Cruise in style and comfort exploring the lochs and islands from the Firth of Clyde to Skye, then, at anchor in a quiet bay, recapture the flavour of the 1930s by enjoying an aperitif on the aft deck, listening to the music of the era as the sun goes down.
There is plenty to look out for if you are interested in wildlife. Gannets, auks and shearwaters are often to be seen, while golden and white tailed eagles are more elusive, though frequently seen in the Sound of Mull. Whales are regularly sighted, as are dolphins and porpoises, and basking sharks can be present in large numbers during their migration north.
History
Human history of the area goes back thousands of years, but little is known of the early peoples of the West Coast, only their legacy of standing stones, crannogs and brochs, and the finds of pottery and jewellery associated with their settlements. However, the spread of Irish monks to the Western Isles, starting in the 6th century, has left numerous early Christian sites. The best known is St Columba’s monastery on Iona, but Inchkenneth, Inchmarnock and Holy Isle, off Arran, were all important centres in the spread of Christianity. But the history of the area is bound up in command of the sea, the shortest routes and the best defences often afforded by sea lochs cutting deep inland. Many place and hill names come from the three centuries of Viking occupation, before they finally relinquished their lands to the Lords of the Isles in the 12th century. A voyage in these waters can be a trip through history as well as a way to unwind and escape from the pressures of modern life.
Cruises
From our winter berth in Greenock we will stay in the Firth of Clyde for April and the early part of May before sailing north to Oban, returning to the Clyde in September. Our preferred pick up points, suitable for arrival by public transport or with parking, are Greenock and Oban respectively. For trips on the Caledonian Canal please note that we will need help with roping and fendering through the locks, so suitable experience is necessary. The Canal Transit Fee is not included in our published prices, this is typically about £300 for Chico. For other departure points or destinations, please contact us to discuss. One limitation over which we have no control is the weather; the best laid plans may need to be adjusted. Fortunately the West Coast is well served with sheltered anchorages and numerous places of interest to explore. We aim to provide a restful holiday, not a test of endurance!
Your cruise can be as long or as short as you’d like, but we recommend that you come for long enough to adjust to the pace of life on board. Our cruises are fully catered, including wine with dinner. Please click here to view a sample menu.
Activities
Once you are settled on board, we will cruise to our first anchorage, leaving time for a leisurely drink before dinner. Each morning we can make a plan for the day, perhaps going ashore by dinghy for a walk, or a visit to a local attraction, before heading off towards our next anchorage, stopping along the way for lunch in a sheltered bay. If you’re a serious walker we can put you ashore with a packed lunch in one place and pick you up in another, or you may prefer a leisurely wander round one of the seaside towns or villages, a round of golf or a cycle ride. You are very welcome to bring golf clubs, or bicycles which can be secured on deck. Alternatively, cycles can be hired by the day in some of the places we visit.
We take parties of two to six people, but only as a single group. No previous boating experience is necessary, but you should be aware that jetties and shorelines can be slippery, and a certain mobility is required to climb in and out of the dinghy. For specific details and requests please contact us.
On board you will be warm and dry, but when going ashore it becomes an outdoor holiday, so we recommend that you bring a warm jacket, wellies, walking boots, and waterproofs of course. It has been known to rain in the west of Scotland!
