Our favourite mussel recipe
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Pip Pedley is one of our onboard chefs for this season and she has provided us with her favourite mussel recipe!
Read MoreThe MacNeils of Barra
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
One of the delights of our cruises is mingling with the local population when we happen to meet them. The history of the people who populate the islands we visit is invariably fascinating and they are justly proud of their roots and ancestry. Barra has a population of 1,000 and the main name is MacNeil. There are of course MacNeils all over the world who are also proud of their heritage
Read MoreIsle of Mull Mussels
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Scottish rope grown mussels produced by Inverlussa Shellfish based in Loch Spelve on the Isle of Mull will take a starring role on BBC TV’s James Martins “Home Comforts” programme later this week.
Read MoreDiaries from St Kilda
Friday, 16 January 2015
THE diaries of a teacher and minister’s wife who lived on St Kilda before the isles were evacuated are to be put online by the National Trust of Scotland.
Read MoreFrom Canna to Coruisk
Saturday, 10 January 2015
The name “The Small Isles” really doesn’t do justice to a unique group of four islands, just south of Skye, each with its own amazing character, culture, scenery and geology.
Read MoreEthically fished seafood in the spotlight
Saturday, 20 December 2014
It’s really pleasing and amazing to see a scallop fisherman on the Isle of Mull featured in a massive advertising campaign in Heathrow Airport. Our good friend and supplier of ethically fished seafood, Guy Grieve of the Ethical Shellfish Company stars in one of four new animated adverts displayed across Heathrow to coincide with the festive season and attract more international visitors to Scotland.
Read MoreCelebrated dolphin appears in Sound of Mull
Saturday, 6 December 2014
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) has provided research information on a recent solitary bottlenose dolphin that has appeared off the Island of Mull this week.
Read MoreCetacean researcher on our 2015 cruises
Thursday, 16 October 2014
Guests on many of our 2015 cruises will be invited to take part in important research on the distribution of the larger marine animals which we encounter on our voyages throughout the Hebrides.
Read MoreSeabird Success for Hebrides
Saturday, 16 August 2014
After several years of bad news on seabird populations on the west coast of Scotland, Dr Richard Luxmoore, Senior Nature Conservation Adviser for the National Trust has reported that several species have had their best season in 10 years.
Read MoreSt Kilda Cruise: Sean Guthrie from The Herald comes aboard
Friday, 1 August 2014
This is Sean Guthrie’s account of his cruise which appeared the The Herald on July 20th 2014
THE value of much you take for granted or overlook can be driven home in the unlikeliest of circumstances, in this case a week among strangers on a converted rescue ship ploughing the seas around the Inner and Outer Hebrides
Read MoreQueen’s Baton arrives on St Kilda
Friday, 11 July 2014
Guests on Elizabeth G watch as the Queen’s Baton arrives on St Kilda! Elizabeth G is enjoying a glorious morning as the Commonwealth Games Baton arrives on St Kilda carried by open-water swimmer Colin MacLeod. Watch the video here>
Read MorePrivate cruise charter the Monachs
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
We were delighted to welcome a particularly favourite group of guests on board for their 6th private charter with us. A very special guest on this cruise is Elizabeth Spanswick who Elizabeth G is named after. We have highlighted the menu on board to give a taste of what the guests enjoyed!
Read MoreBasking Sharks in the Hebrides
Monday, 30 June 2014
The Hebrides is often described as romantic so it is no surprise to find that this may be one of the reasons why one of our most fascinating and rare species visits these waters too!
Read More
We thought the itinerary was well chosen for a varied experience. While sailing near the coastline, the scenery was fabulous of course. When out of sight of land, we were all more intent on spotting birds & cetaceans & Rob was always keen to slow down & manoeuvre to give us the best possible view Some of the landings were a little tricky but all well worth it & we all eventually mastered the art of donning life jackets & boarding the tender. Rob always managed to find us sheltered anchorages, often with views of white-tailed eagles & seals. His local knowledge meant that he could amend the itinerary to suit weather conditions. Although we were unable to land on the Flannan Isles as planned, Rob added in a visit to the Shiants, which more than made up for it. Lynsey has a huge knowledge of wildlife & geology & an amazing ability for spotting cetaceans at a distance. Craig always got us ashore safely & used his experience of the area so suggest suitable walks. For anyone who loves Scotland, has an interest in wildlife, enjoys good food & has even an average amount of fitness & mobility, I’d say “Go for it but make sure you pack clothing for all weathers!"
Jeff Bamforth: 15 June 2021Far-flung islands: Harris, Taransay & the Flannan Isles