8 June 2019
Our trip to the Outer Hebrides was exceptional in every way; the talented staff; the comfortable accommodations; the little details (a refreshing glass of Prosecco on the return of each day's trip); the always-full cookie jar; the welcoming and beautifully decorated table spread with good food; the post-dinner discussions and chart-reading with Captain James and our naturalist, Will; the frolicking Bottlenose dolphins "bow riding" upside down next to the "Emma Jane"; the seals lazily lounging on the rocky ledges; the Minke whales; the diving gannets, nesting puffins, and Great Skua (nicknamed "Bonzies" by the Scots.....Will photographed one Bonxie trying to grab a mackerel away from a shearwater); the while fulmars flitting in and out the rocky crevices; and our wonderful trip companions. It was a trip to treasure and relive many times in future years! Every new adventure offered the chance to read and to learn about the many marine birds, the "beasties" (ocean mammals), and the fascinating stories and history of the Outer Hebrides. All experiences were unique; hiking in the Isle of Eigg to the "Massacre Cave"; viewing habitats of nesting puffins, guillemots, shags, fulmars on the cliffs of the "Shiants" and St. Kilda's; seeing the aquaculture salmon rafts stretched in a row off the coast of Skye; steaming across the water to the archipelago of St. Kilda's and experiencing the view of Hirta, St. Kilda's main island, mysteriously rising out of the fog as we approached the island All were memorable experiences. And we were lucky! The weather was perfect for our trip....some light drizzle off and on, some wind but no strong "houlies" (very strong winds)! This is a trip of a lifetime. We recommend it with enthusiasm and with joyful memories! Sally and Alan Gayer June 2019 Private Cruise to the Outer Hebrides and St. Kilda's
Sally and Alan Gayer
We loved our cruise on the Elizabeth G. Craig, Zoe, James and Charlie looked after us all so well; they couldn't have done more. The food was out of this world, absolutely five star! The excursions onto the islands and remote secluded bays were so expertly lead by Zoe. She was constantly on the look for interesting birds and creatures to show us. We were delighted to watch an otter come out of the sea and up the shore and also to see dolphins, sea eagles, razorbills, puffins, guillemots, shags, a skua and the list could go on and on... Craig attended to our every need on board and the captain (James) kindly invited us to go and see the engine room and the also the bridge. Both were fascinating. I would not hesitate to recommend this amazing holiday.
Cath and Martin Jones: 29 April 2023Skye and the Small Isles: Hebridean horizons