Yachts from the Clipper Round the World Race berthed in Oban last week after completing the 12th stage of the global event, bringing crews ashore following a 3,115-nautical-mile passage from Washington DC.
Homecoming greeted by music and whisky
The arrival in Argyll and Bute drew a warm civic welcome: crews were met by a piper and welcoming spectators, and each sailor was offered a dram on reaching land. The stop marks only the second time the 40,000-nautical-mile race has come to Scotland, the event having also called at Oban in 2024.
Among those stepping back onto Scottish soil were Sue Smith, 67, of Helensburgh, and Joanne Currie, 56. Both were part of the contingent who have sailed the Atlantic leg as part of the 25/26 edition of the race.
Challenging conditions at sea
Crews reported a mixture of weather during the crossing. Smith, a veteran of three legs in the previous edition, described long periods of heat followed by relentless rain and fog, along with frustrating calms as yachts found themselves becalmed within sight of land. Despite the hardships, Team Scotland completed the crossing in just under 16 days.
“It was really hot for probably a week, and then the rain started, and it was like day and night, endless rain for about five days ... You’re half thinking it’d be so nice to just put on a dry pair of merino leggings or something.”
She spoke candidly about the practical demands of long ocean legs, noting the repeated routine of removing wet clothing, resting, then putting it back on again — an endurance test of both body and morale.
What happens next
The yachts are scheduled to remain in Oban until Sunday before embarking on the final leg back to Portsmouth, bringing to a close this edition of the race.
- Stage completed: Leg 12 — Washington DC to Oban
- Distance sailed: 3,115 nautical miles
- Scottish crew highlighted: Sue Smith (67), Joanne Currie (56)
| Race statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total course (approx.) | 40,000 nautical miles |
| Stage that finished in Oban | Stage 12 |
| Previous Oban stop | 2024 |
The visit brought sporting interest and footfall to Oban’s harbourfront and offered residents the chance to see the fleet up close. For those who followed the leg at sea, the mix of extreme weather, fog and periods of calm underlined the variable nature of ocean racing and the resilience required of amateur and professional crew alike.
Organisers and crews now prepare for the race’s final passage back to Portsmouth, closing out a global circuit that continues to attract international crews and occasional Scottish stopovers.
