Focus on St. Kilda (2026)

This travel experience involves exploring the landscapes, culture, and wildlife of the Hebrides. The main goal of this voyage is to reach the remote archipelago of St Kilda, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we will anchor in Village Bay on the island of Hirta and attempt to put you ashore. Additionally, we will cruise around Boreray and its notable stacks, ‘Lee’ and ‘An Armin,’ which are home to the second-largest colony of Northern Gannets in the world. If weather conditions are unfavourable, other less frequently visited islands such as the Shiants may be explored instead. The exact itinerary is subject to local weather conditions and is at the skipper’s discretion.

This small live-aboard vessel allows us to explore remote and beautiful locations in Scotland from unique perspectives, taking advantage of long summer days. We anchor in sheltered areas each night and embark on adventures ashore most days. Each voyage is unique with special moments and encounters. Although not a dedicated photography tour, there will be plenty of photo opportunities, especially at major seabird colonies.

Sea passages offer close encounters with numerous seabirds like Puffins, Gannets, and Eagles. Cetaceans spotted include…  Harbour Porpoises, various dolphins, Minke Whales, with occasional Orcas and Humpback Whales. You might also see Grey and Common Seals, Otters, and sometimes Basking Sharks or rare visitors like Ocean Sunfish.

Please be advised: Our itinerary is designed to ensure smooth transitions between anchorages, as outlined in the provided program. However, due to the capricious, fluctuating weather conditions on Scotland’s West Coast, it may be necessary to amend our destination or timeline for your safety and comfort. Regardless of any changes, the trip and destination anchorages will continue to offer exceptional experiences

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: 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 5: We return to the Sound of Harris, using a route that passes between Hirta and Soay islands, then across to Boreray for a slow, scenic journey around its cliffs and Stacks. Next, we steam east towards North Uist, 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 Uist; or if not, then back through the Sound of Harris and south to one of North Uists  sea lochs, where Seals, Red Deer, Otters, Divers, and Waders abound. We’ll listen to the birds’ calls as we swing at anchor overnight.

Day 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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