My Hebridean Adventure, by Gill Stevens
Introduction
Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Gill Stevens on board one of our cruises. As one of our guests, Gill kindly documented her experience with a day-by-day overview of the trip—from the stunning scenery and wildlife encounters to life on board and daily adventures ashore. Her reflections offer a lovely insight into what it’s like to explore this special part of Scotland by sea with Hebridean Adventures.
Day One
DAY 1 – Boarded the Hjalmar Bjorge at OBAN around mid-day, from the pontoon, settled in and met our fellow passengers, 11 in total including 3 crew members – Tony (Skipper), Steve (Chef) and Colin (Steward/Deck Hand). Tony gave a safety talk and we were served scones, jam and cream before setting sail mid-afternoon. After a calm 4 hour crossing, we anchored at LOCH NA DROMA BUIDHE and enjoyed an evening meal and the sunset before retiring to our cabins.
Day 2
DAY 2 – Breakfast was served around 8am, followed by a 6 hour crossing to our first island – MINGULAY. The crossing was smooth and we stood out on deck spotting wildlife which including minke whale, dolphins and golden eagle. Once anchored we had lunch before getting ready with life jackets for Colin to take us ashore on the tender. We enjoyed a few hours exploring/savouring the island and its beautiful sandy beach in the sunshine and saw a colony of puffins. Once back on the boat, we enjoyed dinner and evening drinks together before returning to our cabins for the night.
Days 3 and 4
Day 3
Left Mingulay after breakfast and had a smooth sail around Barra Head before crossing to PABBAY and SANDRAY ISLANDS, where we spent a few glorious hours ashore in the sunshine. The islands were ABSOLUTELY STUNNING, with turquoise sea and white sand, and more sightings of golden eagle. From Sandray we sailed to CASTLEBAY, BARRA for the night. We had a stroll around Castlebay in the evening sunshine and I enjoyed a glass of Barra gin sitting outside the pub (rude not to!). The bay looked tranquil with mirror reflections. We returned to the boat at around 7pm for dinner.
Day 4
Left Castlebay after breakfast and sailed to SOUTH UIST where we anchored near Uisinis lighthouse for lunch. Then we continued onto LOCHMADDY, NORTH UIST arriving early evening and anchored for the night. We got the tender to the pontoon then found a spot to sit and look for otters, without success, however, they were seen from the boat. I spotted my first white-tailed eagle! We returned to the boat, after a couple of hours, for dinner and to retire for the night.
Day 5
Left Lochmaddy after breakfast for a 4 hour crossing to the SHIANT ISLANDS. The sea was a bit choppier but ok. Tony had mentioned that we could sit in the wheelhouse anytime, which I did, and felt reassured by his ever-calm demeanour! Out on deck later we saw common dolphins riding the bow. Once anchored at the Shiants, Colin took us ashore in two separate groups to explore different areas, whilst being respectful and mindful not to disturb the birds in their natural habitat. We noted many birds, including razorbills, puffins, shags, guillemots, white-tailed eagle… all noted in the boat’s wildlife journal. After another of Steve’s delicious dinners, we settled for the night.
Days 6 and 7
Day 6
DAY 6 – Sailing away from the Shiant Islands after breakfast, we anchored for lunch at Rubha na Leac (Hallaig), RAASAY, and took the rib to the shore. It was a little precarious getting off the rib onto the rocks, but everyone helped each other and it was worth the effort. Some of the group walked up the grassy slopes for a good vantage point, whilst others were happy sitting or strolling along the pebble beach, and two of our party clambered further around the shoreline to reach a waterfall, reporting back that they had seen many fossils. Then back on the boat we sailed onto CAOLAS (KYLE) SCALPAY and anchored for the night.
We enjoyed dinner and drinks together and watched the setting sun cast golden light on a cloud inversion over the mountains
Day 7
DAY 7 – Final day for some of us. Leaving Scalpay after breakfast we sailed a couple of hours in the sunshine to KYLE OF LOCHALSH on the mainland, sailing under Skye Bridge. Four of us disembarked and bade a fond farewell to the remaining passengers and crew who continued their cruise for an extra few days
An amazing week!
TO SUM UP – It was an AMAZING week!! We were fortunate having good weather and saw the islands at their best. We spotted a vast array of birds and other wildlife, all noted in the boat’s journal. Tony (Skipper), Steve (Chef) and Colin (Steward/Deck Hand) were superb and looked after us very well. It was a pleasure sailing on the Hjalmar Bjorge and sharing the experience with our ‘family’ of passengers and crew.
‘Hebridean Adventures’… it does what is says!
Gill Stevens
