The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen has been named the best event of 2025/26 in the placemaking “Oscars” for the UK and Ireland.
The prestigious honour was revealed last night (Wednesday, June 10) at the Association of Town And City Management Industry Awards in a glittering event in Norwich.
It is the latest high-profile award for the Tall Ships event which was named as Scotland’s best large festival in the prestigious Scottish Event Awards, as well as winning a Regional Contribution Award at the Northern Star Business Awards.
The Tall Ships Races – which were brought to Aberdeen by a partnership including Aberdeen Inspired, Port of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council – were also credited with helping drive a phenomenal boost in tourist visits for the north-east last summer.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired – which nominated the Tall Ships for the TCMI Awards – was delighted to receive the accolade on behalf of the Granite City at the ceremony.
He said: “The TCMI Awards truly are the Oscars of placemaking organisations across the UK and Ireland, so this is a fantastic achievement and a great honour for everyone involved in bringing the Tall Ships to Aberdeen last July.
“It is fitting recognition of the sheer hard work and team spirit behind creating a wonderful event that gave a major boost to Aberdeen and the whole of the north-east, bringing 500,000 visits to the city and injecting £32 million into the local economy.
“Placemaking is all about people, and the people of the Aberdeen really rose to the occasion last July in a way that re-energised the Granite City. It has left a lasting legacy in a renewed pride and faith in our city and what we can achieve when we work together as Team Aberdeen.”
Bob Sanguinetti DL, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “The Tall Ships Races showcased the very best of Aberdeen and its people.
“Stakeholders from across the region came together to plan and deliver four days of festivities that brought huge economic impact and created memories that will last for generations.
“We were proud to play our part in hosting this national landmark event.”
Julie Wood, Chief Officer City Development and Regeneration at Aberdeen City Council, said: “This award is a tremendous endorsement of Aberdeen and the successful delivery of the Tall Ships. It reflects the strength of partnership working across the city and region, with the Council, Aberdeen Inspired, Port of Aberdeen and communities across the North-east working together to deliver something truly exceptional.
“This success also underlines Aberdeen’s growing reputation as a vibrant destination of choice for major events, visitors and investment. Building on that momentum, opportunities such as next year’s World Rally Championship will help further showcase the city’s culture, heritage and sense of place, while supporting jobs, economic growth and our wider reputation on the national and international stage.”
ATCM is a not-for-profit membership organisation, one of the largest dedicated to promoting the vitality and viability of urban centres across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This includes nearly 500 practitioners and partnerships. Its members develop and implement shared visions, strategies and action plans for hundreds of district, town and city centres.
Membership is diverse, consisting of a mix of publicly funded town centre managers, BIDs, Community Interest Companies, Town Teams, town centre businesses, universities and more. They span across the private, public and voluntary sectors and, as a collective, do not have a sector specific agenda. Instead, they are focused on the promotion of healthy places for the benefit of all stakeholders.