Isle of Skye & The Inner Hebrides

• 6 Night Cruises
• Argyll & Hebrides
• Highlands
• Scheduled Cruises for 2023

A feast for the eyes and a journey for the soul – you can’t help but enjoy our breath taking journey cruising the Isle of Skye and the Inner Hebrides. Full of majestic and mystical sights bathed in historical folklore with its ancient structures gifted by man and nature.

Unimaginable views are in abundance on this cruise. The Isle of Skye is home to a multitude of ancient castles, fairy wishing pools as well as the Old Man of Storr, featured in the iconic scene from the movie Prometheus. All of which is simply enhanced by the multitude of rare birds and wildlife. The Inner Hebrides and the islands most commonly known as the Small Isles provide an amazing array of wildlife and secret little bays awash with the spirit of Scotland.

Passing places, anchorages and ports

Oban

Our gateway to the highlands and islands ……. Historically a fishing and trading village until the Victorian steamers started arriving in larger numbers to this pretty village, Oban grew into a town as it became a main stopping off point for the Western Isles.

Set in a natural bay, it is largely protected from wilder weather and has some beautiful seaside shops to visit. At the top of the hill behind the bay sits McCaig’s Tower or the Folly as it is better known. Built in 1902, McCaig built the colosseum style structure as a lasting testament to his family and also to provide work for the local tradesmen. Despite it being a steep walk to the top, the views are spectacular. Oban also boasts a cathedral, castle and golf course and has a rich culture in traditional Scottish music and this is evident with its many festivals. The fresh seafood found here is a must, it is literally from sea to plate!

Tobermory

A picture perfect setting of coloured buildings down to the pier surrounded by wooded hills around the bay up to the lighthouse with its playful otters among the rocks. At the bottom of the bay is thought to remain the wreck of a Spanish galleon which fled the English fleet when she anchored in Tobermory to take on provisions. Following a dispute over payment the ship caught fire which caused the gunpowder to explode. She was supposed to have been carrying millions of gold coins when she went to the bottom but no-one has ever managed to find any significant treasure. Tobermory also has its very own chocolate factory.

Sanna Bay

Just north of the tip of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula lies Sanna, famed for its beaches, rocks and dunes that make this one of the prettiest coasts in Scotland. Remote and beautiful, Sanna contains some of the most unusual landscapes in Scotland, a circular heather strewn plain surrounded by a ring of steep and well defined rock hills, the crater of a long extinct volcano. The surrounding views of the water offer both a bright light turquoise or deep dark hues of blue depending on whether the bed is sand or rock. A wild spot with rugged mountains the backdrop to this most memorable and dramatic seascape, Sanna offers generous views with the possibility of catching the odd stolen glimpse of some of Scotland’s most elusive wildlife. Loch Sunart shores play host to sea eagles, otters and pine martens going about their natural business

Mallaig

A working fishing port on the North West coast of Scotland, it is visited often by the famous Jacobite steam train from the Harry Potter movies. Full of character, it remains a tranquil place to visit and at just 200 years old it is rather a new town for Scotland. Benefiting from its new marina and the local art shops serving local artisans, Mallaig has one of the best wee fish and chip shops and has seen many drive from the central belt for the day and a fish supper – including us!

Loch Nevis

Loch Nevis is a sea loch with shallow shingle beaches, imposing mountains at either side and unparalleled views of Ben Nevis. The shores are dotted with stone farmhouses from various dates throughout the ages. In the evening you can see the sun setting over the Isle of Skye which is quite something to behold. A likely opportunity to visit Britains’s remotest pub, The Old Forge at Inverie on the Knyodart penninsula

Eilean Donan Castle

At the point where three great lochs meet and surrounded by majestic and graceful landscapes sits the famed Eilean Donan Castle. Easily recognised from many classic photos of Scotland it is probably the most pictured and iconic of all the Scottish Castles and one of the most visited attractions in the Highlands. Originally the site of a monastic cell in 634AD, the first castle was later established by Alexander II in the 13th century in an effort to help protect the area from Viking incursions. Since then at least four different versions of the Castle have stood and you can explore all the castle and journey through its history. Used as a location in the movie “Highlander”, it is said that once you have visited you will always yearn to return.

Kyles of Lochalsh

The gateway to the Isle of Skye, Lochalsh village has some beautiful whitewashed cottages that you can see from the water and fantastic views of the world famous Skye Bridge and the Cuillin Range. The surrounding landscape is a haven for deer – both red and roe, as well as golden eagles and otters.

Skye Bridge

The world famous Skye Bridge was built in 1995 and linked Skye to the mainland. It is actually two bridges, which use the island of Eilean Ban as a stepping stone. The site of political turmoil when it was completed as a levy was charged to cross, many a dispute and stand-off was had and soon the bridge was free to cross.

Plockton

On the shores of Loch Carron, Plockton was the location for the TV series Hamish Macbeth, starring Robert Carlyle and was also used in “The Wicker Man”. Sitting in a sheltered bay, its temperate climate is home to coral beaches and stunning scenery at every turn. Considered one of the most sought after places to live or holiday in Scotland, it is always a pleasure to visit here.

Isle of Rasaay

From the Norse language meaning Isle of the Red Deer, the island is home to Dun Caan – a unique flat topped peak of 1456ft and also Inverarish village – where many German prisoners of war were held during World War I. They were used to work the iron ore mines and create shells and it was reported to contravene The Hague conventions. Covered up by the government in 1920, much of the paperwork was destroyed. What is fascinating is that the locals used to regularly sneak food for the prisoners, supporting them however they could. The island was home to life more than 9000 years ago and was more densely populated during medieval times with remains of a 13^th century chapel dedicated to St Moluag and the ruined castle at Brochel.

Take time to look out for Golden eagles who are known to nest on the island.

Portree

The main town on Skye was once known as Kings Port after its visit by King James V in 1540. Later, the town was visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746 as he bade goodbye to his love, Flora MacDonald. The island became more developed in the 1820s when Scottish architect Thomas Telford built roads to other developing towns. He was also responsible for the construction of the pier in Portree. The harbour is still the main focus for the town and is surrounded by a mix of brightly painted houses and stonewashed cottages. As a family, we love it here as it has a collection of good shops, great places to eat and some fantastic pubs!

Kylerhea

On the east coast of Skye, Kylerhea is perhaps best known for its otter sanctuary. Timid and shy, these secretive creatures are less easy to spot than the seals who often bask on the shore. Stonechats, willow warblers and wood warblers sing from perches just off the path. Bold robins and chaffinches will hop around the path just inches away from your toes.

Isle Ornsay

One of the most attractive villages on Skye sits on the edge of a spectacular natural harbour. The stone piers were constructed in the 1820s allowing the village to become a commercial fishing port for herring as well as a stopping off point for steamers travelling out from Glasgow. Due to the steamers arriving and the village becoming a popular tourist resort, Isleornsay became the first place on Skye to boast a public toilet.

Overlooking the Isle of Ornsay, which is accessible by foot at low tide, the mainland mountains serve as the backdrop to the village and the views around the lighthouse on Ornsay are spectacular.

Knock Castle

Just before we reach Armadale Castle, we will pass Knock Bay and the rocky headland on which sits Knock Castle. With sheer drops on each side of it, the best views are to be had by boat.

Dating back to the 1400s the castle was a stalwart fortress that had its own protected harbour making it difficult to attack. Originally the site of an Iron Age fort, the castle changed ownership between the MacLeods and the MacDonalds before being captured by the forces of James I. Abandoned in the 1600s, the castle is said to be still home to its resident ghosts, the Green Lady and also a spirit who is said to watch over the local cattle and protect them from harm.

The Small Isles

Just south of the Isle of Skye lies an archipelago of four small islands – Eigg, Canna, Rum and Muck. Made up of a column of lava, Eigg has a bloodthirsty history of clan rivalry that ended in the death of the islands entire population. Rum is a national nature reserve and is one of Britain’s last wildernesses and is home to the Manx Shearwater that glides straight winged along the surface of the surrounding coast. On the smallest island Muck, a dagger and a number of burial cairns have been found which date back to the Bronze Age, whilst thanks to the Gulf Stream, its waters support a number of rare crabs, small purple sea urchins, and the only British Coral, the “Cup Coral”. Canna, the last of the Small Isles is the archetype of Hebridean islands and displays evidence of the once great volcanic forces which have been at work in the earth’s crust. Wildlife is abundant here both on land and sea allowing you to see nature at its best.