Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Coming to Oban!

10th to 19th July, 2026

The Clipper Race is renowned as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet, welcoming adventurers from all walks of life to take on the exceptional challenge of racing across the world’s oceans on board a 70ft yacht. This unique event sees teams battle extreme conditions on their eleven-month circumnavigation.

The Clipper Race fleet will once again sail into Oban in the summer of 2026. The town is celebrating with a Festival of the Sea, a variety of ticketed and spectator events. See the full programme below.

Oban will form part of Leg 8: Oban's Race to Argyll and the Isles, where Race Crew will take on a furious downwind battle from North America towards the Race Finish port of Portsmouth, UK. As one of the last stops on the global route and warm hospitality provided from the town’s locals, – it’s the perfect place for warm up celebrations!

The Clipper Race In Action

Oban '26 Programme of Events

Join in events in Oban celebrating the many ways to enjoy the coastline and the Clipper Race arrival. Download our Visitor Map below to see where the action takes place!

SPECTATOR & TURN UP EVENTS DURING JULY

10th to 13th, around Oban - Celebrating Argyll's Hope Spot -Keep your eyes peeled around Oban for window displays. Find out more here
10th to 13th, North Pier Pontoon - Welcome The Clipper Race Fleet - Track their arrival here
11th, 12th & 18th July - Food & Craft Markets at Stafford Street
12th July, Oban Bay OSC Keelboat racing - Watch the harbour come alive as Oban’s keelboats race against the spectacular backdrop of Scotland’s west coast
12th July, 2pm, North Pier/Oban Bay Oban Rotary Club Charity Raft Race - Watch teams compete in this annual fundraiser
14th - 17th July Artist in Residence - Fiona Campbell celebrates the Clipper Race with paintings of yachts, crews and the local area. Meet the artist at her stand on the North Pier. Live painting throughout the week. Paintings for sale, 30% to the RNLI
15th to 17th, 9am to 5pm, North Pier - Clipper Race Fanzone - Learn about the Clipper Race, the world’s toughest ocean challenge, and how you can get involved in the next race
15th to 17th, 10am to 6pm, North Pier Pontoon - Tour a Clipper 70 Racing Yacht - Bring the family and step on board a Clipper 70 stripped down ocean racing yacht. Take an above and below deck tour with the Race Crew who have called these yachts home for eleven months - Free and no need to book, but if you would like to reserve a space, use this link
17th to 25th July - enjoy live music at Markie Dans. Find out more here
18th July OSC Keelboat Regatta - a lively celebration of sailing ahead of the Clipper Race fleet’s summer return to Scotland’s west coast
19th Bid farewell to the Clipper Race!
- 12pm to 12.30pm - Slipping the Lines: Come and cheer on the teams as they slip lines and commence preparations for the Parade of Sail from 12:00 pm to 12.30pm
- 1pm, Parade of Sail - From Kerrera Marina across Oban Bay past Dunollie Lighthouse out to Dunstaffnage
- 3pm Clipper Race Start: From Dunstaffnage
- 12.00 - 4.00pm Farewell Clipper Party - View the start of the final leg of the Clipper Race from the shore outside the Scottish Association for Marine Science in Dunbeg. Food, drink and entertainment provided. Transport from Oban will be available. Free parking. Entry free
19th July 50 years of Oban research into our ocean currents 3pm - Scientists at SAMS have been studying the ocean currents between Oban and Iceland for the past 50 years. We will celebrate the ‘Ellett Line’ effort with poetry, art, talks and science displays. Free public event. 1 hour. Meet at the Ocean Explorer Centre reception

TICKETED & PRE-BOOKING EVENTS DURING JULY

10th July to 18th July, Wild Bathing Sauna 10am to 5pm -Take time to relax and recharge by the sea at Ganavan Beach. Buy Tickets here
11th July, 10.30 to 4.00pm - Oban on the Water Event - Come and try Oban's water-based activities; sailing, rowing or kayaking. Contact the relevant organisation for more details Oban Sailing Club, Oban Canoe Club, or Lorn Coastal Rowing Club
12th July, 11am - 1pm, GRAB Trust & Clipper Beach Clean (meet behind Ocean Explorer Centre) - Join us for a beach clean and litter pick to help keep our beautiful local areas clean and see why Plastic Free July is as relevant as ever. Goodies for all participants and prizes up for grabs for the most litter collected! Book here
13th, 16th & 17th July, Be a Marine Scientist Boat Trip, SAMS - Experience what it's like to be a marine scientist! Take a 3-hour trip on the SAMS vessel Seol Mara. Find out more and buy tickets here
14th & 15 July, Glimpse into Marine Science Tour, SAMS - A guided tour of SAMS to learn about current marine science and to visit some of the facilities and labs where the magic happens. Buy Tickets here
15th July, 1.30pm from North Pier, Maritime Walking Tour - Join one of Oban’s local walking tour guides to explore the town’s rich maritime history. Learn about the ancient Galley’s of Lorne, the lasses that followed the herring fleet, Catalina and Sutherland flying boats and Oban’s past role in World War II and its current role as CalMac’s West Coast ferry hub and Northern Lighthouse Board’s Operational HQ. Free event with donations to RNLI. Book your place by emailing experiences@oban.org.uk
16th July - Pirates, Mermaids & The Ocean at Dunollie Museum, Castle & Grounds - Bring your little ones to enjoy a family day with treasure hunts, arts & crafts, face painting & storytelling. Buy tickets here
16th July - liveArgyll Presents: Skerryvore in concert, supported by The Laurettes. Buy tickets here
17th July, 7.30pm Q&A/Panel discussion event with Sir Robin Knox Johnston, Team Scotland crew and Olly Cotterell. Buy tickets here
17th July Macallan Whisky Tasting, 5pm at The Manor House. hosted by Oban Whisky & Fine Wines and presented by Macallan’s Brand ambassador. Tickets are very limited and cost £40pp. Buy tickets here

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2025/6

Every day people, including teachers, chefs, plumbers, students, accountants, firefighters, retirees, geographers, lawyers, software developers and doctors representing over 40 nationalities, will take all that Mother Nature can muster as they embark on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

The Clipper Race spans 40,000 nautical miles around the world, making six ocean crossings and facing all extremities of weather and sea states. From hurricane-force winds to blistering heat, from the isolation of the North Pacific Ocean to living on a yacht with stripped-back facilities and in close quarters with their teammates, this event is a true test of mental and physical fortitude.

BRAND SCOTLAND

Scotland is about to make waves on the world stage — for the first time ever, a fully-branded “Team Scotland” yacht will take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2025-26 edition. Backed by the promotional might of Brand Scotland, the international reach of Diageo, and the marine-science credentials of Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), this entry isn’t just about sailing — it’s Scotland racing around the world.

With a sleek 70-ft ocean racer flying Scotland’s flag, Team Scotland will join crews from across the globe, carrying a message as bold as the seas it will cross: that Scotland is open for business, rich in culture, and ready to welcome ambition, exploration and investment.

Thanks to the combined support — from Government-led trade and country promotion, to private-sector strength, to research-informed stewardship — Scotland’s first Clipper entry is more than a team: it’s a global showcase of identity, opportunity and heritage.

Explore Clipper Race & Argyll

CLIPPER RACE TEAM SCOTLAND

Leading Team Scotland will be the professional Clipper Race sailing duo of Skipper Heather Thomas, supported by First Mate Millie Apperley. Heather’s journey to Clipper Race Skipper began in 2015 when she was awarded a bursary to join the Clipper 2015-16 Race. Fast forward ten years and over 100,000 nautical miles sailed, including twelve ocean crossings and leading Maiden to victory in the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race, she’s back to take the helm of Team Scotland.

Heather will be supported by Millie, who started sailing as a child, completing Tall Ships races and gaining over 14,000 nautical miles of experience across the UK and Greece, and through sailing from Uruguay to the UK in the Ocean Globe Race. Now a Clipper Race First Mate, she’s eager to help lead her team, strengthen her offshore skills, and share her love of the strong bonds formed at sea. Skipper Heather Thomas said: “It’s a real privilege to lead this team and represent Scotland on a global stage. Although I didn't grow up in Scotland, I have spent a lot of time sailing in Scottish waters and have grown to really love the country.

“For me, this campaign isn’t just about the sailing. It’s about sharing what makes Scotland so unique - its resilience, creativity, and pride in where it’s come from. With support from Brand Scotland, Oban Distillery, and a whole team of amazing people behind us, we’re not just racing - we’re telling Scotland’s story. I’m proud to be part of it and can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Support Team Scotland!

Scotland has a yacht taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 25/26. Support our team and track the progress of Team Scotland with the Clipper Race live tracker here

Clipper Race Tracker