Many of our guests are from Australia as part of a major trip around Scotland, the UK or Europe. Our Scottish cruises are the perfect way to see several islands of the Hebrides while taking a break from constant travelling. We were delighted to welcome Autralian guests mother and daughter Hilary and Tania on board Emma Jane and provide them with an individual bespoke cruise experience. Our overseas guests really appreciate our guided shore trips, providing a great insight into the communities, history and nature of the Hebrides. It is very easy to reach our departure point in Oban from Edinburgh or Glasgow,please just get in touch with Emma if you need travel advice. Hilary and Tania were wonderful guests and we really do hope they can come on board again in the future. Their guest companions on board all sent in pictures which are seen in the gallery below. Here is what Tania said about their cruise to Skye and the Small Isles:
"My Mum and I have just been on this wonderful Skye and Small Isles cruise – it was so amazing- the mix of outdoor adventure- heading to shore in a zodiac, walks on the islands, amazing sunsets, wildlife spotting- and yes we did see puffins, Minke whales and dolphins, to name just some- and lots of bird life. But also a life of luxury on Emma Jane- there seemed to be so much space- 3 viewing decks, a large luxurious lounge area, just max 10 passengers, and 4 amazing staff. James- our Skipper – who always managed to find a beautiful and still mooring for the night – and has a great eye for spotting sea creatures, Emma our bosun- worked so hard looking after us all and the boat, Caroline our amazing gourmet chef, and Chris our wildlife and photography expert. The crew were fantastic- we are planning on another cruise as soon as we get a chance to revisit Scotland. My Mum is elderly but adventurous and was fine on this cruise and so well looked after. So if you read this – and are thinking of a trip like this- just book it now- you won’t regret it!"
From Tania and Hilary in Australia.
Oh dear. I had an incredible time on the Emma Jane last year, such a life altering experience that I was just a little nervous; it couldn’t possibly be as good again, could it? But it was…no, it was better. It might feel like happy accident to get good conditions, find amazing sealife, or really feel at home on a boat with twelve strangers, but of course it’s not; it skill, experience, planning, hard work and kindness. This is family, a family business that has created an ethos and atmosphere that flows through the crew (on shore and at sea) so that you feel totally at ease as you are taken by the hand and shown the wonders of the Hebrides. Vanessa, the steward, was bright, attentive and lovely. Chef Nicola cooked and baked delicious and varied food and is the sweetest and happiest person. Lynsay, wow, capable, knowledgeable and a hawkeye that never failed to spot or identify the multitudinous sealife, plus she’s the beautiful artist on display all over the boat! And Skipper Bren, so relaxed and accomplished that everyone assumed it was his umpteenth season on the Emma Jane…I hope he’s tempted back many more times. Thank you so much for showing me such incredible places, giving me unique experiences and indulging a chatty singleton who kept peeling off to sing in caves or check out the Mishnish’s 80-/ and random locals! I really appreciated the care, attention and honesty of the crew, they clearly love their jobs, had endless patience and are really interesting people to talk with. I can’t wait to come back and have booked another cruise aboard the Emma Jane; can it possibly be as good as this one? I’m not nervous. x
Ellen Orrock: 9 September 2023Skye and the Small Isles: Hebridean horizons