Focus on St. Kilda (with Chris Gomersall)

Slow travel at its best, exploring the rich landscapes, culture and wildlife of the Hebrides. Our over-riding aim on this voyage will be to reach the remote and spectacular St Kilda archipelago, a renowned World Heritage Site, where we may anchor in Village Bay on the island of Hirta and endeavour to put you ashore. We will also cruise around Boreray and its stacks, home to the second largest colony of Northern Gannets in the world. If the weather is really against us, we may opt instead to explore other infrequently visited islands such as the Shiants. Exact itinerary is determined by local conditions and always at the discretion of the skipper.

The nature of this small live-aboard vessel means we can explore some of the most beautiful, remote and otherwise inaccessible locations, and see the jewels of Scotland from an entirely new angle, making the most of the long days of mid-summer. We will anchor somewhere sheltered each night, and most days you will be able to enjoy a walk ashore. Every voyage is different of course, each with its own special moments and encounters. While this is not a dedicated photography tour, there will undoubtedly be photo opportunities along the way, not least at some of the world’s most important seabird colonies.

On passage at sea we will get close to plenty more seabirds and probably a few cetaceans. There are Puffins, Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Great Skuas, Fulmars, etc while Golden and White-tailed Eagle are both regularly seen. Cetaceans generally include Harbour Porpoise, Common, Bottlenose, White-beaked and Risso’s dolphin, Minke Whale (sometimes close enough to smell their breath), with occasional records of Orca and Humpback Whale. Grey and Common Seals are plentiful, and there is a good chance of seeing Otters. Basking Sharks are also a possibility, and even rarer visitors such as Ocean Sunfish sometimes put in an appearance.

Chris will be sailing as your expedition leader, wildlife guide and photography mentor.

Details

• Holiday type: All Inclusive
• Departure/Arrive: Oban, Argyll and Bute
• Vessel: Hjalmar Bjørge
• Max number of guests: 10

For more information visit our Useful Information page.

Please note On our best days our itinerary will be smooth transits from one anchorage to another as shown on the program 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; seafood capital of Scotland and known as the Gateway to the Isles.  Our departure point will be the pontoons just off Oban’s North Pier. We look to start boarding Hjalmar Bjorge at around 14:30, a short briefing introducing our new guests to life aboard ship, its safety procedures and getting you settled into your new home for the next 7 nights. Casting off at 15:30 then heading for the first nights anchorage.

Day 2: Steam for the Sound of Harris or North Uist and a sheltered anchorage for the night.

Day 3: If weather and sea conditions allow, and at the skipper’s discretion, we will be making our way to the St Kilda archipelago which will take most of the day but is well worth the effort. There will be growing anticipation to see first Boreray and Stac Armine before the main island of Hirta appears over the horizon. We will spend the night in Village Bay.

Day 4: We intend to have a full day ashore if weather allows to explore the island and the village and learn about the cultural history of this dual UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Plus, you have nearly a million seabirds to take in! Spend our second night at anchor in Village Bay.

Day 5: We head back to the Sound of Harris and aim for North Uist and the sheltered water sea lochs, home to a varied array of bird and animal life; seals, red deer and otters along with both diver species and waders. We will hear the haunting calls of these birds as we anchor overnight.

Day 6: Today takes us eastwards and back into the Sea of the Hebrides and a chance of more cetacean encounters with species such as minke whales and short-beaked common dolphins.  We will anchor in Loch Sunart or Tobermory.

Day 7: Head down the Sound of Mull and to Loch Spelve; our favourite spot for final night of your adventure. Loch Spelve is found on the east coast of Mull, a short steam from Oban; very sheltered and a hot bed of Eagles, Red Deer and Otters. With spectacular mountain scenery, local walks and the possibility of Mussels from the local Mussel farm.

Day 8: After a very hearty breakfast to see you on your way, it’s back to Oban for 10:30. ready for departure and a fond farewell.