Hospitality from the four Crew and delicious food from the galley are major sources of enjoyment for our guests who are literally pampered from the moment they come on board. The meticulous running of the vessel, especially in terms of safety, comfort and cleanliness, is the essential backdrop to providing the exciting cruising and excellent hospitality that our guests will never forget.
Mealtimes are a highlight with delicious food
The meals served onboard our vessels are legendary. All food is prepared from fresh, local ingredients, creating tasty dishes that get rave reviews from our guests. View our list of Local food Suppliers> A speciality of Hebrides Cruises is hand-dived scallops by Skipper Rob. If Rob is your Skipper he will often dive for fresh scallops to be prepared by the Chef that day. The Skipper and Wildlife Guide join guests at mealtimes, to catch up on the latest adventures and plan the following day’s activities.View our fabulous food gallery>
Be as active or as relaxed as you please
While at sea guests can relax and watch the ever-changing scenery through panoramic windows in the dining deck saloon or from a choice of outdoor decks. Some prefer to join the Skipper in the wheelhouse or the Wildlife Guide on the observation deck, while others enjoy a book or a pre-dinner aperitif on the aft deck. Guests are introduced to the truly magical places of the Hebrides, which the Crew know so well. Stopovers and anchorages are determined by the tides, the weather conditions and the wishes of those on board, with the Skipper making the final decision. There will be opportunities every day to go ashore and explore remote islands and coastlines.
An expert Wildlife Guide on shore trips
A unique service of Hebrides Cruises is to have a Wildlife Guide to accompany guests on walks; our Wildlife Guides and other Crew are immensely knowledgeable about the islands of the Hebrides and their history and wildlife, so be prepared to be educated! We have identified many one-way walking routes where a drop-off at the beginning and pick-up at the end by boat tender makes the excursion a perfect pleasure.
Close encounters and camaraderie make a never-to-be forgotten cruise
Our vessels are equipped to get up close to rugged and otherwise inaccessible sea stacks and coastlines to view large gatherings of sea birds and other rare wildlife, providing a never-to-be-forgotten close encounter with nature. After dinner is a special time when guests and crew together celebrate a fitting end to a great day at sea, with many tales to be told and perhaps a dram or two, often enhanced by a glorious sunset, moonlight on the water or a sky full of stars.
Hi It has taken some time to get around to writing this review - partly because I moved house 10 days after returning from my adventure! I thought long and hard about 'to go or not to go' and eventually took the plunge finally having chance to set foot on Hirta - the island I had first heard about some 30 years before - it was amazing to be there - and on Canna and Sanday, Harris, Vatersay, Rhum and the rest. The food was incredible and the fact that so much care and attention was taken of individual difficulties and allergies was such a relief as I was never worrying if something I abhorred or could eat would turn up on the table! Our skipper (Chris) and Bosun (Craig) were a wealth of knowledge and information which they shared freely and being allowed into the wheelhouse to see Hirta on the horizon and to be able to find out about lighthouse flashes, shipping lanes, navigation and weather reports was fascinating. I have never seen people work so hard and yet maintain such a pleasant, courteous and helpful manner. I had a wonderful time - basking sharks, Minke whales, dolphin bow racing, sea eagles, puffins and wild otter as well as the wild deer on Rhum - magical! I have come back with a diary and head full of memories and an i pad full of photos as well as the deep desire to save my pennies and adventure off again at some future date. Thank you, thank you for making my dreams come true
Una McLean: 16 July 2018St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides