St Kilda and Outer Hebrides Explorer 2027

his expedition-style voyage focuses on exploring the landscapes, culture and wildlife of the Hebrides, with the primary goal of reaching the remote archipelago of St Kilda. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its natural and cultural importance, St Kilda lies far out in the Atlantic and remains one of Europe’s most extraordinary island groups.

When conditions allow, we will anchor in Village Bay on Hirta and attempt to put guests ashore to explore the island. We also aim to cruise around Boreray and its dramatic sea stacks, Stac Lee and Stac an Armin, which together support the second-largest colony of Northern Gannets in the world. If weather conditions prevent a landing at St Kilda, alternative plans may include exploring other less frequently visited islands such as the Shiant Isles. As with all expedition cruising, the final itinerary is dependent on local conditions and remains at the skipper’s discretion.

Our small live-aboard vessel allows us to explore remote and beautiful locations from unique perspectives, taking advantage of long summer days. Each night we anchor in sheltered bays, with opportunities to go ashore on most days. Every voyage is different, shaped by weather, wildlife and sea conditions, creating a series of individual and memorable moments.

Sea passages frequently provide close encounters with seabirds including Puffins, Gannets and Eagles. Cetaceans regularly recorded include Harbour Porpoise, a range of dolphin species and Minke Whales, with occasional sightings of Orca and Humpback Whale. Grey and Common Seals are often seen, along with Otters, and at times Basking Sharks or rarer visitors such as Ocean Sunfish.

Although this is not a dedicated photography tour, the opportunities for photography are exceptional, particularly around major seabird colonies and dramatic coastal scenery.

Please note on our best days our itinerary will be smooth transits from one anchorage to another as shown on the programme we have offered. However, this is the West Coast of Scotland, and we are governed by mother nature. So, on occasion, for your comfort and safety, we may need to tweak the original course that we are looking to follow. But wherever our tweaking takes us, our trip and destination anchorages will always be special.

Day 1: Oban, regarded as the seafood capital of Scotland and known as the Gateway to the Western Isles, will be our starting point. We will begin boarding Hjalmar Bjorge at approximately 14:30 at the pontoons near Oban’s North Pier. A short briefing will follow to acquaint our guests with life aboard the ship, its safety procedures, and get you settled into your accommodation. We aim to cast off at 15:30 and proceed to our first anchorage for the night. Maybe one of the Small Isle’s on these Focus trips.

Day 2: Steam West to the Sound of Harris or North Uist and anchor for the night. (If weather allows, we may head straight to St Kilda, a long but worthwhile journey.)

Day 3: If weather and sea conditions allow, (and we didn’t get there the previous day.) We will head to the St Kilda archipelago as early as possible. The journey will last most of the morning or afternoon and may offer some wildlife sightings. It won’t be long before either Boreray and/or Hirta, hove into view upon the horizon. On arriving in Village Bay, we’ll anchor and visit ashore for an important talk with the Ranger. Then some brief exploration before returning for dinner aboard whilst at anchor in Village Bay; where we will spend the night.

Day 4-5: Spend the day ashore with a pack lunch (again weather depending,) thus permitting you to explore the island at your own pace. Learn about the cultural history of this dual UNESCO and World Heritage Site. The island is home to nearly a million seabirds, unique geographical features, 1500 Cleits, and various, notable beauty spots to visit before returning to Hjalmar Bjorge for a second fabulous night at anchor in Village Bay.

Day 6-7: We return east to the Western isles, using a route that passes across to Boreray for a slow, scenic journey around its cliffs and Stacks. Next, if weather and time allow maybe we could overnight, with a quick expedition ashore, at the Monach Isles that lie just to the west of the Uists; or if not, then back towards the Sound of Barra and one of the Bishop isles of Mingulay, Pabbay and Sandray, where Seals, Red Deer, Otters, Divers, and Waders abound. We’ll listen to the birds’ calls as we swing at anchor overnight.

Day 8: Travelling east into the Sea of the Hebrides, always looking for Minke Whales and Dolphins. Anchor that night at one of the small Isles, Rum, Canna or Eigg.

Day 9: Exploring the island we’ve anchored at we return aboard for lunch then we head off for the shelter of the Sound of Mull once more Heading to an anchorage near Oban, Maybe Loch Aline or Loch Spelve.

Day 10: Enjoy a hearty breakfast, capturing our last glimpses of the wildlife before we land at Oban by 10:30 intime for fond fair wells and your departure