The story of the schooner Captain Scott is much more than the history of a ship. It is the story of an ambitious experiment in character, leadership and adventure that transformed the lives of hundreds of young people.

Built by Herd & Mackenzie in Buckie, Scotland, in 1971, Captain Scott was created to provide challenging sail-training voyages inspired by the Outward Bound philosophy of Kurt Hahn. During her short but remarkable career, she carried young men on 37 demanding courses, each lasting 26 days, where teamwork, self-reliance and resilience were learned not in a classroom but through the realities of life at sea.

Drawing on his own experience as a trainee aboard Captain Scott immediately after leaving Marlborough, Brian Rice (C3 1966-71) combines personal memories with the analytical eye of a naval architect. He reveals how and why the vessel was conceived, the people whose vision brought her into existence, the challenges of funding and operating her, and the educational principles that shaped every voyage.

Alongside the historical narrative are vivid firsthand accounts from former crew members and trainees. Their recollections range from inspiring achievements and unforgettable adventures to moments of humour and mischief, bringing to life the unique spirit that made Captain Scott so special.

The book also explores the circumstances that led to the schooner’s premature withdrawal from service in 1975, before tracing her remarkable second life in Oman as Shabab Oman. The result is a fascinating blend of maritime history, personal memoir and social history, preserving the legacy of a vessel that left a lasting mark on all who sailed aboard her.

Richly illustrated and deeply researched, this is a compelling account of a pioneering sail-training ship and the people whose lives were shaped by her voyages.

Copies are available via sales@schoonercaptainscott.com.