Useful Information

What’s included in your cruise

Full-board meals and accommodation are included in the holiday price while on board.
Complimentary hot drinks, including tea, coffee, and mineral water are available, please help yourself or ask your steward or chef for assistance. Alcoholic and soft drinks may be purchased from the bar and should be recorded in the honesty book, with payment settled at the end of the cruise. Please note that only cash is accepted on board. A corkage fee of £10 per bottle of wine and £20 per bottle of spirits applies to any alcohol brought on board.
All meals and snacks, including cakes, biscuits, and fruit, are included. If you have any food allergies or strict dietary requirements and have not yet informed us, please do so as soon as possible. We are happy to accommodate these needs with advance notice, allowing us to make appropriate arrangements while in port ahead of your cruise. Please note that we are unable to cater for personal food dislikes.
Bed linen and towels are provided.
Any berthing fees and vessel operating expenses are included in the overall price.
We occasionally meet up ashore with our own minibus and guides for optional excursions further afield; these are included in the cost of your holiday.
Please note that visits to attractions while ashore are not included unless explicitly stated in the itinerary.

What to bring

Clothing – Please bring practical, layered clothing and appropriate footwear (such as walking boots or sturdy shoes), including waterproof and windproof outerwear, as well as hats and gloves for shore visits and time spent on deck. Wellington boots are not essential unless you prefer to use them for walking. Please note that footwear may become wet during landings; many guests choose to go ashore barefoot while carrying their shoes. Dress on board is informal, and there is no requirement for formal attire at dinner unless you wish to do so. We also recommend bringing soft shoes or slippers for use in cabins and while relaxing in the saloon.
Luggage – Due to limited space in the cabins, we kindly ask that you do not bring hard-sided suitcases. Soft bags are strongly recommended, as they can be more easily stowed and help maximise the available space.
Toiletries – Please ensure you bring all personal toiletries you may require, including a toothbrush. Liquid hand soap is provided in all cabins and bathrooms.
Electronics – You are welcome to bring laptops, cameras, and other electronic devices. Standard 240v power sockets are available in your cabin for charging. Hairdryers are not provided, so please bring your own if required; however, please note they may only be used when the boat’s engine or generator is running.
Library – On board Hjalmar Bjorge, we offer a small, curated library featuring wildlife identification guides; reference books on the flora and fauna of the islands of Scotland’s west coast; and materials on the habitation and history of the islands we visit. A selection of Ordnance Survey maps and walking guides is also available for guest use.
Sundries – Guests are advised to bring sunblock, midge repellent, and sunglasses.

Where will we go?

At the time of booking online, you will have reviewed the cruise overview, which outlines the intended itinerary and destinations, subject to weather and sea conditions. Each morning, your skipper will provide a briefing on the day’s planned route and any available options.

Experience has shown that flexibility is essential, as it is not always possible to reach all planned destinations on the intended day. However, alternative opportunities may arise later in the cruise to visit these locations where conditions allow.

Regardless of the final itinerary, you can expect to experience exceptional scenery and a rich variety of wildlife, both at sea and ashore. From our anchorages, there are opportunities to explore remote landscapes on foot, accessing areas of outstanding natural beauty that are otherwise difficult to reach.

Seasickness

A small number of guests may experience seasickness. As we want you to fully enjoy your holiday, we may adjust our course if the planned route is expected to encounter heavy seas. We therefore recommend that guests come prepared for the possibility of seasickness.

It is advisable to bring suitable medication with you, as it is often helpful to have it to hand if needed. Many passengers choose products such as Stugeron or Kwells. Alternatively, some guests prefer non-medicinal options, such as acupressure wristbands, which are widely available from pharmacies, including battery-operated versions.

Traditional remedies may also be helpful, including ginger (such as stem ginger or ginger biscuits) and green apples, which some find effective in helping to settle the stomach.

Midges

Midges are not a concern while at sea; however, during the summer months they may be encountered when walking on the islands. Some islands are more prone to midges than others.

Guests are therefore advised to take appropriate precautions, such as wearing suitable clothing that covers exposed skin and using insect repellent creams or lotions.

Contact with the “outside world”

Mobile phone signal – Mobile coverage is available in and around the islands; however, due to the remote nature and topography of some areas we visit, signal strength can be limited or intermittent. In certain more remote and sheltered anchorages (including St Kilda), there may be no reception, meaning guests can be out of contact for two to three days at a time. Coverage is, however, gradually improving across the region.
Tracking our progress – Hjalmar Bjorge is fitted with a vessel tracking system, allowing family and friends to follow your journey during the cruise. Progress can be viewed by visiting www.marinetraffic.com and searching for Hjalmar Bjorge.
Emergencies – Guests are welcome to provide friends or relatives at home with our contact numbers and advise that they may be used to reach you in the event of an emergency. The vessel can also be contacted via the Coastguard; in such cases, please ensure the vessel name Hjalmar Bjorge is clearly stated (commonly pronounced “Halma George”). Should you need to return home unexpectedly, we will provide assistance and support wherever possible.

General Safety

Safety and conduct – It is important to note that all guests have a responsibility to act safely while on board the vessel and its tender, and to show consideration and respect for fellow passengers and crew throughout the cruise.
Safety reporting – Guests are kindly requested to inform a member of the crew immediately if they notice anything that may give cause for concern while on board, so that it can be addressed promptly and appropriately.

Departure point

Departure is normally from the new pontoons adjacent to the North Pier in Oban. Access to the pontoons is via a secure gate; if we have your mobile number, the access code will be sent to you by text on the morning of your cruise.

Please keep the skipper’s mobile number to hand should you need to contact us: 07469 486262. Boarding is direct from the pontoons, with no steps or ladders required.

Please aim to arrive at Hjalmar Bjorge for 2:30pm on the day of departure, unless advised otherwise. On the final day of your cruise, you will return to Oban between 10:00-10:30am, where breakfast will be served prior to disembarkation.

Any alternative departure points will be advised in accordance with specific cruise details.

Travelling to Oban

Train: If you are travelling by train, Oban is located on the scenic West Highland Line and is approximately a three-hour journey from Glasgow Queen Street Station, with four departures throughout the day. The North Pier pontoons are a 10-minute walk from Oban railway station.

Bus: A coach service operates from Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station, provided by Citylink.

Car: Oban is easily accessible by road from Central Scotland via the A82 along the western shore of Loch Lomond, continuing either through Tyndrum or via the A83 through Inveraray. If travelling from the south, the journey from Glasgow to Oban typically takes approximately 2.5 hours.

Parking: Car parking in Oban is extremely limited, with very few long-term options available. However, we have an arrangement with the new owners managing parking at Stoddarts of Oban, where vehicles are kept under CCTV protection at their premises in the town centre. This facility is approximately a 10–15 minute walk from the North Pier pontoons, with both indoor and outdoor parking options available.

Pre-booking is essential; please contact them directly on the number provided to confirm current charges and advise that you are cruising with us.

Gregor Morawski: 07717 650435. Email: gregor.morawski@hotmail.com

We also offer two Argyll & Bute Council parking permits, which allow parking in any council-operated car park in Oban, including those located near the North Pier pontoons. Please contact us directly to reserve this option. The cost is £8.00 per day.

Air: From Glasgow Airport, take the Airport Express bus (Service 500) to Glasgow city centre, alighting at George Square adjacent to Queen Street railway station to connect with the train to Oban. Airport bus services operate every 30 minutes, with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes. Fares are approximately £11.00 single or £17.00 for an open return per adult.

Ferry: For those wishing to travel by sea, Oban is a busy ferry port with regular services to and from the islands of Mull, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree, Lismore, Barra, and South Uist.

Useful Numbers

Customer Service: 07871 463755 or 01599 555723 to speak to Linda.
Boat phone: 07469 486262 — this will connect you to Hjalmar Bjorge, the skipper, or a member of the crew. Please use this number only on the days of your cruise, including the day of departure in case of any delays. For all other enquiries, please contact Customer Service.