Scottish Expeditions

Expeditions between 5 & 7 days

Up to a week on the boat allows you to explore extensive stretches of rugged mainland coastline and take in a number of islands including the Isle of Mull. Navigate through the narrow entrance of Loch Spelve to watch Otters foraging along a coastline shrouded in Celtic rainforest from your sheltered anchorage. Search for eagles and Otters on your way to the colourful town of Tobermory, sample some Scottish ‘water’ at the distillery or visit the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust visitor centre, who we support on these expeditions.

The dramatic Small Isles lie north of Mull: from the steep cliffs of Canna to the Puffin colony on Horse Island, the ‘singing sands’ of the quartz beaches on Eigg to the seabirds frequenting Muck, and the National Nature Reserve of Rum famous for Red Deer and Sea Eagles. Discover underwater cities teaming with colourful and bazaar life in the many rock pools. There are myriad species and places to experience and explore.

Other areas north of Oban can include Loch Linnhe with the famous Castle Stalker surrounded by water or squeeze through the high-sided cliffs into Loch Drambuie for a swim in its sheltered waters.

Watch out for Basking Sharks, Minke Whales, dolphins and porpoises as you sail south of Oban to the beautiful island of Luing. With the tides in your favour, speed over the riffles through the Sound of Luing and into the sheltered bays of Shuna. Here the endearing Tysties (Black Guillemots) and Eiders forage and breed. Timing is everything in this area if you want to see the famous whirlpool in the Gulf of Corryvreckan, the third largest permanent whirlpool on earth lying between Scarba and Jura. Back to the mainland and you will find Loch Sween with its resident seals and you can head ashore to explore the mainland from Tayvallich, including the nearby ancient Oak woodlands of Taynish National Nature Reserve.

Expeditions between 8 & 9 days

With a few extra days you can spend more time exploring the areas described above, for example, circumnavigate the Isle of Mull and delve deeper into Iona and the Treshnish Isles and up to one of the Basking Shark ‘hotspots’ by Coll and Tiree.

Sail further south past plummeting Gannets to reach the Islands of Jura and Islay with their Golden and Sea Eagles, Red Deer, seals and Otters, not to mention a number of distilleries. Listen out for Corncrakes and Chough, search for breeding wader and catch a glimpse of Hen Harriers as they quarter over the moors.

Expeditions between 10 & 12 days

Sail across The Minch to the Outer Hebrides and the remote islands of St Kilda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffins. St Kilda invigorates the senses: the sights of the towering sea stacks cloaked in hundreds of thousands Puffins, Gannets, Fulmars and Guillemots are a marvel, but don’t forget to close your eyes and immerse yourself in the cacophony of squawks and cries, flaps and splashes, and of course that unmissable aroma of a seabird city. St Kilda also has its own endemic sub-species; the St Kilda Wren and the St Kilda Wood Mouse, both evolved to survive this remarkably hostile coastal environment.

The island chain of the Outer Hebrides is great for seabirds, waders, raptors, Otters, seals and Red Deer. Two thirds of the elusive British corncrake population can be found here between April to September. Marine megafauna such as Humpback Whales, Risso’s Dolphin, Pilot Whales and White-beaked Dolphins have all been observed in The Minch.

The Isle of Lewis is dominated by distinctive archaeology and extensive peat bogs, speckled with Lochs and Lochans. Harris is known for its rugged hills in the north and fragrant machair in the south. Golden Eagles are widespread throughout these islands and we stand an excellent chance of encountering both these and White-tailed Eagles. The options are endless, with North and South Uist, Berneray and Benbecula all offering spectacular scenic vistas and wonderful wildlife.