21 June 2025
I have to give the weather a dishonourable mention - it tried its best to disrupt our cruise, but as always, the crew onboard the Emma Jane just got on with their tasks and gave us all a memorable cruise ! I think they secretly like the challenges presented !! Some of the unexpected diversions and anchorages were a real treat, bringing the crew and guests together into a big happy group of people, strangers to start with perhaps, but everyone of them were good friends by the end. A great cruise !! I must give the crew their own name checks : Jake - a new member of the Hebrides Cruises family, but already a star, introducing little ‘extras’ when we were in the rib, he obviously put a lot of thought into providing us with the best ! Lynsey - a fabulous wildlife guide, and a fabulous friend if I may claim that honour. Charlie - superb chef, what wonderful meals we were served with, beans on toast at home just doesn’t cut it anymore ???? Jasmin - nothing was ever too much trouble, everything was always in the right place, spotless, and those table designs, amazing ! Perhaps even of more importance than all the obvious skill sets possessed, was the sense of fun, positivity and friendship shown. Marks out of ten for the crew and the cruise ?? Why, 11 of course !! A great big thankyou from me for a great time.
Steve Lloyd
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: 8 June 2019Private Charter 10 Nights