With 100 days to go until the start of The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025, organisers have announced the Red Arrows and The Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland will be joining the celebrations.
The RAF's world-famous squadron will stage a full aerial display, while the Royal Marines Band will provide fanfares for the opening ceremony and prizegiving and also join the crew parade through the heart of Aberdeen.
Organisers of the event – brought to the city by Aberdeen City Council, Port of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Inspired - said they were thrilled to announce the Red Arrows and Royal Marines on the milestone date of 100 days to go until the Tall Ships arrive.
That excitement was shared by Squadron Leader Jon Bond, who leads the nine-jet Red Arrows as Red 1, as the elite RAF team prepare for a return to the Tall Ships in Aberdeen having previously flown at the 1991 event.
He said: “We can’t wait to bring our new Red Arrows display to Aberdeen this summer – we are always humbled by the brilliant, large crowds that turn out for our shows in Scotland.
READ MORE:
'Impressive' international fleet confirmed for Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025
Aberdeen set to host largest fleet of this year's 'world class' Tall Ships event
From Lisbon to Lerwick: The History of the Tall Ships Race
“Those at the Tall Ships event can expect a dynamic aerobatic show that’s got big new formation shapes, precision rolls, loops and high-speed passes.”
The Squadron Leader said each season the team change their display to ensure it remains innovative and true to the Red Arrows’ pedigree of providing a non-stop, flowing and entertaining performance, underpinned by world-class teamwork both in-the-air and on-the-ground.
He said: “This dedication, by our entire 150-strong team, is typical of the approach found across the Royal Air Force, whatever the role or situation.
“I hope you can join us in Aberdeen for our display at the Tall Ships event and are inspired by this relentless pursuit of excellence.”
The 22-minute show – currently being polished before the Red Arrows start their 61st season - will take place on Monday, July 21, just off the Aberdeen shoreline and the viewpoint for the stirring show will be at the Beach Esplanade.
The full band will then join the excitement of the Crew Parade through the centre of Aberdeen on Sunday, July 20, joined by bands and crew members from the Tall Ships themselves.
The Royal Marines Band Director of Music, Captain Ann Miller RM, said: “It has been many years since the Royal Marines Band performed in Aberdeen, and we are delighted to return and celebrate the shared sea-faring heritage that resonates between the City of Aberdeen, The Royal Marines, and The Tall Ships Races.
“It will be an honour and a privilege for our musicians to be part of the celebrations and to showcase the precision and musical excellence the Royal Marines Band pride themselves on.
“We look forward to contributing to what promises to be an unforgettable event and reinforcing the close ties between the Royal Marines and the communities we serve.”
The prestige and tradition of the Armed Forces will be complemented by the presence of a Military Village at Union Terrace Gardens during the Tall Ships event, which will see the Army, Navy and RAF all taking part. Full details will be announced closer to the event.
The announcement of the Red Arrows and Royal Marines Band was made as stakeholders in The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen gathered for the 100 days milestone at the event’s countdown clock - which now has pride of place on the ground floor of Union Square.
Councillor Martin Greig, Chair of the Tall Ships Organising Committee, said: “The Red Arrows are no strangers to Aberdeen. Their incredible formation aerobatics have thrilled generations of Aberdonians. It is wonderful that their return will add to the spectacle of the Tall Ships festival with new and enthralling high-speed flying formations to entertain the huge crowds below.
“I am really delighted that we will also be welcoming the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland. Their fanfares at the beginning of the festival will add grandeur and heighten excitement for the days of fun and celebrations to follow.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Just when you think you couldn’t add any more excitement to the spectacle of the beautiful Tall Ships arriving in Aberdeen, here come the Red Arrows to take those thrills sky high. It might be a 20-minute aerial display, but it will make memories to last a lifetime.
“It is particularly fitting we can announce this news to mark 100 days to go until the armada of 50 vessels arrives. It is now so close, you can almost hear the snap of the sails as the Tall Ships make their way to Aberdeen.”
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “The announcement that the Red Arrows will join us in celebrating The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has taken excitement to new heights.
“As Aberdeen prepares to welcome an international fleet of majestic Tall Ships, we’re delighted that our historic port will provide the backdrop for such an iconic aerial display.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereYou must verify your phone number before you can comment.
Please enter your phone number below, and a verification code will be sent to you by text message.
Please enter the six-digit verification code sent to you by SMS.
Your verification code has been sent a second time to the mobile phone number you provided.
Your verification code has been sent a third time to the mobile phone number you provided.
You have requested your verification code too many times. Please try again later.
Didn’t receive a code? Send it againThe code you entered has not been recognised.
Please try again
You have failed to enter a correct code after three attempts.
Please try again later.
Your phone number has been verified.
Your phone number has been stored with your account details. We will never use it for anything other than verifying that you are the legitimate owner of this account.