Scotland’s 'Adventure Coast' is set for major waterfront celebration as it prepares to welcome one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges
One of the biggest waterfront celebrations in Scotland this summer is set to drop anchor in Oban and the full programme, including many free events, has now been revealed.
Designed to celebrate Scotland’s Adventure Coast (Argyll and the Isles) and the penultimate stopover of one of the world’s toughest and most rewarding endurance challenges, for only the second time in the race’s 30-year history, the Festival of the Sea will take place from 11 to 19 July 2026.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race’s first visit to the town in 2024 was described as one of the global highlights and delivered an estimated economic boost of £2 million to the region. With the first ever Team Scotland-branded yacht currently in second place overall on the 2025-26 edition of the race and Argyll’s Festival of the Sea promises to bring a new level of excitement, as well as a global audience, to the town known as Scotland’s ‘Gateway to the Isles’ and ‘Seafood Capital’.
From race day drama to celebratory events and locally made chocolate boats, the new programme launched today showcases Argyll and the Isles as an outstanding year-round destination for sailing, adventure, culture, food and drink, sports and coastal escapes.
Welcoming the return of the Clipper Race, Argyll and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Jim Lynch said: “It is truly thrilling to welcome the prestigious Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to Oban once again, and fantastic to see so many businesses and event organisers come together to produce a jam-packed Festival of the Sea Programme.
"It provides a fantastic showcase of Argyll and Bute’s exemplar adventure sports offering, and world-renowned hospitality. We look forward to welcoming Clipper Race crews and visitors alike for what really is set to be one of the best waterfront celebrations in Scotland this summer.”
The ten teams competing in the race are expected to arrive into the bustling port of Oban on Scotland’s west coast aboard 70ft ocean racing yachts between 10 and 13 July 2026. Among them will be Team Scotland, backed by Brand Scotland, Diageo, Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Argyll and Bute the Place to Be and Oban’s host port partners.
The team has been celebrating the best of Scotland as they race around the world, and the buzz for the Oban stopover has been steadily building as crew members experience the kind of ‘Tartan Army’ backing normally reserved for the Scotland national football team - from Scots at home and around the world.
Team Scotland Skipper Heather Thomas said: “The whole crew is very excited to arrive in Oban. We know the welcome is going to be legendary. From ceilidh dancing and live music to whisky and coastal adventures. It will be particularly special because the people of Oban and Scotland have been cheering throughout the year as we have raced around the world. It has particularly been a great boost to spirits as we sail through some of the most challenging waters. We’re really excited to connect with them in person. It feels very much like a homecoming.
“I sailed around Argyll and the Isles 12 years ago on a boat called James Cook and I remember it being absolutely stunning, with the most amazing places to moor up.”
Clipper Race Chairman and Founder, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston added: “Oban is an incredible destination for our Race Crew, and we really are pleased to see it plotted back on the Clipper Race route for the 2025-26 edition.
"The welcome we received in 2024 was simply fantastic, with local pipers greeting each boat, representatives from the council, VisitScotland and BID4Oban on the dock, and a wee dram of local whisky for those arriving into port after their Trans-Atlantic Ocean adventure. It's wonderful for the entire town to come together to give our crews and spectators an incredible memory, and we can't wait for this edition’s crews to experience it.”
Festival of the Sea Programme Highlights
Taking place from 11 to 19 July, supported by Argyll and Bute Council, BID4Oban, Argyll and Isles Tourism Cooperative and EventScotland (part of VisitScotland), the Festival of the Sea is expected to draw hundreds of sailors, supporters, friends and families for nine unforgettable days of Scottish hospitality, Gaelic culture, music, food and maritime spectacle on Scotland’s west coast. Featuring some free as well as ticketed events, highlights of the jam-packed programme include:
- Striking art installations in empty shop windows celebrating the Argyll Coast and Islands Hope Spot, the UK’s first Hope Spot designated by Mission Blue in recognition of the area’s extraordinary marine biodiversity.
- An artist in residence on the North Pier Pontoon creating live paintings of yachts and crews, with 30% of sales donated to RNLI Oban.
- Exclusive tasting experiences at Oban Distillery, with its recently refurbished bar.
- Oban on the Water (11th July, 10.30 to 4.00pm) – a chance to experience Oban's water-based activities including sailing, rowing and kayaking.
- A vibrant Food and Craft Market (11 to 12 July) showcasing the best of locally made produce and artisan goods.
- Pirates, Mermaids & The Ocean at Dunollie Museum, Castle & Grounds on 16 July) - a family day with treasure hunts, arts & crafts, face painting & storytelling.
- liveArgyll Presents: Skerryvore live in concert on 16 July.
- A rare chance on 17 July for the public to step aboard a Clipper yacht and meet some of the intrepid crew.
- An in-person Q&A evening event with Sir Robin Knox Johnston and Team Scotland sailors (17 July).
- Gaelic language taster sessions for visiting crews.
- Day trips to leading visitor attractions across Argyll and the Isles, including Kilmartin Museum.
- Promotions by businesses throughout the town, including specially crafted chocolate sailing boats from Oban Chocolate Company.
- A celebration of 50 years of SAMS research into ocean currents between Oban and Iceland (19 July) at the Ocean Explorer Centre - featuring poetry, art, talks and science displays.
- A stirring farewell on 19 July as crews are piped in parade to the pontoons before the fleet slips the lines and begins the final race leg to Portsmouth, completing their circumnavigation of the globe.
Welcoming the programme launch, Cathy Craig, CEO of the Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative (AITC - wildaboutargyll.co.uk) said: “The Festival of the Sea and the return of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race puts Argyll and the Isles firmly in the spotlight as Scotland’s Adventure Coast. From adventure to culture and food and drink, our destination’s offering really is unmatched anywhere in the world.”
Kay MacDonald for Bid4Oban, added: “It’s fantastic to see so many local businesses support the Festival of the Sea, welcoming the return of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. This is testament to all that our incredible town has to offer including our pontoons, independent shops, restaurants, cáfes and attractions. We look forward to providing the crews with a truly exceptional west coast welcome.”
David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “The spectacular Clipper Race and the Festival of the Sea, supported through our National Events Programme, promise to create yet more wonderful lasting memories for the community and visitors.
“Events like these not only raise the international profile of Scotland as a world class sailing destination but are important for the local visitor economy, helping to support local businesses and communities across Argyll and the Isles.”
For more information about the Festival of the Sea and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race’s stopover in Scotland, visit oban.org.uk/clipper-race. To follow the yachts' progress visit: clipperroundtheworld.com
