Hebrides: The Sounds of Mull, Luing, Shuna & Jura (St Hilda)

Description

Travel along these world famous Sounds that separate some of the most famous islands of the Inner Hebrides and listen to the myriad sounds of the sea. Whichever Sounds we discover, they have one glorious thing in common. They are all the Sounds of Silence.

Sail by the spectacular islands of the Inner Hebridean isles: Mull, Luing, Shuna, Jura and Lismore. Anchor in tranquil, remote bays. See the incredible wildlife – soaring sea and golden eagles, basking sharks, orca and minke whales, porpoises, dolphins, seabirds and seals. On some of the Hebridean cruises we look at nature through the eyes of a marine biologist and even get out the plankton nets and microscopes.

Do as little or as much as you want. Sit back and enjoy the trip as you travel through the Sounds and sea lochs; view the spectacular mountains and fast running tides that make extraordinary spiral patterns and glassy runs in the sea; marvel at the headland lighthouses and castles and all the wildlife and, if you want, become involved in working the ex-tall ship St Hilda or our wee ship Seahorse II.

The sheltered waters are perfect for learning to sail against a spectacular backdrop of pristine coastline, mountains and forests. For extra fun, bring your kayak and windsurfer, swim from the boat or go ashore on remote islands to explore. Also don’t forget your walking boots for spectacular island walks with wonderful views of the Sounds.

This cruise can be a six or seven night itinerary depending on the dates you choose to travel.

Trip Name

Hebrides: The Sounds of Mull, Luing, Shuna & Jura (St Hilda)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 16.4 metres Passenger Capacity: 6 Cruise the isles (Skye, Mull, Arran, St Kilda, Islay, Jura, Canna, Rum, Barra to name but a famous few) and spectacular coastlines of the Hebrides onboard a classic vessel, the ex-tall ship, St Hilda, a traditional, beamy, 54ft wooden (larch on oak) ketch, fitted with a quiet, six cylinder 112 HP Kelvin engine. St Hilda is a vessel with an incredible Scottish lineage. Built in 1973 to the highest standard (Lloyds 100A1) at St Monans, Fife, by the internationally famous Millers boatyard (a family run business with 200 years of wooden boat building) and designed by G.L Watson, the world famous Glasgow based naval architect, who created the world's first yacht design office in 1873 and designed early America's Cup challengers (such as Thistle, Shamrock II, Valkyrie I and II) as well as the famous racing yacht Britannia. St Hilda was built specifically for sail training with a crew of 20. By 2007 St Hilda was converted for cruising with only eight people - six guests and a skipper and chef - and that is why today she is so spacious inside. St Hilda is one of the smallest of the “Tall Ships” and has competed in several Tall Ship Races. Although St Hilda has sailed across the North Sea on a number of occasions, she is more of a motor sailor than an "ocean greyhound"! We will usually get her under sail during a cruise (weather permitting, of course) however, because of our busy itineraries and like many yachts, we will usually not be able to reach our various night anchorages under sail alone. Accommodation The well-lit, roomy deck saloon is where everyone dines and socialises and where everyone enjoys a convivial atmosphere that is encouraged by shipboard life aboard this sturdy, ocean-going wooden ketch. Cabins are warm and comfortable with six berths for our guests: a spacious double en-suite (with shower, toilet, washbasin and two pretty opening portholes), a twin en-suite (with toilet, washbasin and opening porthole) and a twin cabin (with washbasin). The twin cabins are both close to the toilet and shower rooms which are of a high standard for a yacht. All cabin linen and towels are supplied. The outdoor decks are large and safe, perfect for spotting wildlife and relaxing. You also have some deck space to embark your own equipment such as kayaks and surfboards. You will also be able to use our own inflatable sea kayak. Your Crew Your professional skipper is passionate about boats, sailing, and the natural environment of the islands and sea lochs of the Hebrides and Argyll. He is more than happy to share his knowledge of the area to those on board while ensuring his shipmates have as much fun as possible. You also have your own on board chef who provides wonderful meals, locally-sourced and freshly prepared from the galley.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Days 1 - 7 Hebrides

Some of the places we may visit are:Oban: Your departure point will be Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina), the gateway to the Hebridean isles. After a short introduction to life on board our small ship we lift anchor and set sail to our first destination. Loch Spelve: Loch Spelve is on the south side of Mull. To enter we have to negotiate the narrow entrance. The anchorage in this sheltered loch, which is surrounded by an ancient oak forest, gives us unparalleled views of the mountains of Mull. There are resident otters along its shoreline.Isle of Shuna: Sail along the Isle of Lismore and into the Firth of Lorn and then, with the tide in our favour, (a must as the currents can run at five knots in these parts) we enter the Sound of Luing. We shoot past the famous Fladda lighthouse, the over falls and eddies of these fast running waters make extraordinary spiral patterns and glassy runs in the sea. The waters calm as we pass the southern tip of Luing Island and enter Shuna Sound. Our quiet anchorage off the North coast of the Isle of Shuna is a spot where otters frequently play along the shoreline. On the way to the remote island of Shuna, and at anytime during the trip, we may see soaring sea or golden eagles, basking sharks, whales, porpoises and dolphins, as well as many types of seabirds. Loch Sween: Tidal planning is very important as we will pass the notorious Gulf of Corryvreckan with its six knot tides which can be heard roaring 30 miles inland when there is a storm of wind against them. Then passing the northern headland of Jura, where George Orwell’s cottage can still be seen where he wrote 1984, to sail down the Sound of Jura. The magnificent Munro mountains, the three “Paps of Jura”, can be seen rising over Jura to dominate the southern end of the Sound of Islay. Our destination is an anchorage in the upper reaches of beautiful Loch Sween - its seal population lining its banks to watch us as we pass by. We will pass the natural anchorage of Tayvallich, once a famous Viking harbor.Crinan Canal: We can anchor just outside the Crinan Canal which has truly magnificent scenery and is rich in history, with many world-class heritage sites. It is a designated wildlife reserve with miles of forest walks and cycle ways. Guests can choose to do a three hour walk from Tayvallich to the Crinan Canal.Isle of Luing: Guests can be dropped off at the little village of Toberonochy and do the lovely walk to the Atlantic Islands Centre.Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebrides. If you wish, we can make time to visit the local distillery or visit eagles (Mull is the best place in the UK to see eagles).Loch Aline: In the picturesque Loch Aline there are woodland walks and, at the head of the loch, is ancient Ardtornish estate and woodland gardens.

Day 2 - Please Note:

Please note that your voyage is weather dependent. Weather doesn't just mean good or bad weather. There are many considerations such as tidal gates, wind direction and strength, the strength and direction of currents, overfalls, and fetch.If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as fly fishing, sea eagle tours, whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Visit Oban, Loch Spelve & Isle of Shuna
Discover Loch Sween, Crinan Canal
Explore Isle of Luing, Tobermory & Loch Aline