Cruise Argyll and the Hebrides There is no better way to explore Argyll and the Hebrides than a Majestic Line cruise; soak in the scenery, wildlife, history and culture, while enjoying exceptional food onboard and fascinating trips onshore. Our two minicruise ships take you off the beaten track to experience the true beauty and wildness of Argyll and the Hebrides. The Glen Tarsan and The Glen Massan are traditional wooden fishing vessels which have been lovingly converted to provide charming and spacious cruising accommodation with every comfort on offer. We know the most idyllic, secret anchorages, many of which are only accessible by our smaller vessels. There is no other Scottish cruise which allows such freedom and flexibility. Knowles, USA, April 2014 01 Bragg and Saunders, England, May 2014 A personal cruising experience The coastline of Argyll and the Hebrides is one of the most unspoiled and beautiful natural environments in the world, creating breathtaking scenery and a haven for wildlife. Choose from a selection of 6-night, 3-night or 13-night itineraries. Our cruises are a very personal experience, with our four crew of Skipper, Engineer, Chef and Bosun providing excellent local knowledge while ensuring that every aspect of your time on board is perfect. Each day brings a new slice of Scottish nature and history to investigate and the Skipper will discuss the options of stopovers and destinations with guests. Meanwhile the Chef provides gourmet meals tailored to the specific requirements and tastes of guests. 03 Jones, England, April 2014 Natural environment, natural larder The pristine waters of Argyll and the Hebrides provide some of the best seafood in the world. Fresh mussels, langoustines, lobster and a variety of fish come from the local sea lochs to be served on board. From the hills of Argyll we source wild venison, beef, pork and lamb. Local food specialists create wonderful delicatessen delights including the smoked meats, fish and shellfish for which Argyll is famous, as well as a host of cheeses, preserves and bakery products. The seasons determine the menus and there is always a selection of the best fresh ingredients available to provide delicious meals, including for vegetarians and special diets. Our vessels frequently stop off en route to add to the supplies onboard, often going direct to the local producer. Each meal is served at a different idyllic anchorage with the backdrop of the stunningly beautiful Hebridean coastline providing an unforgettable setting. 05 id Ou ter He br es Portree Inverness SKYE Loch Ness nal Kyle of Lochalsh ian Ca Loch Scavaig Ca led on Loch Hourn CANNA RUM Mallaig EIGG MUCK Fort William Ardnamurchan TRESHNISH STAFFA MULL Sou nd of Mu ll e nh Lin LISMORE Duart Bay Oban Lo rn Loch Spelve Glencoe ch Loch Sunart Tobermory of IONA th Melfort Fir TIREE Calgary Bay Lo COLL Crinan COLONSAY JURA Dunoon Loch Sween ISLAY GIGHA BUTE ARRAN Mull of Kintyre Our Cruises Sailing out of Oban provides access to a range of dramatic and scenic cruising options to rugged and remote coastlines from April - October. We also have two exciting one-way 6-night cruises, departing from Dunoon and Inverness, that provide a choice of everything Scotland has to offer. 6-night cruises from Oban •Around Mull: Inlets and Islands •Castles and Clans of Mull and Glencoe •Heritage and Wildlife of the Southern Hebrides •Skye and the Inner Hebrides •Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal one-way from Oban (October dates only) 6-night cruise from Dunoon •Mull of Kintyre and the Inner Hebrides one-way to Oban (April 4th) 6-night cruise from Inverness • Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal one-way to Oban (October dates only) 3-night cruise from Oban • Inlets of Mull and Loch Linnhe 13-night cruise from Oban • Outer Hebrides Explorer Please note that our 13-night cruise is booked out for 2015 but is available in 2016. Please visit our website for details. All our cruises are on offer as private charters when no bookings have been taken. 07 Awford, England, April 2014 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Around Mull: Inlets and Islands 6-night cruise with dates from April to October The Island of Mull has many different and captivating aspects to explore. The lovely inlets of Loch Spelve and Duart Bay, dominated by its Castle, and the colourful town of Tobermory are easily reached. A cruise around the top of Mull takes you to the wonderful sands of Calgary Bay and onwards to the Treshnish Isles, Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, the small islands of Gometra and Ulva and the magical Island of Iona. The whole area is a paradise for wildlife with a remarkable range of species seen, changing with the months of the season. Typical Stopovers and Anchorages: •Duart Bay with the dramatic backdrop of Duart Castle, keeping an eye out for dolphins and otters • A visit to Duart Castle, the home of the Clan MacLean •Colourful Tobermory with its historic buildings, speciality shops and woodland walks •Calgary Bay to enjoy a walk on the sands and the floral machair. A good spot for dolphins • The Treshnish Isles and other exquisite small islands to get close to rare birdlife • Fingal’s Cave on Staffa for an unforgettable view of the rock formations •The magical Island of Iona and its ancient Abbey where the elusive corncrake can be heard •Loch Spelve with more resident otters and where the Chef will visit the mussel farm to buy mussels for dinner 09 Dunphy, Australia, April 2014 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Castles and Clans of Mull and Glencoe 6-night cruise with dates in October Departing from Oban, this cruise explores the history of the Castles and Clans in the Sound of Mull, the magnificent sea lochs of Loch Sunart and Loch Linnhe leading to Glencoe. The sheltered waters are often mirror calm and bright, with the reflections of the hills and mountain ranges providing breathtaking scenery. The cruise will provide a unique glimpse of Scottish Clan History. Food and drink is an important aspect of the onboard experience, with meals based on the wonderful produce available from hill, glen and sea. Typical Stopovers and Anchorages: • Anchor in Duart Bay on Mull with an opportunity to go ashore to have a tour of the imposing Duart Castle, the seat of Clan Maclean • Visit the pretty town of Tobermory for history, shopping and woodland walks. Visit the Museum and Tobermory Distillery and find out why Mull is home to the descendants of the ancient clans of Macleans, MacLaines, MacKinnons, Macquarries and MacDonalds • Head down the Sound of Mull to Appin and a visit to the quintessential Castle Stalker on its Island setting , with a tour of the history of Stewart ownership and links to the Campbells and Maclarens. Enjoy a very picturesque anchorage at Shuna Island with a wonderful view of the Castle • Stop over at the Island of Lismore, situated at the mouth of Loch Linnhe which has many historical features. Lismore Island is the seat of the Clan MacLea, the ancient historical name of the Livingstones and where the Chief of Clan MacLea still lives • Cruise Loch Leven with fabulous views of Glencoe. With the massive Ben Nevis always in sight, the boat reaches Glencoe, scene of the famous massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells with an onshore trip to the Glencoe visitor centre. Go ashore to soak in the brooding atmosphere and stunning scenery 11 Hamilton, England, April 2014 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Heritage and Wildlife of the Southern Hebrides 6-night cruise with dates from May to September Dropping in at the Island of Mull for the first nights anchorage, your vessel then heads south down the Firth of Lorn to the small islands of Seil, Luing and Scarba known as the “Slate Isles” where there is a choice of idyllic anchorages. The cruise continues south to explore the highly indented coastline of the mainland to Loch Crinan and Loch Sween with the option of shore trips. The Islands of Colonsay, Gigha, Islay and Jura are also within reach – the actual choice of Island stopovers will be decided by the Skipper depending on local weather conditions and the wishes of the guests on board. Typical Stopovers and Anchorages: •Loch Spelve on the Island of Mull with a chance of spotting otters, sea eagles and other wildlife •The Islands of Seil, Luing and Scarba with the opportunity to anchor off and go ashore to explore • Loch Melfort for an evening stroll •The Island of Colonsay with its fabulous beaches and ancient history and a visit to the gardens of Colonsay House •Loch Crinan, and the charming village of Crinan at the head of the Crinan Canal with the option for a land trip to historic Kilmartin “the birthplace of Scotland” •Loch Sween and a trip ashore at Tayvallich to see the ancient oak forest or take a visit to ruined Castle Sween or a badger set •Pass the famous Gulf of Corryvreckan that lies between Scarba and Jura •Depending on weather conditions the cruise may explore south to Gigha, Islay and Jura 13 Scott, Scotland, April 2014 14 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Around Mull: Wildlife Explorer 6-night cruise with dates from April to September Wildlife is commonly seen on our Mull cruises and this cruise is for those keen to see as much wildlife as possible, introducing a day trip on land to extend the range of species seen. Anchorages have been chosen for their beauty, tranquility, natural environment and wildlife. The wildlife seen will change with the seasons; a major highlight on the April, May and June cruises is the nesting puffins and many other seabirds on the Treshnish Isles while September provides a good chance of spotting basking sharks and the white-tailed and golden eagles as the young leave the nest. Porpoises, dolphins, otters and a wide range of rare birdlife are seen all season. The cruise includes the essential heritage of Mull with trips to Tobermory, Duart Castle and Iona. Typical Stopovers and Anchorages: • Anchor in Loch Spelve on Mull, well known for its otters with the opportunity to take a shore walk under a canopy of ancient oak forest and where white-tailed eagles are frequently seen on the hills • Cruise the Sound of Mull to Tobermory and go ashore for a woodland walk in Aros Park, home to a variety of woodland birds with some spectacular waterfalls. Visit the shag colony at the waterfall in the harbour • Take a full day land trip to discover the wealth of wildlife and nature on the Island • The Treshnish Isles are one of the most scenically evocative features of the Hebridean landscape. Go ashore on Lunga to get close to nesting puffins and other birds • An idyllic anchorage between the isles of Ulva and Gometra where seals, red deer and feral goats can be viewed from the boat. A walk is likely to provide a sighting of white-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons • Take a trip into Fingal’s Cave on Staffa in the boat tender for an unforgettable view of the rock formations; the isle is also a haven for wildlife • Visit the magical Island of Iona and its Abbey, and the chance to hear the elusive corncrake 15 Gosbee-Harper, England, April 2014 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Skye and the Inner Hebrides 6-night cruise with dates May to September Cruise the Sound of Mull to Tobermory and then onwards to the Point of Ardnamurchan. Pass the islands of Rum, Eigg and Muck to approach the Island of Skye from the Sound of Sleat with the dramatic outline of the Cuillin mountain range as a backdrop. The deeply indented coastline, topped with rugged mountain ranges, make Skye the most magical and beautiful place to visit from the sea. Pass Loch Hourn on the way to Kylerhea and then on to Loch Alsh, with a spectacular view of the Skye Bridge as you head for the bustling town of Broadford. Typical Stopovers and Anchorages: •Cruise the Sound of Mull to Tobermory for the first nights stopover • Remote and beautiful Sanna Bay on Ardnamurchan for a stroll along the most incredible stretch of pristine white sandy beach • The Clan Donald Centre on the Sleat Peninsula on Skye; enjoy a leisurely walk around beautiful Armadale Gardens • The Otter Haven at Kylerhea on Skye for spectacular views of the Kylerhea narrows and to see otters, seals, birds and other wildlife • Iconic Eilean Donan Castle, set spectacularly at the meeting point of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh • Broadford Town; discover the history of Drambuie and Bonnie Prince Charlie • Depending on weather conditions, Loch Hourn and Loch Nevis are within reach, as is remote Inverie in Loch Nevis, the largest community in the UK not connected to a road network 17 Lawton, England, September 2013 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal 6-night, one-way cruise departing from either Oban or Inverness, October only Cruise past the Island of Lismore to access the wonderful sea loch of Loch Linnhe, en route to Corpach, the entry point to the masterpiece of engineering, the Caledonian Canal. Experience the engineering wonder of Neptune’s Staircase as you travel from Corpach to Gairlochy and then on to Loch Ness. The surrounding area is filled with historic attractions and natural wonders; The Loch Ness Monster is just one of the many myths and legends to be discovered. Moor up each night for a delicious dinner to a different stunning backdrop of beautiful lochs with spectacular mountain ranges mirrored in the tranquil waters. Ben Nevis at sunset is a truly memorable sight. The canal and loch sides are perfect for walking with lots of wildlife to watch and fascinating communities to visit and explore. Typical Stopovers and Anchorages: •Loch Linnhe; cruise the calm waters and enjoy your first night at anchor • Neptune’s Staircase; experience the amazing wonder of engineering as you travel from Corpach to Gairlochy • Loch Lochy and Laggan Locks; some lovely shore-side walks • Laggan Locks to Loch Oich; a fantastic walk amongst towering trees • The Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre; drop in as you explore the delightful village of Fort Augustus • Urquhart Castle; anchor off this iconic castle steeped in a romantic and turbulent history • Drumnadrochit; explore a traditional Highland village on a fabulous hillside setting • Glencoe; view the fabulous vista and its beautiful waterfalls from a unique lochside vantage point 19 Sir Alex Ferguson, Private Charter, August 2013 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Inlets of Mull and Loch Linnhe 3-night cruise: departures from April to October This short cruise is perfect for a taste of the amazing landscape, scenery and wildlife of Argyll and the Hebrides. Explore the sounds and inlets of the north east coastline of Mull and the islands of the fabulous sea loch of Loch Linnhe. The coastline is dotted with dramatic castles and scenic sea lochs to explore within a setting of magnificent mountain ranges. The pristine waters are full of wildlife; dolphins, seals, otters, basking sharks and if you are very lucky, a Minke whale. Overhead you are very likely to spot golden and sea eagles, while on the water the ever present gannets dive, alongside shearwaters, guillemots, puffins, razorbills and other rarities. Typical Stopovers and Anchorages: • Cruise to Loch Spelve on Mull and buy mussels for dinner from the mussel farm. Rise early for otter spotting • Anchor in Duart Bay on Mull, a haunt of dolphins and otters, with the imposing backdrop of Duart Castle. Visit the castle for a fascinating insight to the clan MacLean • Anchor in pretty Loch Aline on the Morvern Peninsula and go ashore for a wooded lochside walk • Stop over at the Island of Lismore, situated at the mouth of Loch Linnhe which has many historical features • Enjoy a very picturesque anchorage at Shuna Island and Castle Stalker on the coastline off the charming village of Appin, with the opportunity to visit the nature reserve there 21 Polmar, USA, April 2014 22 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Mull of Kintyre and the Inner Hebrides A unique one-way 6-night cruise departing Holy Loch Saturday April 4th arriving Oban Friday April 10th 2015 Cruise from the South of Argyll and the magnificent Firth of Clyde around the dramatic Mull of Kintyre to the Islands of the Hebrides. Cruise a coastline of magic and mystery dotted with thousands of inlets and small islands. The proximity of mountain to coast provides a landscape which is breathtakingly beautiful and which can only be truly appreciated from the sea. Each Island has its own totally unique character, making a fascinating voyage. Visit some of the most remote and picturesque parts of Argyll while enjoying fabulous hospitality on board. Typical Stopovers and Anchorages: • Cruise the pretty coastline of the Firth of Clyde to the first overnight stop, anchoring in the sheltered waters of the stunningly beautiful Kyles of Bute, a haven for marine wildlife • Set off the following day to the Mull of Kintyre. Depending on wind direction and tide, there is a choice of stopovers in Arran or Campbeltown to visit distilleries, castles or take a shore walk • The cruise around the Mull of Kintyre is bracing and dramatic with fantastic coastal scenery. Stopover at the delightful small Hebridean Island of Gigha, known as “Gods Island”. Its beautiful bays and sandy beaches, clear green seas, amazing views, lochs, hillsides and gardens can be explored by foot or cycle • Cruise the Sound of Jura and call in at the Jura Distillery or go for a shore walk to spot some of the 5,000 deer on the Island • Take a trip the length of beautiful Loch Sween, passing an osprey nest and the opportunity for a trip ashore at Tayvallich to walk through the ancient oak forest • Call in at picturesque Crinan with its lovely harbour full of traditional boats • Pass the famous Corryvreckan whirlpool and take an idyllic anchorage off the small isles of Scarba and Luing • Cruise the Sound of Mull and then on to the sheltered Sound of Kerrera with spectacular scenery on either side with Oban as the final destination 23 Reeve, England, July 2013 24 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY The Outer Hebrides Explorer This 13-night cruise is fully booked for 2015 but possible via a private cruise charter and available for 2016 Explore the farthest reaches of the Hebrides, including St Kilda, weather permitting, in this one-off extended cruise which takes in at least fourteen Hebridean Islands, each one with its own unique character. One of the delights of this cruise is its flexibility; the actual itinerary will depend on local weather and tide conditions to get the best out of the scenery and wildlife. This cruise is a true adventure which will explore the very edge of the Scottish Western Isles. An example itinerary: The Isle of Canna: Depart Oban at 2pm for a serene and scenic anchorage in Canna in the evening for your first night aboard. Canna is renowned for its seabirds, including sea and golden eagles, puffins and is a nesting site for Manx shearwaters. The Isle of Barra: Depart Canna with a view of the sea cliffs with tiers of basalt pillars on the North Shore for a leisurely cruise to Barra. Its main town of Castlebay was originally a 19th century fishing port, with Kisimul Castle, once the stronghold of Clan MacNeil providing a dramatic presence in the Bay. The Isles of Berneray, Mingulay, Pabbay & Sandray: These small islands with stretches of white sandy beaches have a wild beauty with fine coastal landscapes and internationally important seabird colonies. The cruise will then head north to Lochboisdale on South Uist. St Kilda: Weather permitting you will cruise to St Kilda, through the Sound of Harris, exploring sea stacks and overnight in Village Bay, Hirta. St Kilda/Hirta is extremely hilly, reaching over 1400 feet and has spectacular cliffs rising up 1000ft from the Atlantic. The islands are home to the largest gannetry in the world, with 60,000 pairs. Explore Hirta and its Viking burials and St Brendon and St Columba’s chapel remains while taking in the impressive views of the horseshoe bay. 25 Harrison, England, April 2014 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY The Outer Hebrides Explorer continued... The Isle of Harris: The cruise will then depart for Loch Rodel at the southern end of the Isle of Harris where you will anchor overnight. St Clement’s church overlooking the Loch dates back to 15th century and was built for Clan Macleod. The Isle of Lewis: The ferry port of Tarbert lies between the two ‘islands’ of North and South Harris. The mountains form a grand backdrop to the town, situated in a valley that slopes down to the port. Stornoway is the main town with a population of 6,000 people - about a third of the Islands total population. The Isle of Lewis has many fine examples of stone circles, standing stones, monoliths and Iron Age constructions. The most important series of stones is around the area of Callanish. The Shiant Islands: The Shiants are situated 11 miles east of the Scalpay Bridge and are often described as a mini St Kilda. They provide one of the most dramatic examples of basalt rock pillars in Britain which compare favourably with the rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and Fingal’s Cave on Staffa. The grassy slopes of the Shiants play host to a huge colony of puffins, razorbills, fulmars, shags, kittiwakes and great skuas. The Isle of Skye: Arrive at Dunvegan on the east side of the Isle of Skye where you will explore the Castle and Gardens and anchor overnight. Built on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Loch Dunvegan once entirely encircled by the sea, Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years. Depart for a cruise down the west coast of Skye to Loch Scavaig where you will anchor overnight. Loch Scavaig is deep inside the Cuillins of Skye which tower over the anchorage and is one of the most dramatic anchorages in Europe. The Isle of Rum: Rum is one of Scotland’s finest National Nature Reserves. It is of international importance for many of its plants, habitats and birds. You may see deer, otters, seals, goats and eagles. Over 100,000 Manx shearwaters nest in the hills. The Rum Cuillin Mountains are the remains of a huge, ancient volcano and attract geologists from all over the world. The Isle of Mull: Arriving at Tobermory for a visit and either anchor overnight or cruise down the Sound of Mull to Loch Aline, a delightful small sea loch on the coast of Morvern. 27 Emma Thompson, July 2012 28 C R U I S E I T I N E R A RY Private Cruise Charter Any of our cruises with no bookings is available for private charter This is the ultimate choice to celebrate that very special occasion, enjoying the freedom to do exactly as you please with your favourite group of family or friends. Book one vessel for a group of up to 11 guests or both vessels for a group of up to 22 guests. Private Cruise Charter is very popular with people from all walks of life with the opportunity to plan a personalised itinerary and activities with our full onboard service. Family groups with a special celebration, friends on a fun reunion and people looking for complete seclusion all have a one-off lifetime experience never to be forgotten. Our service is custom designed and every request is granted if it is within our ability to do so. Depending on availability, we can offer a private charter for 3-nights, 6-nights and 13-nights. Chartering the whole boat needs to be booked early to ensure availability so don’t delay in securing your special date for 2014 and beyond. 29 Travel We make it as easy as possible for you to visit one of the most beautiful and remote areas of the Scottish Highlands. Our vessels sail mainly from Oban in Nor th Argyll, with one cruise depar ting from Dunoon and one from Inverness. We recommend the scenic journey by train. BOARDING AND DISEMBARKING Our 6-night cruises board on a Saturday at 4pm and disembark the following Friday at approximately 11am. Our 3-night cruises board on a Saturday or a Tuesday at 4pm and disembark the following Tuesday or Friday at approximately 11am. We make provision in a local restaurant for guests to meet prior to boarding. Luggage is collected from the meeting point at 3.30pm and guests board at 4pm. GETTING TO YOUR VESSEL Several weeks before their cruise, guests receive detailed joining instructions to ensure their arrival is as smooth as possible. We are happy to help with local travel information, so please do get in touch for more detailed advice. THE GLEN MASSAN AND GLEN TARSAN: OBAN BAY, OBAN By train: If arriving by train or plane to Glasgow, there is an excellent (and scenic) train route from Glasgow to Oban departing in the morning and at lunchtime, arriving in Oban approximately 3 hours later. By air: If flying to Glasgow Airport, pick-up can be arranged by local taxi firms from Glasgow International Airport at 12 noon for transfer to Oban Bay by taxi. There is a cost for the transfer, which takes around 2.5 hours each way. By bus: There are regular buses from Buchanan Street Bus Station arriving in Oban approximately 3 hours later. By car: Coming from the south, Oban is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from Glasgow Airport. Cars may be left in secure paid parking in Oban. Please contact us for details on our Dunoon departure in April and our Inverness departures in October. 30 Prices and Booking PRICES The cruise price includes all meals and house wine with dinner; snacks and soft drinks are freely available all day. The only items not included are drinks from the bar and entry to attractions. CRUISE PRICES: 3-night cruise: 6-night cruise: 13-night cruise: Private cruise charter 3-night: Whole boat charter 6-night: £1050.00 per person £1995.00 per person £4370.00 £10395.00 (up to 11 guests) £19780.00 (up to 11 guests) SINGLE AVAILABILITY: We reserve two cabins on each cruise for single traveller occupancy of a double cabin at no additional supplement. We recommend that if you wish to take advantage of this opportunity that you book as early as possible to ensure availability. HOW TO BOOK: Our cruise calendar operates from the beginning of April to the end of October. Please get in touch with us or visit our website to check availability. You can reserve your cruise by booking online or by phoning, emailing or writing to us; we are happy to keep your provisional booking for ten days while you make your travel arrangements. Our cruises are Travel Trust Association protected. Our Sales Manager is Marie McGhee who is always happy to talk through your requirements and answer any queries you might have. Contact Us The Majestic Line Unit 3, Holy Loch Marina, Sandbank, Dunoon, Argyll PA23 8FE Tel: +44 (0)1369 707951 Email: info@themajesticline.co.uk www.themajesticline.co.uk 32 Marie McGhee The Majestic Line (Scotland) Ltd Unit 3, Holy Loch Marina, Sandbank, Dunoon, Argyll PA23 8FE Tel: +44 (0)1369 707951 Email: info@themajesticline.co.uk www.themajesticline.co.uk