The Classic Malts Cruise

We join the World Cruising Club who organise an annual cruise (normally oversubscribed) to visit distilleries at Oban and on the Isles of Skye and Islay.
Each venue hosts social activities including barbecues and ceilidhs as well as providing the opportunity to sample fine malt whiskies. We combine great sailing with an active social scene on a Scottish theme and can choose our own route between the distilleries or can cruise in company.
The cruise covers two weeks and we absorb the charge applied by World Cruising to cover the cost of “Classic Malts” fleeces and caps and a contribution to the hospitality ashore.
The final ceilidh on Islay is a particularly memorable party with dancing, song, superb food, open bar and great conversation (half the population of Islay seem to be there).

Recently Stormdancerhas abandoned this cruise for the waters of the Faroe Islands,Orkney and Shetland but skippered whole boat charter may be arranged aboard other yachts if you wish to participate.

More information at www.worldcruising.com . There have also been articles on the Classic Malts Cruise in both Yachting World and Yachting Monthly magazines – visit www.ybw.com.

We also visit distilleries independently or as part of the Islay Festival in May. Tours and tastings can be arranged. The following coastal distilleries have been included in past itineraries – Loch Ranza, Bushmills, Springband (Campbeltown), Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Jura, Tobermory, Talisker and Highland Park (Orkney). We can plan a week to visit just one or several distilleries.

“Perfect!”
Frank, Olaf and Jorg. Whisky experts, Hamburg Germany

St. Kilda and the Outer Hebrides

St. Kilda is a group of four small islands, the largest of which is Hirta which is a sixty mile passage west of the Outer Hebrides.
The islands and the surrounding marine area are now a World Heritage site and have a fascinating history.
In 1930 the islanders were evacuated at their own request. Until then they had scratched a living over the centuries by snaring birds from amongst the huge population of fulmars, puffins and gannets which nest on the towering cliffs and stacs of the islands. The abandoned village is still there and offers a poignant insight into the lives of the islanders. It is being restored by the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish National Heritage.
This is Europe’s most important sea bird colony and is not easy to reach other than in your own yacht and even then only when sea conditions allow. This cruise appeals to sailors with some experience and those with a taste for adventure.
A visit to the islands may also be possible as part of a “milebuilder” week but by allowing ourselves a couple of days more, we are much more likely to find the “weather window” that we need to get there. We will also be able to visit some of the more out-of-the-way places in the Outer Hebrides.
More information at www.kilda.org.uk.

“Thank you, again, for an excellent week's sailing, which exceeded my high expectations. Reaching St Kilda was a truly memorable experience and the sail in lovely weather around Skye and into Loch Nevis was "chust sublime" as Para Handy would say.”
Peter, Lothian

The Shiants

The Shiants (pronounced “shants”) are a group of three small islands situated to the east of Lewis and north of Skye.
They are privately owned and uninhabited and the only access to the islands is by chartered boat, normally from Stornaway, or in your own yacht.
The islands are home to large colonies of seabirds including Puffins and are gloriously isolated and rugged.
They can be visited as part of a “Western Isles Milebuilder” cruise and may be combined with a complete circumnavigation of Skye, giving us views not only of the Cuillin Hills on Skye but also the mountains and ridges of Torridon on the mainland.

The Orkney Islands

These Cruises from Tobermory will suit those wanting to build miles and experience for Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster preparation or who simply have a sense of adventure.
Once on board we will decide the combination of long day passages or night sailing to allow us to best cover the distance.
Our first port-of-call will be Stromness and from there we explore Scapa Flow with its strong tides and naval history.
The Orkney base will be the capital Kirkwall which has flight and ferry links to the mainland including Inverness and Aberdeen.
The Orkney Islands have many places of interest and we plan to visit the Neolithic village of Skarabrae.
We plan to sail north to the Orkneys along the mainland with views of the magnificent mountains and lochs north of Skye and visits to the Summer Isles and Inverewe Gardens. The return passage may be via the west coast of the Outer Hebrides depending on weather.
More information at www.orkneyheritage.com.

The Shetland Islands

It may come as a surprise to some to learn that Shetland is closer to Bergen than to Aberdeen and is the same distance from London as Milan and further north than Moscow!
The islands were Norse until the 15th century when Scotland annexed both Orkney and Shetland and they still feel very different from the Scottish Mainland
Lerwick is the capital of this archipelago of 100 islands and is our likely destination for crew changes. However we also plan to visit Fair Isle which is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is a well known for it’s bird sanctuary and wonderful flora. The island is some thirty miles north of Orkney and twenty five south of Mainland – the largest island.
More information at www.visitshetland.com