TEAM SCOTLAND HAS ENTERED THE GROUP CHAT!
Team Scotland has been announced for the Clipper 2025-26 Race line up to be led by Race Skipper Heather Thomas and First Mate Millie Apperley. The UK Government’s Scotland Office (through Brand Scotland) and Oban Distillery (Diageo) have joined forces with a team entry in the upcoming edition.
The Scottish Secretary’s Brand Scotland campaign works to promote Scotland as a place to invest and do business and supports Scottish exporters. For Diageo, a luxury spirits company with an expansive brand portfolio, its purpose is celebrating life, every day, everywhere, and creating one of the best performing, most trusted and respected, consumer companies in the world.
Building on the first ever Scottish Clipper Race stopover during the last edition, this enhanced partnership’s aims are twofold; to boost economic growth, trade promotion and inward investment into Scotland to build the Oban Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand on a global stage, showcasing Oban Distillery Visitor Experience as an iconic Scottish cultural destination with immersive tours and tasting experiences.
The partnership will be supported by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMs), Argyll and Bute – The Place to 2Be, and Oban, which hosted the Clipper Race fleet for the first time during the Clipper 2023-24 Race.
The UK Government’s Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray, said: “It’s incredibly exciting that Brand Scotland is supporting the Scottish Clipper Race team competing in this year's round the world yacht race – and I am very pleased that the race will be coming to Oban next year. The Team Scotland boat will help sell the very best of Scotland around the world, along with the message that Scotland is a great place to visit, do business and invest.
“This partnership agreement follows on from our Brand Scotland deals with the Edinburgh Fringe and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. We are using the best of our cultural offerings to promote Scotland to the world. We are looking forward to working with our other Team Scotland partners during the port calls the race will be making across the globe.
“Brand Scotland is a key part of the UK Government’s plan for change and growing our economy.”
Dafydd Pugh Williams, Managing Director, Scotland Brand Homes at Diageo, said: “We’re proud to support the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and to see Oban - home to one of Scotland’s most iconic distilleries - featured as part of this global journey. Scotch whisky is a powerful symbol of Scotland’s heritage and hospitality, and our network of visitor experiences plays a vital role in welcoming tourists and supporting local communities. This partnership is a fantastic opportunity to share the story of Scotland with the world.”
Leading Team Scotland will be the professional Clipper Race sailing duo of Skipper Heather Thomas, supported by First Mate Millie Apperley. Heather’s journey to Clipper Race Skipper began in 2015 when she was awarded a bursary to join the Clipper 2015-16 Race. Fast forward ten years and over 100,000 nautical miles sailed, including twelve ocean crossings and leading Maiden to victory in the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race, she’s back to take the helm of Team Scotland when the race gets underway on 31 August.
Heather will be supported by Millie who started sailing as a child, completing Tall Ships races and gaining over 14,000 nautical miles of experience across the UK and Greece, and through sailing from Uruguay to the UK in the Ocean Globe Race. Now a Clipper Race First Mate, she’s eager to help lead her team, strengthen her offshore skills, and share her love of the strong bonds formed at sea.
Skipper Heather Thomas said: “It’s a real privilege to lead this team and represent Scotland on a global stage. Although I didn't grow up in Scotland, I have spent a lot of time sailing in Scottish waters and have grown to really love the country.
“For me, this campaign isn’t just about the sailing. It’s about sharing what makes Scotland so unique - its resilience, creativity, and pride in where it’s come from. With support from Brand Scotland, Oban Distillery, and a whole team of amazing people behind us, we’re not just racing - we’re telling Scotland’s story. I’m proud to be part of it and can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Following a successful first stopover, which saw Race Crews embrace the town’s ‘Festival of Sea’ celebrations, this edition’s stopover – now complete with a home team entry and powered by more partners – is set to be bigger than ever.
In addition to hosting events at key ports around the world, Race Partner Diageo will be looking to maximise use of Oban Distillery and its visitor experience in Oban - the perfect warm-up celebrations for the Clipper Race Grand Finale in summer 2026.
The final countdown to the 14th edition of the Clipper Race is underway and Race Start festivities begin next Friday 29 August, running through to Race Start on Sunday 31 August. For full information on festivities and how to watch the action, visit via our dedicated Race Start page.