Two traditionally rigged tall ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, crewed by a rotating team of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel, sailed into Stromness on Wednesday 6th May , as part of the Full Circle Expedition.
The voyage, coordinated by local veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, aims to raise £300,000 so the charity can purchase a second tall ship to support more veterans facing PTSD, physical injury, isolation and a loss of confidence.
The crew is expected to dock in Stromness for four days. During their stay, the Invictus Flag will be handed over to the city and raised in honour of the crew, local veterans and all those competing at the Invictus Games.
Formalities in Orkney will include a wreath laying over HMS Royal Oak, a civic welcome and flag raising at Stromness Town House, and a visit from the Lord-Lieutenant. The programme also includes a community event, a local school workshop and a public music event. The crew will then sail to Lyness, mooring at Golden Wharf, where they will take part in Arctic Convoy commemorations before departing onward. (More details below)
Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event that uses competitive sport to support the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS service personnel and veterans, bringing together nations from around the world to share their journeys of resilience.
Full Circle set sail from Falmouth on 17 March 2026 and will travel anticlockwise around the UK, stopping at 22 ports in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, before returning to Falmouth on 11 June 2026.
The voyage will carry the Invictus Games Flag around the UK, building momentum towards the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 one-year-to-go event at the NEC in July 2026.
Paul Miller, Army veteran and skipper of Spirit of Falmouth, said:
“Being part of this expedition fills me with real pride. It has reminded me how far I’ve come in my own recovery and how much further we can all go together. Sailing the Invictus Games Flag around the UK is deeply meaningful. It represents courage, determination and community – values that we must hold on to after military service ends.”
“Taking the Invictus Flag on this journey feels especially meaningful. It carries the hopes of so many people rebuilding their lives through courage and community. Seeing Turn to Starboard and the Invictus Games come together in this way is powerful – every mile we sail, and every donation raised, helps build resilience and support the veteran community.”
To donate to Full Circle and help Turn to Starboard purchase a second tall ship, so that the charity can support more veterans facing challenges such as PTSD, physical injury, isolation and loss of confidence. visit: T2S Full Circle Tall Ship Expedition.
Orkney Events:
Wednesday 6th May
1800hrs. Estimated Arrival. – Mooring – Stromness Marina. Orkney Harbour.
Thursday 7th May
- 0900hrs – 1200hrs. Morrisons Mess Deck Morning- Stromness Marina. Orkney Harbour.
- 14:00- Stromness Town House. Flag Handover and Raising-Raised by Lord Lieutenant of Orkney, Elaine Grieve. Lord Lt then to visit boats.
Friday 8th May
0900hrs – 1500hrs. Stromness Primary School Workshop.
Saturday 9th May
- Boats depart for Lyness.
- Mooring – Golden Wharf.
- 1100hrs. Arctic Convoy Memorial Day. T2S Wreath.
- Scapa Flow Museum.
Sunday 10th May
Boats depart directly from Lyness.
Other events can be found here: https://www.turntostarboard.co.uk/full-circle
Sally Terry, CEO of Turn to Starboard said:
“This expedition brings together two organisations committed to empowering veterans through challenge, camaraderie and community, each united in the belief that adventure can be truly transformative.
“While Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 harnesses the spirit of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation, Turn to Starboard draws on the unique challenges of life at sea to rebuild confidence, restore purpose and help veterans navigate life with intention and fulfilment.
“More than a voyage, this expedition is a powerful story of courage, service and renewal, showing how adventure and the sea can heal, inspire and bring people together.
“The journey is divided into five legs, with a crew changeover for each one: Falmouth to Chatham, Chatham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Oban, Oban to Liverpool, and Liverpool back to Falmouth.”
Full Circle forms part of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 Impact Programme. Through teamwork, challenge and time at sea, the expedition will help inspire the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS veterans who are suffering from trauma as a result of their service.
Captain Lee Hazard RN, Director of Special Projects, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 said:
“With the Invictus Games Flag onboard, these remarkable veterans led by Turn to Starboard will utilise their military skills to sail with purpose and skill. Full Circle shows that recovery doesn’t only happen on the field of play – it happens through challenge, connection and community.
“As we build towards Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, the Full Circle Expedition is helping the nation see the strength and resilience of those who serve today and those who have served before them.”
To follow the expedition on social media, visit www.turntostarboard.co.uk and www.invictusgames2027.org; and follow progress through Instagram (@fullcirclet2s and @Birmingham_2027), TikTok (fullcirclet2s and weareinvictusgames), Facebook (Full Circle T2S and Invictus Games Birmingham 2027), and LinkedIn (Turn to Starboard and Invictus Games Birmingham 2027).
Turn to Starboard would like to thank the Invictus Games Foundation, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, principal partner ATCO and our founding partner AirTanker; and partners – Team Forces, Palo Alto, Forces Support and Just Giving ; and official supporters – Aku, Gill, Morrisons, Mustang Survival, NSSLGlobal and SunGod for supporting the Full Circle Expedition.
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