Ocean Youth Trust Scotland

Ocean Youth Trust Scotland Leading outdoor education centre, OYT Scotland, inspires young people through youth work on the waves

⚽⛵ Voyage Update: Nicolson Institute – Sailing North to Ullapool ⛵⚽The young people from The Nicolson Institute have con...
19/06/2026

⚽⛵ Voyage Update: Nicolson Institute – Sailing North to Ullapool ⛵⚽

The young people from The Nicolson Institute have continued their incredible journey north aboard Alba Venturer, with plenty of adventure.

After enjoying some well-earned showers and a chance to stock up on supplies in Tobermory, the crew faced one of the toughest passages of the voyage so far. A long, wet sail around the dramatic Ardnamurchan Point tested everyone before they continued through the Small Isles, timed the tides perfectly at Kyle Rhea and squeezed beneath the iconic Skye Bridge.

Thankfully, the weather has now turned in their favour! With sunshine, calm seas and stunning scenery all around, spirits are high onboard. Today the crew have fully embraced the World Cup atmosphere ahead of Scotland's big match tonight, proudly flying the Saltire on deck and filling the boat with songs, laughter and plenty of Scottish pride. 🏴

A real highlight of the voyage was the stop at Lunga in the Treshnish Isles. The young people explored the island's rugged landscape, climbed to spectacular viewpoints and got up close to some of Scotland's most iconic wildlife, including puffins nesting along the cliffs.

This evening the crew are hoping to anchor near Lochinver for a beach visit tomorrow morning before setting sail for the final leg towards Ullapool, where they are due to arrive on Sunday.

Good luck to Scotland tonight from everyone aboard Alba Venturer! ⚽⛵



Image Descriptions:

1. Crew showing their support for Scotland with the Saltire on deck.
2. Group photo aboard Alba Venturer during the voyage north.
3. Crew enjoying calmer sailing conditions after challenging weather.
4. Young people learning sailing skills while underway at sea.
5. Two young people exploring Lunga in the Treshnish Isles.
6. The group hiking across Lunga’s rugged coastline.
7. Selfie during a sunny shore visit on Lunga.
8. Young people taking in views across the Hebridean coastline.
9. The crew relaxing together while sailing north.
10. A puffin spotted on Lunga during the shore visit.

A great voyage so far with young people from The Nicolson Institute, who are delivering Alba Venturer to Ullapool. ⛵They...
17/06/2026

A great voyage so far with young people from The Nicolson Institute, who are delivering Alba Venturer to Ullapool. ⛵

They set off on Monday, heading to Ardencaple Bay on the Isle of Seil, where they spent their first evening playing pass the squeeze and getting used to the boat.

Then on Tuesday they set off through the Sound of Iona, stopping at Camas Bay on Mull. It was a lovely sunny day until they got hit with a rain shower right at the end - but the young people all powered through! More games followed in the evening, including the famous after eight game.

Today they’re heading around Staffa to anchor off of Lunga in the Treshnish Isles, where they’ll hopefully get some rest, shore time and dinner before they set off again late this evening. They’re planning to head towards Tobermory for a night sail, which is sure to be a highlight of the voyage! 🌠



Image Descriptions:

1. A young person steers at the helm, with their hand raised to their forehead looking out at the horizon.
2. Young people and crew members sit together on deck while sailing.
3. Young people and crew members sit at the galley table, learning knots and looking at instruction in their logbooks.
4. A young person steers at the helm while an OYT Scotland Watchleader sits beside them.
5. Three young people sit on deck, smiling at the camera.
6. Young people and crew members sit around the galley table playing a game.

A brilliant Community Give Back with young people from St Paul's Youth Forum yesterday. 🙌This session was an opportunity...
17/06/2026

A brilliant Community Give Back with young people from St Paul's Youth Forum yesterday. 🙌

This session was an opportunity for the group to deliver positive impact within their community, and we're so proud of the work they completed. Just look at the difference they made in a few hours!

Well done everyone and thank you for all your hard work throughout the programme! 👏

It’s this week, and Fife Young Carers have just completed a brilliant 5-day voyage on Alba Explorer! 🎉This was an opp...
12/06/2026

It’s this week, and Fife Young Carers have just completed a brilliant 5-day voyage on Alba Explorer! 🎉

This was an opportunity for young people to take a break from their caring responsibilities, make new friends and enjoy an adventure at sea.

They returned to Oban Harbour this morning, and left us some amazing feedback:

💬“I absolutely loved helming the ship. It was so much fun”

💬“When I’d usually stay quiet I found it easy to speak to people”

💬“I feel more confident in my abilities.”

💬“This made me understand the value of friendship and teamwork”

💬“I loved every second”

This is what a young carers voyage, and Carers Week, is all about - creating spaces where young carers feel empowered, confident, and valued.

Find out more about Carers Week here 👉 http://www.carersweek.org



Image Descriptions:

1. Two young people walk on a sandy beach. At their feet, “FYC OYT 2026” is written in the sand.

2. Three young people sit on deck, smiling at camera on an overcast day.

3. A young person steers at the helm, while the Skipper stands next to them.

4. Four young people sit on deck and smile at the camera.

5. A sandy beach with gentle waves. a few crew members walk along the shoreline.

6. Crew members stand on deck posing for an end of voyage photo.

🥁 Calling all youth groups, schools, funders, businesses and community members in Ullapool...We’re running an open day! ...
10/06/2026

🥁 Calling all youth groups, schools, funders, businesses and community members in Ullapool...

We’re running an open day!

📍Ullapool Harbour
📅Saturday 4th July 2026
🕐 10am - 2pm

This is a brilliant opportunity to see how we support young people through youth work on the waves, with a tour of Alba Venturer, activities and refreshments. 🤩

Our sea staff will be on hand to chat throughout the day. So, whether you’re a business looking for a sponsorship partnership, a school looking for outdoor residentials, a youth group looking for a transformational youth work experience, or just curious about our work, come along and find out how we can get you onboard!

For more information or any questions contact [email protected]



Image Description:

Poster for "Ocean Youth Trust Scotland's Open Day". Featuring the text: "Step aboard our vessel, Alba Venturer, and see how we support young people through youth work on the waves! Sat 4th July from 10am -2pm at Ullapool Harbour. Come along for a tour of the boat, activities and refreshments. Chat to our sea staff and find out how we can get you onboard. One of the best, most valuable excursions that is available to young people that I have had the privilege to be a part of - Previous Group Leader ". Includes an image of Alba Venturer and a selfie of young crew members.

A huge shout out and thank you to Emily! 💙🎉Not only did she spend a brilliant weekend with friends, marking 4 years canc...
08/06/2026

A huge shout out and thank you to Emily! 💙🎉

Not only did she spend a brilliant weekend with friends, marking 4 years cancer free, she raised an amazing £632 for a cause close to her heart.

This camping and hiking weekend was all about living life to the full, with paddle boarding, river swims, and plenty of walking. ⛺

Unfortunately, due to injury, Emily couldn’t climb Scafell Pike as planned, but her friends took on the challenge for her, reaching the summit and taking a picture with her OYT Scotland t-shirt at the top.

With fundraisers like this, we see the power of friendship and the importance of having a brilliant support network around you. Thank you so much to Emily and her friends for being such inspirations! 💫



Image Descriptions:

1: A group of people gathered under a wooden pergola, posing around a wooden picnic table. Emily, in the middle of the group, holds an OYT Scotland branded t-shirt.

2: Emily’s friends gathered at a stone summit marker, placing their hands together in a celebratory gesture, highlighting a sense of achievement and camaraderie.

3: A group of Emily’s friends at the top of Scafell Pike, posing with an OYT Scotland branded t-shirt.

4: Emily, her dog, and 4 of her friends on paddleboards, surrounded by water with mountains in the background.

5: Emily, 6 of her friends and 2 dogs sit on a stone wall surrounded by green trees. They are on a hiking trip, and smile to camera.

6: Emily and her friends posing at a campsite, with tents, picnic tables and a camper van in a grassy area surrounded by hills and trees.

7: Emily and her dog sit on a paddleboard, surrounded by water with green mountains and hills in the background.

🌟Before comes to an end, we’d like to give a huge shoutout to our Shore Groups! 🌟We have two Shore Groups, both run en...
06/06/2026

🌟Before comes to an end, we’d like to give a huge shoutout to our Shore Groups! 🌟

We have two Shore Groups, both run entirely by volunteers – one covering the Clyde Region, and one covering Aberdeen and the North East.

They work hard to promote the Trust, raise funds, run training courses, and organise social events for members. 🌊

Just last weekend, our North East Shore Group ran a stall at the Rotary Wheels Rally in Crathes, promoting OYT Scotland and sail training to visitors.

If you’d like to find out more and to join your local group, visit our website 👇

https://oytscotland.org.uk/volunteer/volunteer-with-us

And to everyone already involved - thank you so much. We appreciate everything you do for us, this and every week.💙



Image Descriptions:

1: Shows two photographs, one at the top of the image and one at the bottom. In the top photograph 11 members of our North East Shore Group stand together at our seminar. In the bottom photograph a crowd gathers at an OYT Scotland stall.

2: Our volunteer, Ann, holds a trophy high above her head, at the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 award ceremony.

3: Shows two photographs, one at the top of the image and one at the bottom. In the top photograph, our volunteer James is awarded a trophy at the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 by an event official. In the bottom photograph, OYT Scotland volunteers and staff members pose at an OYT Scotland stall,, decorated with bunting, flags and a chalkboard sign.

4: Two OYT Scotland volunteers and a young person stand at the helm of Alba Explorer.

This week, a brilliant all-girl group from Trinity High School have been out on Alba Explorer. ⚓🎉Despite the rain there’...
05/06/2026

This week, a brilliant all-girl group from Trinity High School have been out on Alba Explorer. ⚓🎉

Despite the rain there’s been lots of laughs and good times. They did a loop of Mull, saw puffins and played plenty of games!

Today is the final day of their voyage, and we’re so proud of everything they’ve achieved. They’ve built resilience, worked as a team, developed new skills, and made new friends:

💬“I don’t want to stop sailing”

💬“I enjoyed not having my phone on me all the time and actually talking and making new friends”

💬“I haven't even been on a boat until now and I think it would make me do it again”

A huge well done to everyone onboard! 👏



Image Descriptions:

1: A group of young people wearing waterproofs and lifejackets sit around the galley table, with a chart spread out on it.

2: A young person steers at the helm on a cloudy day.

3: A young person stands on deck, smiling and pointing over their shoulder at the hills in the distance.

4: Three young people and their group leader pose on deck, smiling and making peace signs.

5: Young people work on deck under foggy skies.

6: Crew members sit on deck, all are smiling and some wave to the camera.

This week, young people from St Paul's Youth Forum are onboard Alba Venturer for a Turning The Tide With CashBack voyage...
04/06/2026

This week, young people from St Paul's Youth Forum are onboard Alba Venturer for a Turning The Tide With CashBack voyage. ⛵️

Take a look at their brilliant photos and what they've been up to so far!

It’s and we want to thank the amazing people who give their time to support OYT Scotland. 🌟From staffing our boats an...
02/06/2026

It’s and we want to thank the amazing people who give their time to support OYT Scotland. 🌟

From staffing our boats and helping at refit, to chart corrections and office admin, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.

"The sea staff are a massive credit to OYT Scotland. Their patience, support, and friendliness made the week so enjoyable…Each member of staff created an environment that made the week really special.” - Group Leader ⚓

To all our volunteers, thank you! Your passion, skill and enthusiasm is the backbone of youth work on the waves and we’re incredibly grateful for all that you do. 💙👏



Image Descriptions:
1: Our youth voice and members of sea staff pose for an end of voyage photo, with their arms raised, cheering at the camera.
2: Two volunteers pose with an OYT Scotland photo frame. They are wearing blue OYT Scotland branded t-shirts and pink bucket hats.
3: A volunteer sits on deck, smiling at the camera.
4: Two volunteers pose for a selfie. They both smile, and the volunteer on the right points at the camera.
5: Three volunteers stand on deck, smiling.
6: Two volunteers sit on deck, smiling. They both hold cups of tea.
7: A volunteers stands on deck, posing for the camera.

Address

Victoria House, 5 East Blackhall Street
Greenock
PA151HD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441475722722

Website

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