Lerwick Harbour celebrates its longstanding connection with the Bergen-Shetland Race while welcoming the visiting Nordic Round XL fleet for the first time.
Lerwick Harbour is preparing to welcome crews from across northern Europe this summer as it hosts two international sailing events this summer, bringing visiting yachts and more than 130 visiting yacht crew sailors to Shetland.
The 40th annual Bergen-Shetland Race and the Nordic Round XL adventure cruise will see yachts arrive from Norway, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, with crews berthing at Albert Dock and spending time ashore during their visits.
The 40th annual Bergen-Shetland Race is expected to bring 22 yachts and around 135 sailors to Lerwick on Thursday 18 June. The fleet will berth at Albert Dock before returning to Bergen on Saturday 20 June.
The race remains one of the most enduring maritime links between Shetland and Norway, attracting sailors from several European countries and celebrating four decades of competition in 2026.
Race progress can be followed online via a live tracker, which will be available at shetlandrace.no when the fleet departs Bergen on Wednesday 17 June. Arrival times at Lerwick are subject to weather conditions.
In August, Lerwick will also welcome around 15 yachts taking part in the Nordic Round XL, a three-month voyage organised by Dutch sailing specialists OceanPeople.
The fleet will arrive from Fair Isle on Friday 7 August (ETA 1700) will berth at the seasonal pontoons at Albert Wharf before setting off to continue the journey through Scotland and Norway on Monday 10 August.
The visit forms part of a wider exploration of northern waters and gives crews an opportunity to experience Shetland's maritime heritage, local attractions and island hospitality.
Captain Alexander SimpsonLerwick Port Authority HarbourmasterWe are delighted to welcome visiting crews and yachts to Lerwick Harbour this summer. These events bring people from across northern Europe to Shetland and showcase the harbour's facilities, our maritime connections and the warm welcome visitors receive when they arrive here. The Bergen-Shetland Race has a long and valued history, reflecting the close relationship between Shetland and Norway, while the Nordic Round XL introduces new visitors to the islands as part of an ambitious voyage around northern waters. We look forward to supporting both events and welcoming crews ashore.