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.
Wow, what a holiday - it was absolutely fantastic. The crew, fellow passengers and wildlife did not let us down and the weather was particularly kind to us (we even got a tan)! The islands we visited, including Eriskay, Taransay, Monach, Rum, Canna etc were unforgettable, but to reach the pinnacle of the enigmatic islands, St Kilda, was purely magical. The history of this island is unique and only when you get up close can you bring the stories to life - it is really a must-see destination. Personal thanks to Emma, Colin, Richie, Will, Michelle and Ashleigh, both on and offshore cannot be underestimated - all were simply brilliant and we appreciate all they did for us. If you are thinking of a wildlife adventure in comfy surroundings with some top-notch expertise and restaurant-quality food, then look no further than Hebrides Cruises. We hope to come back in the not-too-distant future! Thank you all again for making the trip such a memorable one, never to be forgotten. PS thanks also to Peter May, author, who also helped us to understand the history of the islands (albeit within fictional settings) - his books of the area are well worth a read.
John Thompson / Janette Hastings: 25 July 2022St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides