The central pickup and drop-off point for this cruise will be at the West End long-stay car park in Fort William. Our minibus will transport you to Oban for departure, and back from Skye at the end of your cruise.
Please note that this is our intended itinerary but it is of course subject to the weather and tide conditions at the time. We always have a backup plan however so you will still get to see and experience the Hebrides and its wildlife and scenery each day no matter what happens.
Day 1
Meet in Fort William for transfer to Oban and depart on the MV Hjalmar Bjørge passing the Slate Islands and the Garvellachs for Crinan down the coast where we will overnight.
Day 2
Our minibus will meet us in the morning for a short drive to the Knapdale beaver site where we hope to spot signs of beaver activity, and if we are lucky, maybe the beavers themselves.
In the afternoon we will be cruising on the Hjalmar Bjørge out past the northern tip of Jura, possibly spotting the famous Corryvreckan whirlpools, before crossing the Sound of Mull heading towards tonight's anchorage along the Ross of Mull or Iona depending on conditions.
Day 3
Leaving Mull we will head towards the islands of Coll and Tiree, often good for cetaceans and basking sharks, we will be keeping our eyes open for sigsn of both plus taking in the coastal views before anchoring off Coll for the night.
Day 4
Leaving Coll behind we cruise north towards the beautiful and varied landscapes of the Small Isles, with the largest isle of Rum as our most likely destination. You will get to enjoy views of the distant and remote lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point denoting mainland Britain's most westward point. Rum is a great destination for all sorts of wildlife but Manx shearwaters in particular could be a highlight with sights and sounds of them rafting on the sea hopefully. We will take time to explore the island.
Day 5
Leaving the Small Isles we will head for the Sound of Sleat at the southern end of the Isle of Skye - flanked by dramatic Highland and Island scenery on both sides. IsleOrnsay is a pretty little village with a small quayside where will be able to go ashore. It has a nice little art gallery and the bay can be good for wading birds, divers, and raptors too - a 2023 visit found a greenshank and a hen harrier both seen from the quayside.
Day 6
Take the dinghy to the shore in the morning to meet up with the minibus for a chance to explore the interior of Skye and look for more wildlife such as golden and white-tailed eagles, red deer, otters and seals - what we have called the "Skye Five". Heading back to the boat for lunch, the afternoon will see us sailing up the Sound of Sleat and through the Kylerhea Narrows before heading under the Skye Bridge and up the coast to spend our last night in Portree. Lots more chances for seabirds and even cetaceans along the east coast of Skye, plus eagles as well over the hills and cliffs.
Day 7
Saying our farewells to the crew, we will board the minibus for the transfer back to Fort William via the ferry from Armadale on Skye to Mallaig, and then along the famous and picturesque 'Road to the Isles', stopping for a quick look at the dramatic Glenfinnan viaduct and the famous monument to Bonny Prince Charlie.
