THERE’S some sparkle in the Granite City this weekend as her own warship sails in.
Brand-new £1bn destroyer HMS Diamond sails into Aberdeen for her inaugural visit, taking a break from extensive trials.
Although some of the ship’s company have already forged ties with the Scottish city – and have paid a few visits – the Type 45 destroyer has not.
Trials off the Scottish coast (including some work with the Sea Kings of HMS Gannet) have finally afforded the chance for Diamond herself to drop in on Aberdeen...
...which she’ll be doing tomorrow morning at the city’s Clipper Quay.
The ship will remain there over the weekend, opening up her upper deck to visitors between 1pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, allowing the public to see a little of the hi-tech wizardry which makes her Britain’s most advanced warship – and to chat to the ship’s company without whom that wizardry would count for nought.
As well as the general public, the ship is hosting three local Sea Cadet units, TS Scylla, Gowanlea and Bon Accord, and putting on a capability demonstration (minus firing her main armament obviously...) for Aberdeen’s movers and shakers.
In turn Aberdonians, led by the city’s Lord Provost Peter Stephen, are holding a celebratory dinner at the Beach Ballroom for the ship’s company.
Diamond will be alongside in the harbour until 9am on Monday when she resumes her extensive trials.
A stern shot of HMS Diamond on trials last week off Plymouth - as seen from HMS Monmouth. Picture: LA(Phot) Stu Hill
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