The Magical Outer Hebrides, Skye and Shiant Isles

The Magical Outer Hebrides, Skye and Shiant Isles

This magical Hebridean cruise (10 nights) wanders through the Scottish isles of the Inner and Outer Hebrides visiting the famous Small Isles (Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna), Isle of Skye and remote Shiant Isles. They are all part of a kaleidoscope of islands scenery: the soft white sandy beaches with turquoise waters of the Outer Hebrides, steep sea cliffs with nesting seabirds and soaring eagles, to the ragged Scottish Highland mountains.  The Outer Hebrides are composed of some 200 islands with evocative names such as Mingulay, Barra, South Uist, Benbecula and Taransay and is one of the world’s remotest and beautiful cruising areas. The Shiants are home to thousands of seabirds with a puffin population of over a quarter of a million! Our stops on the North West of Scotland is dominated by high mountains and remote sea lochs yet we still have time to anchor off the picturesque Highland village of Plockton. 

Included in the cost of the cruise is a tour to the Callanish Standing Stones and the traditional Arnol Blackhouse, via a spectacular white sandy beach on the west coast.

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. Depending upon the weather and nature’s conditions, wildlife viewing varies.  

If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as sea eagle tours or whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request. Excursions and visits ashore are at your own cost.

Some of the places we may visit are:

Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebridean Isles with its famous whisky distillery and colourful waterfront. You can wander along the streets, visit the delightful local museum, perhaps watch a pipe band, admire the wooden fishing boats and take in the long history of this lovely village.

Canna, the Small Isles: Canna is possibly the most beautiful of all the Small islands. There are seabirds galore on the Canna's high sea cliffs - puffins, shags, razorbills, black guillemots, Manx shearwaters - and breeding there, in the high crags, are sea eagles. There are two lovely beaches, three churches, a tiny ruined castle and a population of less than 20! A short climb up Compass Hill gives wonderful views of Skye and our destination, the islands of the Outer Hebrides.

Loch Dunvegan, Isle of Skye: The famous Dunvegan Castle is built on a high rock overlooking the Loch which was the site of an old Norse fort. The castle has been home to the chief of the Clan MacLeod for hundreds of years.

Lochboisdale, South Uist: We can explore the incredible endless beaches and flower-rich Machair of the islands of South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist.

Lochmaddy: Situated on North Uist, Lochmaddy is the island’s main village. The village was probably settled by the Norse and at one time was a base for seventeenth century pirates!

Harris, East Loch Tarbet/Scalpay: This is an island-studded, wide sea loch in the Isle of Harris that makes an interesting overnight anchorage. There is a possible anchorage off the scenic isle of Scalpay which is joined to Harris by a bridge.

Shiant Isles: The so called ‘enchanted’ or ‘holy isles’ in Gaelic, they live up to their name. Situated between Lewis and Harris and northern Skye they are a haven for birdlife. They were once owned by Compton Mackenzie who wrote the famous novel Whisky Galore.

Loch Torridon: This loch takes us deep into the breath-taking mountain scenery of North West Scotland.

Plockton: A most picturesque Scottish Highland village with a natural harbour and wonderful views of Loch Carron. This picture postcard village was famously part of the Hamish Macbeth TV series. 

Loch Nevis via east coast of Skye: Another spectacular sea loch that runs inland from the Sound of Sleat. Surrounded by mountains and is one of the remotest sea lochs in Scotland. On the way we can plan to visit famous attractions on the east coast of Skye such as the Torabhaig Distillery or Armadale Castle. 

Loch Drumbuie: Just south of Oronsay island, another Inner Hebridean island, lies secluded Loch Drumbuie. A squeeze between high sided cliffs and we are in a perfectly sheltered anchorage. We can spend a tranquil night here.