Vivi’s report – Skye and Small Isles cruise 20th August
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
We were treated to a surfeit of cetaceans on this cruise! Minke whales, bottlenose and common dolphins and an extremely rare sighting of a pod of at least 40 porpoises. There were also front seat views of an otter and white-tailed eagles amongst other wildlife delights. And of course, the scenery, the sunsets and the
Read MoreVivi’s report: Outer Hebrides Wildlife Adventure Cruise 8 Aug 2016
Monday, 22 August 2016
Weather-wise the cruise was typical Outer Hebrides with a total contrast from very wet and windy to soaking up the hot sun on the top deck or taking a plunge in Loch Nevis! The guests decided against going to St Kilda due to the stormy weather early in the week, enticed by the many other
Read MoreVivi’s cruise report: Private Charter with Turkish Belly Dancing!
Friday, 5 August 2016
Saturday This week’s private charter had a fantastic itinerary that everyone, the guests and the crew alike, were very excited about; Jura, Islay, Colonsay, Staffa, Lunga and Mull were on the list. As we set out from Oban after having enjoyed sparkling wine, scones and canapés we were all holding our fingers firmly
Read MoreSt Kilda & Outer Hebrides Wildlife Cruise 11 – 21 July 2016
Thursday, 28 July 2016
Day1: With our guests onboard and the safety briefing done we left Oban’s North Pier in sunshine and headed west, passing the Isle of Lismore into the Sound of Mull. Straight away it could be seen that we had some enthusiastic birdwatchers and photographers onboard as everyone was up forward looking for birds and taking photos. We were accompanied of course by our onboard guide and professional wildlife photographer Chris Gomersall.
Read MoreSkippers Report: Photography Cruise with Chris Gomersall, 2-10th July
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
We were delighted to welcome back Chris Jackson as the Skipper aboard our annual photography cruise with Chris Gomersall - here is his report. Karen Aspen was Chef and Chris Gomersall took some photos of her delicious food.
Read MorePhotography cruise with Chris Gomersall – wildlife highlights
Tuesday, 12 July 2016
Our Idyllic Islands Hebridean Photography Cruise departing on July 2nd and led by Chris Gomersall provided many wildlife highlights. There were several close sightings of at least 6 different individual white-tailed eagles,
Read MoreVivi’s report: St Kilda & Outer Hebrides Wildlife Adventure Cruise
Thursday, 30 June 2016
We did not reach St Kilda on our latest 10 night St Kilda & Outer Hebrides Wildlife Adventure Cruise, but despite the occasionally strong winds we reached many intriguing islands including Mingulay, which is often called mini-Hirta because of the many resemblances.
Read MoreVivi’s Report: First St Kilda Cruise of the Season
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Ourr first St Kilda trip for the season was a great success thanks to both fantastic guests and crew who both were eager to reach the magical archipelago despite occasional rough seas. And for the millions of birds and fantastic history the islands have to offer it is always worth it in the end with all guests hailing it as a trip of a lifetime
Read MoreVivi’s report from our May Skye and Small Isles cruise
Monday, 16 May 2016
As usual, we welcomed our guests onboard with sparkling wine, canapés and grandma Mary’s scones. Once everyone was settled into their cabins and had been given a safety briefing by Skipper Rob and Bosun Sarah we set off up across the Firth of Lorn and up into the Sound of Mull headed for our first anchor of the night...
Read MoreVivi's report from our first cruise of the season
Wednesday, 11 May 2016
We welcomed our first guests for the season with sparkling wine, canapés and grandma Mary’s famous scones. Once everyone was settled into their cabins and had been given a safety briefing by Skipper Rob and Bosun Sarah we set off up across the Firth of Lorn and up into the Sound of Mull.
Read MoreCruise and cycle the Caledonian Canal
Wednesday, 27 January 2016
The Caledonian Canal Explorer 6-night cruise is a one-way journey through the very heart of Scotland from the east coast to the west coast, along the magnificent Caledonian Canal. The scenery from the boat is outstanding but we have had enquiries from guests who wish to bring their bikes on board.
Read MoreHebrides Cruises contributes to science
Friday, 6 November 2015
For the 2015 season Hebrides Cruises teamed up with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust to become the first cruise company in Scotland to record sightings during their cruises, using the same software as a marine scientist. The Hebrides is one of the best places in Europe for spotting marine megafauna
Read MoreHighlights of our 2015 season
Monday, 2 November 2015
There were so many highlights of our 2015 season that we couldn’t possibly list them all! In particular there were many rare wildlife and nature sightings which were almost a daily occurrence.
Read MoreVivi’s last cruise for the season to Mull and Iona
Friday, 9 October 2015
My last cruise of the season was an autumnal delight, with another colourful landscape behind every corner and wonderful sunny days on Staffa and Iona. We had a double dolphin visit in the Sound of Iona and rounded it all off with the
Read MorePrivate Charter September 2015
Monday, 28 September 2015
Our private charter was a great example of a tailor-made, perfect Hebridean adventure holiday. Hebrides Cruises can provide everything from delicious taste experiences through fresh self-caught seafood, hand-dived scallops and local single-malt tastings and fantastic hiking around scenic mountain lakes to close-up wildlife encounters..
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This must be one of the most relaxing holidays I have ever been on. A lifelong ambition was fulfilled be visiting Staffa and seeing Fingal's Cave and it was every bit as spectacular as I had hoped. Not only did we walk down the route to it to look into it but, thanks to Chris judging the tide to be right, he was able to get us right inside it. Iona and its abbey were impressive too of course and being able to land on Lunga in the Treshnish Islands and see the seabird colonies - puffins galore - was equally marvellous. The sail round Mull was an eye-opener too, seeing lochs from the sea rather than from the land. They were wonderful locations to spend the nights. And the weather was glorious. The wildlife was in abundance too with lots of seabirds and seals and good sightings of cetaceans. Bottle-nosed dolphins were the first up to bow-wave and we also had 4 or 5 Minke whales fishing and a few porpoises, but the most spectacular were over 100 Common Dolphins which came leaping from all directions to accompany us for over an hour. The hospitality on board was as friendly as ever on a Hebrides Cruises's trip thanks to Chris, Craig, Zoe and Sian with her delicious meals. Add to that very compatible fellow-travellers and no WiFi (so no gloomy news) and this was a holiday to be long treasured in the memory.
Helen Mainwood: 23 April 2022Idyllic Islands: Mull, Iona, Staffa & the Treshnish Isles