8 June 2019
Our trip to the Outer Hebrides was exceptional in every way; the talented staff; the comfortable accommodations; the little details (a refreshing glass of Prosecco on the return of each day's trip); the always-full cookie jar; the welcoming and beautifully decorated table spread with good food; the post-dinner discussions and chart-reading with Captain James and our naturalist, Will; the frolicking Bottlenose dolphins "bow riding" upside down next to the "Emma Jane"; the seals lazily lounging on the rocky ledges; the Minke whales; the diving gannets, nesting puffins, and Great Skua (nicknamed "Bonzies" by the Scots.....Will photographed one Bonxie trying to grab a mackerel away from a shearwater); the while fulmars flitting in and out the rocky crevices; and our wonderful trip companions. It was a trip to treasure and relive many times in future years! Every new adventure offered the chance to read and to learn about the many marine birds, the "beasties" (ocean mammals), and the fascinating stories and history of the Outer Hebrides. All experiences were unique; hiking in the Isle of Eigg to the "Massacre Cave"; viewing habitats of nesting puffins, guillemots, shags, fulmars on the cliffs of the "Shiants" and St. Kilda's; seeing the aquaculture salmon rafts stretched in a row off the coast of Skye; steaming across the water to the archipelago of St. Kilda's and experiencing the view of Hirta, St. Kilda's main island, mysteriously rising out of the fog as we approached the island All were memorable experiences. And we were lucky! The weather was perfect for our trip....some light drizzle off and on, some wind but no strong "houlies" (very strong winds)! This is a trip of a lifetime. We recommend it with enthusiasm and with joyful memories! Sally and Alan Gayer June 2019 Private Cruise to the Outer Hebrides and St. Kilda's
Sally and Alan Gayer
The week on board the Emma Jane definitely fulfilled evereything we asked for when we booked this cruise! Our main wishes were to search for wildlife, and have unique whiskey experiences. We had a spectacular week with sunny skies and calm seas, and were really lucky to spot the first minke whales of the season! Lunga and its amazing puffin colony were definitely a highlight for us, as this was our first encounter with these beautiful sea parrots. Our crew went out of their way to make sure we got to see as many species of wildlife as possilbe both on sea and during land excursions, and we had amazing experiences visiting Rum, Eigg, Cana and Mull - with dolphins, seals, eagles, a million different types of birds, ducks and geese, and even red deer and the gorgeous Rum ponies. Thanks to the special efforts of our crew, we had a very unique cask-whiskey tasting experience at Tobermory, which we truly cherish. This was our first trip to Scotland, and it proved to be both a wonderful family experience and a great holiday retreat. We would love to be back and explore further!
Tal Shulman: 20 April 2024Private Charter 6 Nights