Malt Whisky and Wildlife
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Overview
Highlights
- Visit the Malt Whisky capital of the world – Islay
- Enjoy the magnificent Munro mountains
- Visit Lagavulin distillery and other world famous distilleries
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Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Reservations at the distilleries and transport costs (to and back from the boat) are already included in the price.
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Itinerary
Arrive Tobermory, one of the most picturesque towns in the Western Isles and home to one of the oldest (1798) commercial distilleries in Scotland. Here they produce two malts: the un-peated Tobermory and the smoky Ledaig. You can visit the distillery and sample these ...
After breakfast we lift anchor and re-enter the beautiful Sound of Mull. Our destination is the remote island of Shuna. On the way, and at anytime during the trip, we may see soaring white-tailed or golden eagles (Mull is the best place in the UK to see eagles), baski...
Up anchor and down the Shuna Sound with tidal planning again important as we will pass the notorious Gulf of Corryvrecken with its six knot tides which can be heard roaring 30 miles inland when there is a storm of wind against tide. We pass the northern headland of Ju...
We can visit the distillery before lifting anchor and setting sail for the Malt Whisky capital of the world – Islay. Our anchorage is in Kilnaughton Bay, off Port Ellen, which is Islay's main town (the Port Ellen distillery closed in 1983 but the maltings are still in operation).
We are spoilt for choice for distillery visits: Lagavulin distillery is just north of Port Ellen and, close by, are the other world famous distilleries of Ardbeg and Laphroaig. They all use Islay's peaty water and peated malt to give their famous powerful, salty, peat...
Our destination is an anchorage in the upper reaches of beautiful Loch Sween - its seal population lining its banks to watch our progress.
Up anchor and we pass the natural anchorage of Tayvallich, once a famous Viking harbour, and head back down Loch Sween and then up the Sounds of Jura and Luing to our next destination - remote Loch Spelve, on the south side of Mull. Here the anchorage in this sheltered loch with its ancient oak forest gives us unparallel views of the mountains of Mull. There are otters along its shoreline.
Negotiating the narrow entrance to Loch Spelve we head out in to the Firth of Lorn to return by the Sound of Mull to Tobermory where we will finally anchor for the night. Aperitif on deck and then dinner followed by some malts - the end of a perfect voyage.
Disembark by dinghy after breakfast at around 11am. And, if you are not totally malt whiskied-out, there is always the Tobermory distillery!
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with St Hilda Sea Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
St Hilda Sea Adventures Reviews & Ratings
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had a simply marvellous and memorable experience
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some great sightings of cetaceans
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Tour Operator
We provide small ship cruising and wildlife holidays on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland. Our cruises, among the breathtakingly beautiful islands, sea lochs and mountains of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, are truly unforgettable adventures for all ages.
We anchor in the most sheltered, idyllic, safe havens where passengers can visit world famous malt whisky distilleries and remote Scottish islands such as St Kilda, Mull, Skye, Jura, Islay, Staffa and Iona. The magical Scottish seas are full of wildlife both above and below the waves. You can fish, swim, dive, set lobster pots and sail the sea and its lochs and marvel at the dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, otters, sea eagles, myriads of sea birds and the occasional whale. Each day is as action packed or as relaxing as you please.
A cruising holiday on board our small ships is fun and informal. The roomy deck saloons are where everyone dines and socialises and the outdoor decks are perfect for spotting wildlife, relaxing and eating al fresco and, throughout the cruise, you will have the services of your own skipper and cook. There is plenty of room on the decks to carry canoes, windsurfers or cycles. The small ships’ tenders can also take you ashore for some wonderful, serious coastal and cliff walks or you could just wander along the shore beachcombing and examining the pretty seaside rock pools.
Our two, small cruise ships are St Hilda and Seahorse II. St Hilda is a traditional, wooden 54ft ketch. She is an ex-tall ship and sail training vessel and on St Hilda, youngsters and adults love to help work the sails.
Seahorse II (82 feet long) was built to the highest standard for the Norwegian fjords and life in the high northern latitudes and is powerful enough to cruise the many spectacular islands, stacks and lochs of Scotland’s West Coast yet small enough to anchor in remote and hauntingly beautiful places that larger passenger ships are unable to visit. On the spacious aft deck, we have a powerful little crane for launching tenders and sea kayaks. Seahorse II is a sturdy, go-anywhere, yet comfortable adventurer and follows the same itineraries as St Hilda but, on request, can be chartered for longer and even more adventurous passages.
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Logistics
St Hilda is one of the smallest of the “Tall Ships” and has competed in several Tall Ship races. There are two cabins, a roomy, double, en-suite in the aft cabin and in the fore cabin there are four, comfortable berths, with an adjacent toilet and shower . You admire the views from her open decks and eat in an airy, well-lit saloon and, what a pleasure it is, to wake up to the sound of the water lapping against the hull. A truly unforgettable Scotland holiday!
Must be notified to us in writing by the person who made the booking. If you cancel your holiday:
More than 56 days prior to the start of your holiday/cruise, you will only be charged your deposit.
Between 56 and 30 days, you will be charged 50% of the holiday/cruise cost.
Between 30 and 14 days, you will be charged 75% of the holiday/cruise cost.
Note: If less than 14 days before the start of your holiday/cruise or on or after the commencement of the cruise, you must pay the full holiday/cruise cost.
Note: We appreciate that wholly unforeseen events may result in cancellation. In view of the above and for your peace of mind we therefore strongly advise you to take out appropriate comprehensive Accident & Cancellation Insurance at the time of your booking.
No unaccompanied children under the age of sixteen (16) can be carried. No children under the age of eight (8) will be carried unless by prior arrangement and as part of a whole-boat charter. All minors under 18 years of age, no matter what their age, are wholly the responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times. No animals will be carried unless with permission.
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