Clipper Race Returns for Spectacular Scottish Homecoming - News

Nice To Sea You in Argyll!

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race returned to Oban for 10 days of festivities celebrating Scotland's world-class sailing waters, coastal landscapes and welcoming communities.

Bringing one of the world's toughest endurance challenges back Argyll & Isles for only the second time in the event's history, the town welcomed more than 400 international sailors and several hundred supporting friends and family.

We caught up with our Regional Director David Adams McGilp to describe the impact on the area’s visitor economy.

Regional Director - Argyll and Isles, David Adams McGilp. Credit: VisitScotland

Can you sum up the experience?

It was fantastic. The people of Oban deserve huge credit for making the Clipper 2025-26 Race so successful. They offered the warm Scottish welcome we are renowned for and contributed to Scotland’s reputation for staging major events.

The colourful Clipper Race yachts looked spectacular in Oban Bay against the backdrop of our wonderful scenery, and I think people are kind of used to seeing them there in July!

It is always a treat to meet some of the crews taking on the challenge of the race.

This year I spoke to a woman who sailed two legs, including the Atlantic crossing to Oban, who told me she had ten people staying in the town to meet her and join in the celebrations.

Another man told me that every person in every shop, pub, restaurant – and on the street – was friendly, welcoming, charming and full of useful information about the town, the Isle of Mull and the wider Argyll & Bute area.

It was also really satisfying to see our partnership work with Argyll and Bute Council, BID4Oban, and the Argyll and Isles Tourism Cooperative deliver another very successful stopover; and the support of so many willing sponsors and volunteers contributed to a vibrant festival atmosphere.

How did VisitScotland support the Clipper Race stopover in Oban?

Along with all the Oban partners, we were able to support the arrival of the fleet, with a special Festival of the Sea, featuring music, culture, maritime activities, family events and sporting experiences for visitors and local communities.

The North Pier became the focus of daytime attractions – including the Clipper Race hub – that brought people into contact with a variety of stallholders and information displays that included details of the course of this year's race and the other host ports.

What was the atmosphere like in Oban?

Electric. The outstanding weather helped a little, but I was really impressed once again by the response of the local community.

The townspeople and local business owners really know how to make people feel welcome, and their familiarity with international visitors really shone through.

Two business operators told me that the week had been the best of the entire summer and were asking if they should gear up for 2028!

Clipper Race's arrival in Oban. Credit: Clipper Race

How will the Clipper Race benefit Scotland?

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was a unique platform to showcase the spectacular scenery in Argyll & Isles, the area’s rich maritime heritage and the warm welcome we can offer visitors.

I think it is safe to say we delivered on all fronts. The organisers commented on the success of the event last time in 2024 and we hope we’ve built on that this time around.

Clipper Race's arrival in Oban. Credit: Clipper Race

How significant is it the Clipper Race returning to Oban so soon?

I think it says a lot about the area’s ability to host major events and what we can offer visitors.

Oban's reputation as an outstanding destination is well deserved: local seafood and other local produce, whisky and other lovingly crafted drinks; a wealth of breathtaking coastal scenery, ancient culture and natural heritage.

Oban is a bustling transport hub and a brilliant base from which to explore some of the Argyll islands and the wider expanse of this extraordinary region.

The town's state-of-the-art North Pier Pontoons, vibrant waterfront, independent businesses and maritime heritage make it an ideal setting for an international sailing event of this scale.

What will it mean for the visitor economy in the area going forward?

This year's direct benefit over the ten-day stopover is estimated to be more than £3 million, with the value of international media exposure measured in tens of millions of pounds.

That's the long-term benefit of hosting prestige international events in small towns – it proves to the world that they have the capability and the capacity, and it puts places into people's minds for future visits.

The best bit is that everyone has a brilliant time.