Tall ship arrives in Leith

After 8 months at sea, students from Class Afloat – West Island College International will be arriving in Edinburgh today aboard the majestic tall ship SS Sørlandet, the world’s oldest operating fully-rigged tall ship.

With the guidance of a dedicated team of academic faculty and professional mariner crew, high school and university students from seven countries set sail in August 2013 from Ontario, Canada on the voyage of a lifetime. Students attend classes aboard the tall ship, while sailing to over 20 ports of call on 4 continents where they experience local cultural traditions, visit historic sites, participate in voluntary service projects and engage in exciting outdoor activities. Among other ports, this year’s itinerary has included visits to the Azores, Spain, Morocco, Canary Islands, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Barbados, Costa Rica, Cuba and France.

The school will be visiting Edinburgh from May 2 – 6, with the ship docking at Ocean Terminal near the Royal Yacht Britannia. “Class Afloat has not been to Edinburgh since 2009 so we are really looking forward to returning,” says Shipboard Director, Megan MacLeod. “A highlight of our vis will be a visit to Edinburgh Dungeon,” she added.

Upon departure from Edinburgh, the Sørlandet’s voyage continues to Kristiansand, Norway where a graduation ceremony will celebrate the completion of the students’ incredible nine-month voyage of adventure and learning.

Class Afloat welcomes applications from students worldwide. Spaces are available for the 2014/15 academic year, which will take place aboard the Dutch tall ship Gulden Leeuw. More information about Class Afloat and next year’s itinerary is available at www.classafloat.com.