By Fred Byrne, Valentina Negrea and Oliver Kennedy
The Tall Ships have arrived.
49 wind-powered vessels have docked at Aberdeen Harbour, and they are open to be boarded by the public.
The four-day event is the largest free festival in Europe and it is the third time the ships have come to Aberdeen, with the last time being 28 years ago.
Over the next few days, the Granite City will offer a myriad of festivities including concerts, boat excursions, fun park installations, food trucks and more.
Deacon Blue played a sold-out gig at the Main Stage at Peterson Seabase, with Ministry of Sound and Kaiser Chiefs also due to perform.
With over 2000 sailors, Sail Training International (STI) aims for youth development through sailing training and international friendships; at least 50% of crew members are trainees aged 15-25.
230 young people from Aberdeen are sailing the Dunkirk-Aberdeen or Aberdeen-Kristiansand journeys, more than 100 of them fully funded by STI.
Tomorrow (Sunday) an international crew parade starts 16:00 at Union Terrace Gardens and ends at the Main Stage by the seas, followed by a prize giving celebration there. On Monday the Red Arrows fly over Aberdeen at 17:30.
Sam Leonard, marketing lead at STI, spoke passionately on the culmination of this year’s organising efforts: “The international spirit is very much alive in Aberdeen today.”
Read: The last Tall Ship built in Aberdeen returns in triumph
For more info visit tallshipsaberdeen.com