Cruises/Charters

Cruises to St Kilda OR Orkney & Shetland Isles OR NW and W Ireland

In previous years I have run a selection of cruises to the above venues, usually with St. Kilda in the early summer and another venue in mid summer. I try to note the previous clients' interest and come up with dates to best suit the majority but it is not easy to suit all.

These cruises unless otherwise noted will start and finish at the North Pier in Oban starting as usual on a Sunday at 17.00. The length of the St. Kilda trip is 10 days and the others 12 days.

I suggest that these cruises would suit those who have already gained Day Skipper level at a minimum and those who might like to get one or more 60 mile Yachtmaster qualifying passages under their belt. They will also be a good way of gaining further seatime and mileage. The main aim will, of course, be to cruise in the areas of the Hebrides, Irish coast or Orkneys, to use the boat as a means of getting to some remote parts and to spend some time ashore enjoying the wildlife and special scenery of these wonderful Isles.

In the early part of the season a great number of birds are nesting and raising young on the offlying islands: birds such as gannets, fulmar, puffins and razorbills which are all plentiful in number. In general the wildlife is abundant. Later in the summer whales, dolphins & basking sharks can sometimes be seen, occasionally close to the boat.

The emphasis will not be on instruction but on yourselves taking full charge to plan your passages, pilotage, and navigation to suit wind and weather and the ambitions of those aboard. Exactly where we will get to, I am not sure. A lot will depend on the wind but the following are possibilities.

St Kilda Cruise

The St. Kilda trip probably will try and sail direct to the Outer Hebrides by way of the Sound of Mull or to the south of Mull and past Tiree to arrive at the southern end of the Isles or at the Sound of Harris. The timing of the run out to St. Kilda is totally dependent on having fair weather for staying at Village Bay the only anchorage and landing. It is hoped that we might be able to spend a full day exploring ashore as it is a wonderful place.

The remaining time could be spent enjoying the delights of cruising the multitudes of islands and anchorages of the Outer Hebrides. We are usually successful in our aim and have a good sail out and back and quiet conditions to see the group to good advantage. 1994 a large swell was running so alternative plans included a visit to the Shiant Islands, Stornoway, and Inverewe Gardens. Bring walking boots.

The Orkney & Shetland Isles Cruise

The Orkney & Shetland Isles cruise will depart Oban and proceed northward to the Minch and northern Scotland with long passages and onwards to the Orkney group, a beautiful cruising ground, with stunning scenery. The Northern Isles have many historic remains and it is hoped to visit a number of these sites as well as the isles in general where the people are especially welcoming. The Isles lie some 240M from Oban and this should give some fine offshore sailing with a watch system on the outward passage to cover the large distance and gain sea time and mileage. Once in the Orkney group the distances are minimal between the islands and most have good sheltered bays and harbours or piers to give access to the shore. Each island is a bit different and we should be able to get a real feel for the place over a number of days before having to set off on the return route. This may well be a distinctly different passage possibly taking in the coast of Skye or the Outer Hebrides to return to Oban.

The Ireland Cruise

The NW of Ireland is a cruising destination that is little over 100M from Oban and exposed to the Atlantic swells. Very different to the West of Scotland the West of Ireland has sweeping sandy beaches and groups of islands and far fewer well sheltered anchorages.

Donegal Bay is a sizeable indent and beyond it lies a multitude of islands and spectacular scenery like Achill Island. Previously we have got as far as Inishboffin with super weather when the rest of the UK was having grim wet weather. This would be a twelve day trip with some challenging cruising.

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