Majestic cruise around the Scottish islands
Mark Twain said: “Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream. Discover”.
In traditional sail away fashion on departure from Oban on board the Glen Tarsan we raise a glass of champagne as we mix and mingle with our fellow guests. But this is a distinctly different kind of cruise ship. She’s a former Irish fishing boat converted into a modern motorised ‘yacht’ accommodating up to 12 passengers (six comfortable en suite double cabins) and crewed by a skipper, cook, engineer and bosun. Varied wildlife, history and heritage itineraries explore the rugged, rocky West Highland coastline and small islands of the Inner Hebrides. On this six night journey we shall circumnavigate the isle of Mull and head south to visit Staffa and Iona with selected ports of call on the way.
Life on board is leisurely and relaxed - we quickly settle into the rhythm of the day’s routine (eat, relax, walk, eat, drink, hike, relax, eat, drink, sleep) as well as the gentle speed of the boat. No worries about sea-sickness travelling at around 7 knots in tranquil waters by day and anchored overnight in a sheltered bay. 9am, Breakfast (fresh fruit, cereal, egg, bacon, venison sausages) before we set off past Lismore lighthouse and up the Sound of Mull. 11.00: Tender boat trip for shore excursion to visit the 13th century Duart Castle standing dramatically on the cliff top. 1pm: Lunch on board (mushroom soup, dressed crab salad, blueberry muffin), then time to start the engine and head NNW towards Tobermory. An afternoon spent on the upper deck with binoculars to spot puffins, gannets diving for fish or seals basking on the rocks. This painterly natural wild landscape is a bird lover’s and photographer’s paradise. 3pm: a coastal walk along a sandy beach to stretch the legs and burn off excess calories from feasts of good food.
This intimate wee ship has the atmosphere of a lively house party and by 6pm it’s cocktail hour as guests gather at the Saloon Bar. On many a fine evening we sit with a G&T on the aft deck as the salmon pink sun slowly sinks on the horizon. Rosie the cook appears with bowls of local mussels or scallops as a fishy appetiser before dinner at 8pm: Roast lamb, sweet potato mash, baby carrots, asparagus; strawberries and cream; Scottish cheese and oatcakes.
Be as lazy or as active as you wish. Sit and read, snooze on a deck lounger, go for a 5 mile hike or try your hand at fishing and your mackerel will be cooked for lunch. Tim the skipper welcomes you on the bridge for a Captain birds eye view of the sea ahead guided by maps, charts, radar and weather reports. Highlights? Watching five dolphins diving and jumping around the bow of the tender boat; listening to Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture as we approach Fingal’s Cave; a distant silhouette of shimmering shapely islands at sunset; on deck before breakfast, breathing in the fresh sea salt air. The Majestic Line cruise is simply magical - an exhilarating and fun “messing about in boats” holiday. It’s the perfect wee boat to charter for your own floating house party with family and friends.
The Majestic Line
Glen Massan – 3/6 night cruises around Cowal, Bute, Arran and Argyll sea lochs
Glen Tarsan – 3/6 night cruises around the Inner Hebrides, Mull, Jura and Islay
All inclusive fares, £650 - £1285.
Private charters with your tailor made itinerary. Tel. + 44 (0) 131 623 5012
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The Majestic Line
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