioneers, across the North Atlantic. Departing from Washington DC, the penultimate Atlantic Homecoming Leg of the thrilling round the world adventure, marks a historic moment for the Clipper Race as it stops in Scotland for the first time in its 27-year history from 12 to 21 July 2024. 

To celebrate, the race's first ever Scottish hosts have revealed that the crews will be welcomed with an exclusive programme of unique events set to make the Scotland stopover a global highlight for the adventurers on the record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile challenge.

The Clipper Race has boosted economies of previous Host Ports around the world by millions of pounds, and its arrival in the bustling sea-side town of Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, reflects the country's world-class sailing and boating offering (estimated to contribute £84 million to the Scottish economy annually).

Often referred to as the Gateway to the Isles or Seafood Capital of Scotland, Oban will welcome over 200 international Clipper Race crew aged 18 to 70+ from all walks of life and from all over the world (including some who will experience Scotland for the first time), with a programme of events and activities showcasing some of the best of Scottish food, drink, sport and culture. From learning how to play shinty (a Scottish twelve-a-side game, played with curved sticks and taller goalposts) and speak Gaelic, to discovering the finest Scottish food and drink (including a tour of Oban Distillery), ceilidh dancing and traditional music, Clipper Race crew are sure to have an incredible stopover.

Supported by Argyll and Bute Council, Bid4Oban, the Scottish Towns Partnership, the Argyll and Isles Tourism Cooperative, Food from Argyll, Business Gateway and EventScotland, visitors and locals alike can also enjoy Oban's Festival of the Sea from 12 to 21 July. This one-off festival, marking the historic arrival of the Clipper Race, will feature a series of musical, cultural, nautical and sporting events and festivities providing thousands of expected visitors with incredible lifelong memories. Some lucky visitors will even experience a unique behind the scenes tour of a Clipper 70 Racing Yacht above and below the deck.

Publishing the full Festival of the Sea programme, Argyll and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Jim Lynch said: “We're thrilled to welcome the prestigious Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to Oban. The event provides an incredible platform to promote Argyll and Bute across the globe and I have no doubt it will be a resounding success. The Food and Drink Village, funded by EventScotland, will showcase the wonderful local produce we have to offer, while the wider Festival of the Seas programme will enable us to promote our fantastic sport, music, Gaelic culture, marine tourism and much more. I look forward to giving a warm Scottish welcome to the Clipper Race adventurers and all who come to cheer them on.”

Jenni Minto, MSP for Argyll and Bute who will also be there to welcome the race, added: “Scotland is set to experience a fantastic programme of world-class events this summer, and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in Oban is a real highlight for me. Major events play a vital role in supporting our economy by attracting people to Scotland and enhancing the country's international profile. The Clipper Race provides an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of Argyll and the Isles as the world-class sailing destination that it is.”

Cathy Craig, CEO of the Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative (AITC - wildaboutargyll.co.uk) said: “The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race's historic visit truly reinforces Argyll and the Isles as Scotland's premier sailing destination. The huge array of world-class sailing experiences available within our unique and enviable location, set amongst a large breath-taking cluster of island and coastal retreats, provides the ideal opportunity for beginners and experienced sailors alike to enjoy a sailing adventure.”

Andrew Spence, Chief Executive of Bid4Oban, said: “With our incredible pontoons, independent shops, restaurants, cáfes and attractions, Oban is the perfect location for the prestigious Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. We look forward to giving an exceptional west coast welcome to all the crews, their families, and visitors.”

Speaking about its potential significance to Scotland, David Adams-McGilp VisitScotland Regional Director added: “With an outstanding maritime environment and some of the best sailing in the world, Argyll and the Isles thoroughly deserves the success that comes with hosting the prestigious Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. This is great recognition of its world class sailing waters and will provide a fantastic boost to the local economy.

“On average, sailing and boating are estimated to contribute £84 million and 3,100 full time equivalent jobs to Scotland, many in rural and fragile coastal communities, so it is an important sector to nurture.”

The thirteenth edition of the Clipper Race, started in Portsmouth UK on 3 September 2023 and it has so far visited, Puerto Sherry, Punta del Este, Cape Town, Fremantle, Newcastle, Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays, Ha Long Bay, Zhuhai, Qingdao, Seattle, Panama and Washington, DC. From Oban it will complete the circumnavigation by returning to Portsmouth. In this true test of human determination and endurance, doctors race alongside teachers, tattoo artists and farmers from all corners of the world, including Scotland. Each participant must pass four weeks of intense training before taking part of one of the eight stages of the circumnavigation.

Vicki Leslie, age 40, from Shetland, who put her career as a Head Chef on hold to take part in the Clipper Race, is sailing on board Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam. She said: “I'm really excited to be sailing into Oban. I'm really lucky that I work on boats, and I work out of Oban almost every summer, so it's almost like going home, home and it's going to be a big party. Oban is beautiful. It is one of my favourite places on the west coast. People are really friendly, and it's a pretty place to be. There's whisky, islands, beautiful water and good food!”

Vicki's crewmate Ross Dunlop, age 60 from Edinburgh added: “It's going to be fun arriving in Oban! It would be lovely to come into port a winning team, but it will be great to arrive there, and I've got friends and family there to greet me. When we sail into Oban, crew can expect lots of friendly banter with the locals, whisky and lots of good Scottish beers, and hopefully good weather!”

Susan Smith, a 65-year-old retiree from Argyll, who sailed on Legs 1, 2 and 7 on board the Washington, DC team, and will be in Oban to welcome her fellow sailors, added: “I think that the west coast of Scotland in particular is absolutely world-class, in terms of sailing, sea kayaking and outdoor adventure activities. There's so many islands, both habited and inhabited, and the wildlife is just unbelievable. The birds, sea eagles, the dolphins... It's just incredible.

“It'll be fantastic when the boats arrive in Oban, just so that people can come and see the boats and see what it's all about. The town is great and has fantastic views. It's known as the 'road to the Isles' as there's many ferries that take you to the different islands around there. I'm sure Oban will put on a great spectacle. Scotland has so much to offer and I think it'll be really really good- we like to celebrate in Scotland, so I'm super excited about being able to go, as it's so close to where I live.

“I just want the crew to see the absolute beauty that Scotland has to offer."

James Finney, from Southampton, the Skipper of Zhuhai who grew up sailing on the west coast of Scotland said: “This race and arrival into Oban is a big one for me, as I haven't sailed around the isles for a long time, and that is where my sailing career really started. It will be very cool to go back there, and I'm looking forward to the stunning scenery and surrounding islands. It's going to be such a huge event when we get there, and the welcome and celebration will be a lot of fun.”

Clotilde Goeman, a 31-year-old from France, who previously worked in climate change adaptation, is sailing on board Yacht Club Punta del Este. She has never visited Scotland before and said ahead of the race: “We're about to race to Oban, straight across our last ocean. I can't wait for this race and I am hoping for some fun sailing! Then I'm really looking forward to Scotland, I've meant to go there for years, to explore the highlands and islands, the highly praised nature and of course Oban! The big plan is to sail fast and have enough time to seriously reactivate my legs in Scotland after weeks hiking only 70ft – the length of our boat. I'm also super interested in all the sailing culture but also curious about the Celtic legends related to the sea.”

For more information about the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race's first stop in Scotland, visit oban.org.uk/clipper-race. To follow the yachts' progress click here.