24 June 2019
We’re just back from a superb 10-night cruise aboard Elizabeth G. It’s our latest trip with Rob and his crew. With en-suite cabins now it’s even more of a luxury trip. Not that we spent much time in the cabin - instead we were generally found on the top observation deck, watching shearwaters dance across the waves, fulmars shoot past effortlessly, gannets flying in squadron-formation and panicky puffins duck beneath our wake. We’re enticed down for two reasons: bow-riding dolphins, when we hang over the bow sharing the excitement and energy of this spectacle with our fellow guests, and food: Mags was our cook preparing fabulous meals with local ingredients, including scallops hand-dived by our skipper, Rob. It was at dinner each evening that Rob would discuss the next day’s itinerary, balancing our wishes with the weather and his incredible knowledge of the most picturesque anchorages. Each day saw us exploring a new island with the help of Nigel our wildlife guide, taken ashore by Rob and Bosun Craig in the tender. And we even got to St Kilda. St Kilda is a unique place with a magical atmosphere; an atmosphere that lingers in part because of its remoteness. Rob found the weather window to allow a 2-night stay and it was here, on our trip round the stacs, that guests and crew came together on the front deck to gaze in awe at the thousands of seabirds around us. As we disembarked, a little sadly, in Oban on our last day I couldn’t help wonder how soon we’ll get the urge to return...
Catrin Lester
I am actually struggling to find the words to express how wonderful this holiday was and how much we enjoyed ourselves during our 6 nights on Emma Jane. This experience was truely like no other holiday I've ever taken. It was well put together and the crew were ready to adapt plans where necessary. Firstly thanks to Emma for her initial assistance when we were making the decision to book or not, and invaluable help on travel advice. Whether we were lucky, but we joined a lovely group of fellow, like minded passengers to spend our 6 nights with. All the crew, Chris, the skipper, Sofia, the steward, Carlton, the chef, and Will the wildlife expert, were individually lovely, helpful, patient, and excellent in their roles. However, the four of them together formed a competent and well organised team. I noted the concentration required to navigate us through the locks, and attention to our safety and enjoyment at all times. The food was amazing Carlton. Hard to pick my favourite dish but the Caesar salad was a stand out. Will, took us on lovely walks to enjoy beautiful scenery, rivers, locks, lochs, canal, waterfalls, birds and fungi. Chris, calm, caring and confident, but firm if he needed to be. We must, however, mention Sofia in particular. Her attention to detail, demonstration of a variety of skills, one moment doing the ropes on the vessel, the next serving us tea, cake, and Proscecco in the afternoon(could get used to this but things are never the same when you try to re-create them at home). Her flair in creating the most wonderful table decorations. We could go on. We loved it. Thank you so very much. Cindy Hudson & Andrew Perry
Cindy Hudson: 23 September 2023Loch Linnhe, the Caledonian Canal & Loch Ness