Celebrating Volunteers' Week 2025
2 June 2025
When cruise ships dock in Aberdeen, the first impression many visitors receive comes not from a guidebook, but from a local smile and a heartfelt welcome. That’s thanks to VisitAberdeenshire’s “Welcome to Aberdeenshire” volunteer programme, which is proudly supported by Peterson Energy Logistics - an initiative designed to enhance the visitor experience while fostering civic pride and community connection.
This June, Volunteer Week (2–8 June) offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate the individuals who make this programme such a success. Their dedication not only supports sustainable tourism, but also ensures that every visitor to Aberdeenshire receives a warm and memorable welcome.
What is the “Welcome to Aberdeenshire” Volunteer Programme?
Launched in 2022, the programme sees local volunteers greet cruise passengers as they arrive, offering personalised advice, directions and insights to help them make the most of their short stay. In many cases, this friendly welcome helps turn a brief stopover into a memorable adventure.
For volunteers like Bert, the rewards go far beyond tourism support: “My participation has proved very rewarding for me in many ways. In particular, it has provided me with new insights into my home city of Aberdeen, and surrounding Aberdeenshire. I have learned a great deal about our history, people, landscapes, architecture and the truly unique character of where we live. I now appreciate and value it even more!”
Raymond, another passionate volunteer, sums up the spirit perfectly: “I strongly feel Aberdeen has a good story to tell.” Whilst Alistair shares his personal feelings towards the programme: “The entire experience has been valuable to me”.
This programme helps volunteers share the city’s unique charm first-hand whilst allowing volunteers the opportunity to develop their interaction skills and knowledge of the region.
Programme success
That passion for place is exactly what VisitAberdeenshire aims to share. In 2024 alone, volunteers contributed 547 hours, an 82% increase from the previous year, highlighting the growing enthusiasm across the region. Support from Aberdeen City Council and local sponsors like Peterson Energy Logistics has enabled further training, recruitment and the introduction of an all-weather information trailer.
Reflecting on it’s success, volunteer Hazel states: “I enjoy helping passengers make the most of their visit through maps and communication skills. The volunteer team and leaders are a great group of like-minded people. We share information and help each other”.
Bert adds: “I have found experiencing how much our visitors invariably enjoy their stay uplifting and it has enhanced even further my sense of pride in where we live. I find it very fulfilling to be given the opportunity to share it with people from all over the world.”
Be part of something special
The Volunteer Programme promotes sustainable, community-led tourism, encouraging visitors to explore authentically, support local businesses and engage with the region’s rich cultural and natural offerings.
Alistair, shares: “Volunteering allows you to try both new activities, develop new skills and meet like-minded people in a relatively low risk environment. You can choose to volunteer at your own pace, do as little or as much as you like and when it suits you to fit in with your own life style”.
With a record-breaking cruise season on the horizon for 2025/26, VisitAberdeenshire’s volunteers are ready to continue offering that signature warm Scottish welcome, making sure every visit starts with a story, a smile and a lasting impression.
Interested in joining next season? Learn more at VisitAberdeenshire’s volunteer page and watch the official video here.