Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Coming to Oban!

9th to 26th 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 town is celebrating with a Festival of the Sea, a variety of ticketed and spectator events. See the full programme below.

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! Nevis Radio will be live broadcasting all week from North Pier.

SPECTATOR & TURN UP EVENTS DURING JULY

9th to 11th, North Pier Pontoon - WELCOME THE CLIPPER RACE FLEET - Track their arrival here
10th to 13th, around Oban - CELEBRATE ARGYLL'S HOPE SPOT - Keep your eyes peeled around Oban for window displays. Find out more here
11th July, The View, Party with DJ Simon Abberley - booking not required, just turn up and party from 10pm
11th, 12th & 18th July, 10am - 4pm - FOOD AND CRAFT MARKETS at Stafford Street
11th to 19th July, 10am - 4pm, Rockfield Centre - WOMEN IN WATER PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION - by Oban-based photographer Audrey Thomson. Free admission
12th July, 2pm, Oban Bay Beach, OBAN ROTARY CLUB RAFT RACE - Watch teams compete in this annual fundraiser
14th - 16th July, 10am to 4pm, North Pier, AQUACULTURE REMOTE CLASSROOM (ARC) - A mobile classroom designed to help younger audiences learn about aquaculture using immersive technologies, including VR headsets, so children can plunge to the depths of the sea to learn about how salmon, oysters and mussels are farmed. Free
14th - 17th July, 10am - 4pm, North Pier, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE - Fiona Campbell celebrates the Clipper Race with paintings of yachts, crews and the local area. Meet the artist, live painting throughout the week. Paintings for sale with 30% donation to the RNLI
14th to 17th July, North Pier, RNLI OBAN LIFEBOAT POP UP SHOP - shop and water safety information and merchandise for sale
15th July, 10am to 3pm, Rockfield Centre, OFF THE CHARTS @ROCKFIELD - a day of live demonstrations, creativity and conversation with artists, makers and creative practitioners. Free admission
15th to 17th, 10am to 6pm, 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, TOUR A CLIPPER 70 RACING YACHT - Step on board a Clipper 70 stripped down ocean racing yacht and take a 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
10th to 17th July, from 9.30pm, LIVE MUSIC at Markie Dans. Find out more here
18th July, Oban Bay, OSC KEELBOAT REGATTA - a lively celebration of sailing for the Clipper Race fleet’s return to Scotland’s west coast
18th July, 10am to 4pm, The Rockfield Centre, OBAN CHARTIES DAY - Come along for a fun-packed day celebrating and supporting the local charities that keep Oban healthy, happy, active and fun!
19th BID FAREWELL TO THE CLIPPER RACE!
- 10.30am, Clipper Race Parade from Station Square to North Pier with Oban Pipe Band
- 12pm, Slipping the Lines Ceremony: Cheer on the teams as they slip lines and commence preparations for the Parade of Sail
- 1pm, Parade of Sail - From Kerrera Marina across Oban Bay past Dunollie Lighthouse out to Dunstaffnage
- 3pm Clipper Race Start - View the start
  of the final leg of the Clipper Race from
  the shore outside the Scottish Association
  for Marine Science.
- 12.00pm - 4.00pm Farewell Clipper Party, Dunstaffnage - Food, drink and entertainment provided. Free shuttle bus from Station Square to Dunstaffnage will be available from 11:00 am. Free car parking.

TICKETED & PRE-BOOKING EVENTS DURING JULY

10th July to 18th July, 10am to 5pm, WILD BATHING SAUNA -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 - Try Oban's water-based activities; sailing, rowing or kayaking. Get out on the water, enjoy our coast! Book by emailing osc@obansailingclub.org
12th July, 11am - 1pm, GRAB TRUST LITTER PICK (meet behind Ocean Explorer Centre) - Join us for a litter pick to help keep our beautiful local areas clean. Goodies for all participants and prizes up for grabs for the most litter collected! Meet at the grass on the seaward side of the Ocean Explorer Centre. Book here
12th July, 2.30pm to 4pm, Ganavan Sands, INTRODUCTION TO WILD SWIMMING - Adventure Oban, with Dan the Merman, are hosting a guided intro to wild swimming session. Find out more and book here
13th, 16th & 17th July, BE A MARINE SCIENTIST, 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, 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, Rockfield Centre, 6pm–7pm, CLIPPER RACE DISCOVERY TALK - come and learn about the Clipper Race, the world’s toughest ocean challenge, and how you can get
involved in the next race. Free to attend. Book by emailing ILast@clipper-ventures.com
15th July, 9.30am from North Pier, (1.30pm walk is fully booked), 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, from 11am, Dunollie Castle & Museum - PIRATES, MERMAIDS & THE OCEAN - Bring your little ones to enjoy a family day with treasure hunts, arts & crafts, face painting & storytelling. Buy tickets here
16th July, 7pm - liveArgyll Presents: SKERRYVORE in concert, supported by The Laurettes. Buy tickets here
16th July, 7.30pm, Kerrera Marina - Q&A/PANEL WITH SIR ROBIN KNOX JOHNSTON, TEAM SCOTLAND & OLLY COTTERELL. Buy tickets here
17th July, 5pm, The Manor House, MACALLAN WHISKY TASTING - hosted by Oban Whisky & Fine Wines and presented by Macallan’s Brand ambassador. Tickets cost £40pp. Buy tickets here
17th July, 7.30pm, Rockfield Centre, DONALD WG LINDSAY & FINLAY WELLS - Piper & singer. Pay what you can. Book here
18th July, 1pm, Taynuilt Sports Field, Taynuilt Highland Games - Experience a traditional Highland Games. Find out more here
19th July, 1.30pm, SAMS Ocean Learning Centre, Dunbeg, REMNANTS & REVENANTS: Ghost stories of marine litter - Free workshop for adults / young adults who enjoy making up stories. Register here
22nd - 26th July, North Pier, SPANISH GALEON ANDALUCIA - a full-size 17th century replica, a living museum exhibition ship with 6 decks of interactive exhibits and displays. Book here

Download The Clipper Race Visitor Map

Clipper Map 2026

Background image - Snorkel Trails Argyll

The Clipper Race In Action

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