The much-loved floating music festival from Scotland, Sessions and Sail, is embarking on its maiden Southern Hemisphere voyage in February 2025. The floating festival will set sail from Sydney on the beautifully restored tallship Søren Larsen, and it promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Sessions and Sail, conceived by Scottish musician and tallship captain Barry Nisbet, began its voyage in July 2018. The festival visited picturesque locations such as Mallaig, Arisaig, Knoydart, and the islands of Skye, Canna, Rum, and Eigg that year. And the voyages have continued regularly since.  

This month, Sessions and Sail had its Bluegrass/Americana 2024 trip from September 1st to 7th, aboard the ship Lady of Avenel, with tunes, strumming, picking and good Americana music!

This was a trip for lovers of Bluegrass, Old Time, Country, Swing and American styles in particular. Mandolinist/fiddler Pepita Emmerichs and guitarist Theo Barnard were aboard all week as sail-with tutors who helped make sure the tunes kept going.

Sailing from Oban, the crew explored this unique region of Scotland, helping set sails and steering the ship; playing tunes on deck as they sailed along; and joining in sessions in Lady of Avenel’s comfortable saloon and venues ashore in the evenings.

They planned to visit anchorages and sail the coast around the south of Mull and the islands and coast of Lorne.

This itinerary was similar to what travellers can expect during the Australian voyage. 

Barry Nisbet told Anglo&Celtic: “We love making our Sessions and Sail voyages on the Scottish and Irish coasts; we can’t wait to do the same thing in Australia, play some tunes with Australian musicians, and set sail out of Sydney aboard the beautiful Søren Larsen!”

From February 25th to March 3rd next, the festival will offer a unique mix of sailing and folk music sessions, including tuition, workshops, and more. The voyage will feature some of the festival’s regular tutors, such as Pepita Emmerichs and Theo Barnard from Rain of Animals, as well as Barry Nisbet, who previously served as Mate and Master of the Søren Larsen.

The Søren Larsen is a renowned tall ship, built in 1949 in Denmark. Named after its builder and designer, Søren Larsen, this brigantine has a length of 42.7 meters and a sail area of 627 square meters. 

It was constructed as a cargo vessel, designed to carry goods like grain and stone in the Baltic Sea. The ship is notable for its traditional rigging and classic design, reflecting the maritime craftsmanship of its era.

In the 1970s, the Søren Larsen was restored and refitted as a sailing vessel, transitioning from its role as a cargo ship to a sail training ship and a vessel for chartered voyages. 

The ship has a storied history, having participated in various significant voyages and events, including being featured in the television series The Onedin Line and the film Roots.

The Søren Larsen operates from Sydney, where it is a prominent fixture. It spends a significant portion of its time in Australian waters, where it is used for public and private charters, training voyages, and maritime festivals. The ship is often seen in Sydney Harbour and participates in events such as the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

But why Scottish music on a tall ship?

Scottish music and the sea go hand in hand, connecting remote islands and communities for hundreds of years. This voyage is open to musicians of all levels interested in Scottish music. While at least 50% of participants should be musicians, non-musician berths are also available. The festival welcomes all forms of folk music, with a particular focus on Bluegrass, Scottish/Shetland Trad, and songwriting styles.

The journey promises an array of exciting activities, from masterclasses and music sessions onboard to lively ceilidhs and concerts ashore. Attendees will also have the chance to explore Australia’s stunning coastline and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow music enthusiasts.

Barry said: “We’re very pleased and excited to be having Pepi and Theo from Rain of Animals join us as tutors on our voyage out of Sydney.”

Accommodation is provided in comfortable double cabins with modern amenities, and all meals are included, prepared by the onboard chef. The total cost for the trip is £1,395 (approximately AU$2,670).

For more information, visit the Sessions and Sail website at www.sessionsandsail.com or email barry@sessionsandsail.com.


Pictures: Barry Nisbet and musicians aboard Sessions and Sail. Credit: Facebook/sessionsandsails And, main, The Soren Larsen will play host in 2025. Credit: Wikimedia Commons