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We're the Barque Picton Castle, a sail training tall ship based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada but best known for our adventure sailing voyages around the world.
Join us as we set sail on an all-new epic adventure in May 2008. We'll be crossing the North Atlantic for an exploration of Europe, Africa and the island s of the eastern Atlantic, then crossing the Equator on an amazing studdingsail passage to Brazil before heading North through the islands of the Caribbean and on to home.
It's the adventure of a lifetime—the perfect gap year!—as you learn traditional square-rig sailing and seamanship skills as a full member of a wind ship's crew. And no previous sailing experience is necessary.
Can't join us this time? Follow our adventures online or sign-up for our newsletter.
Highlights
Upcoming Voyages
Voyage of the Atlantic World
May 2008–May 2009
Cast off with us next May as the Barque Picton Castle sets sail on her latest epic adventure, a 12-month exploration of the Atlantic Ocean. This voyage will see you exploring nearly 20 nations on four continents, includes several of the long sea passages that will help turn you into a true square-rigged seafarer.
New Programs
Picton Castle's Bosun School
Picton Castle announces the launch of The Bosun School in Lunenburg, NS. Join us in doing advanced rope-work, wire seizings and splices, basic sailmaking, ship and boat caulking, tar and oil mixtures, proper bosun's chair work and more! Click here for details.
Photo Galleries
The World Through the Lenses of the Picton Castle
Browse or search the new photo galleries and see the places and faces of the friends from around the world.
Latest Log Entries
Captain's Log
Ship’s Work, Abandon Ship and a Party
Friday was a sunny and warm spring day in Lunenburg and the crew of the Picton Castle took advantage of the good weather to get lots of ship’s work done. During these two weeks of preparations for the voyage we are combining training with work to make sure the crew and the ship are [...] Read the complete entry for Ship’s Work, Abandon Ship and a Party
Crew Journals
Coming Home in Halifax
Standing on the dock in Halifax, waiting for the Picton Castle to arrive, was a very odd feeling. As most of those who have sailed on her know, we very rarely get to see the ship come into port because we are normally aboard. It was July 12th and the beginning of Tall Ships Nova Scotia [...] Read the complete entry for Coming Home in Halifax
Our Partners
Mystic Seaport—The Museum of America and the Sea
World-renowned Mystic Seaport - The Museum of America and the Sea, signs on the fourth world voyage of the Picton Castle to relive the voyages of the 1841 Whaling Bark Charles W.Morgan, preserved at Mystic Seaport. Read more about our partners.
World Wise
WorldWise is a non-profit educational foundation that provides much-needed books and school supplies to many of the islands we visit. We feel fortunate to be affiliated with them. On their kid-oriented web site, you'll find more reports from the Picton Castle, written by WorldWise educator and sail trainee Erin Standing. Read more about our partners.
Come Sail With Us
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Sail the Atlantic World
- Leg 1 - Lunenburg to Bergen, Norway via Ireland, UK, Denmark and the Aland Islands
- Leg 2 - Norway to Mallorca, Spain via Netherlands, Germany, UK and France
- Leg 3 - Spain to Grenada via Madeira Islands, Canary Islands, Senegal, Cape Verde and Fernando de Noronha
- Leg 4 - Grenada to Lunenburg via Carriacou, Bequia, Martinique, Dominica, Anguilla, Nevis and BVI
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From the Voyages
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Train With Us
Find your favorite place, experience the world and learn to sail aboard the Picton Castle. Become a Sail Trainee.
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Trainee Testimonials
Although my initial goal was to learn to sail a tall ship, my expereince has reached far beyond my expectations. There is much more to tall ships than just sailing.






