THE largest flotilla in the Clyde's history sets sail today in a "once in a lifetime" spectacle organised to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.
About 250 different boats including leisure yachts, clippers and elegant small ships piloted by amateur sailing enthusiasts will parade from Greenock harbour to Pacific Quay in Glasgow in a four-hour extravaganza, with members of the public able to watch from Clydeside viewing decks or on board one of the participating ferries.
The Clyde Cruiser passenger ferry and Calmac's newest vessel, the MV Lochinvar, will join the flotilla in Greenock and lead the boats out at around 10am, with the flotilla scheduled to arrive in Glasgow around 1pm.
The event has been organised by the Royal Yachting Association Scotland (RYA Scotland) as part of the cultural festival running alongside the Games until the end of August.
James Stuart, Chief Executive of RYA Scotland, said: "We want to make sure that as many sailors, non-sailors and spectators have the opportunity to make history by being part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
"The Commonwealth Flotilla will mark the culmination of hundreds of journeys to Scotland and Glasgow, and each crew will have their own reasons for making the journey and their own story to tell."
Spectators can watch the flotilla arrive in Glasgow from viewing decks at the Riverside Museum.
Representatives of RYA Scotland will be on site from 11am today to answer questions about the Flotilla event, the boats taking part or how to get involved in sailing at a local level.
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