The Royal Yacht Britannia reveals plans for new visitor centre and retail experience in Edinburgh

The Royal Yacht Britannia has revealed its plans to open a new visitor centre and retail experience in spring this year.

The enhanced visitor centre will incorporate never-before-seen images and films, setting the scene of the royal yacht’s history.  The new exhibition tells Britannia’s story from the build of the last royal yacht in John Brown's shipyard in Clydebank, through to the ship's new life as a five-star visitor attraction. The new gift shop will sell a range of Britannia-inspired and other gifts.   

Both the new visitor centre and gift shop will be situated on the second floor of Ocean Terminal in Leith, which is currently undergoing redevelopment, including a reconfiguration of the existing space. A replacement enclosed walkway will take visitors directly from Britannia’s visitor centre across to the ship’s top deck, to start their tour.

Developments are also afoot for Britannia’s fleet of former royal racing and sailing yachts: Bloodhound; Bluebottle; and Coweslip.  The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust has invested in restoring the fleet, which was formerly owned by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The trio of yachts will be taking to the water during this year.

Britannia was previously home to Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family for over 40 years, sailing over a million nautical miles around the world, and calling at more than 600 ports in 128 countries. Now based in Leith, it is an exclusive-use evening-events venue, as well as a visitor attraction. Around 350,000 people from across the world visit the yacht each year.

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

 Image: Marc Millar