7. Sailing & Hiking on the Small Islands 2024
Scotland, paradise for walkers and sailors! Spend 10 days sailing and hiking the Small Isles in the Hebrides with our comfortable yacht Steady.
Besides sailors, we are also keen walkers. The hikes will be guided by us and there is also the opportunity for shorter walks on your own. The hiking routes on the Isles are well- known to us but sometimes it can happen that we have to adjust our itinerary, due to the weather forecast for instance. We would love to take you on an adventure to discover this with us! Keep in mind that during the walks (hikes), the nature trails are sometimes more difficult to walk on and you will be hiking in mountainous areas with ascents and descents.
- Island hopping
- Varying hikes from 10 to 20 km.
- Hiking on The Small Isles
- Wildlife and birds
TRAVEL SCHEDULE
Embarkation: Saturday 25.05.24 at 2 pm in Oban Disembarkation: Monday 03.06.24 at 10 am in Oban
DAY 1 – OBAN
Your sail & walk adventure starts in Oban. Steady is waiting for you at 2pm at the North Pier Pontoons. After acquainted and arranging the cabins, there will be an explanation of the goings-on on board and a safety briefing. It is important for yourself and the other sailors that you attend these instructions. We sail the same afternoon to a nice quiet anchor bay to enjoy a delicious evening meal and where we rais a glass to a great voyage!
DAY 2 – TOBERMORY, ISLE OF MULL
We start the voyage gently so everyone can get used to each other and the ship. We sail along the sheltered Sound of Mull to the colourful town of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. From Tobermory there are some lovely short hiking trails. There are also lovely pubs and shops to enjoy in the afternoon.
DAY 3 – SAILING TO THE ISLAND OF CANNA
Time for the good sail! We sail to Canna, the most remote island of the Small Isles. You cannot see Canna from the mainland because it is hidden behind the high mountains of Rum. Canna is an island of great beauty and variety, with green meadows and forests, wild heathlands and dramatic cliffs on the north and west sides. There are two fascinating churches, an ancient cross, an inaccessible ‘castle’ atop a large rock and Canna House – the former home of folklorist and Gaelic scholar John Lorne Campbell.
This is a great island to explore on foot. The walk along the coastline offers fantastic views of the Outer Hebrides, Rum and the Cuillin of Skye, and there are a few fine sandy beaches. The neighbouring island of Sanday is connected by a bridge and has some impressive cliffs, with two large rocky cliffs providing an ideal base for a colony of puffins.
DAY 4 – CANNA & PUFFINS
Our first long walk is on the island of Canna. A varied walk along cliffs and over hills highlighting the beautiful cliffs of Sanday where we will look for the puffins. With luck, we will also see the great skua here. We will have lunch in the middle of nature from our own packed lunchbox.
DAY 5 – SKYE, LOCH SCAVAIG & CORUSK
We take you to one of the Hebrides’ most beautiful anchorages. Nestled at the foot of Skye’s Cuillins lies Loch Scavaig. Surrounded by impressive pointed mountain peaks, you’ll see large numbers of grey and common seals at very close distance.
Loch Scavaig is connected to the inland lake Loch Corusk. Walking around Loch Corusk is breathtaking. The lake is fresh water so also great for taking a refreshing dip!
DAY 6 – RUM
We raise anchor and sail to the island of Rum. Rum is a national nature reserve and the largest island of the Small Isles. The island’s most famous residents are the golden eagles (reintroduced in the 1980s), red deer and the hardy Rum ponies.
We anchor here in the natural bay overlooking the architectural Kinloch Castle. After lunch, there is an opportunity to go ashore by dinghy. There are a number of beautiful hiking trails on Rum Island allowing you to fully enjoy the breathtaking mountain and coastal scenery.
DAY 6 – HIKING RUM
We make a joint hike in which we will head into the hills. The route will take us past streams and waterfalls and once at the top, enjoy the beautiful scenery. Good chance of spotting red deer and the golden eagle.
DAY 7 – EIGG AND CLIMBING AN SGURR
Eigg is the second largest and most populous island of the beautiful Small Isles. Eigg is dominated by a remarkable vertical blockstone of An Sgurr. The impressive peak was originally a lava flow from the volcano on Rum some 58 million years ago. The lava followed an ancient riverbed and filled the valley. Over the following millions of years, the pitchstone lava, which is harder than the surrounding basalt, withstood erosion and remained standing while the surrounding rock was gradually worn away. Now the kilometre-long ridge stands proudly, with the summit at 393 metres.
The climb to the top offers truly fantastic views of the other Small Isles and of Skye and Ardnamurchan. The route is fairly easy, but the last part is a steep climb and we have to rock climb (very easily) along the ridge.
DAY 8 – MUCK, A DROP IN THE OCEAN
Muck is the smallest island, measuring less than 4 km by 2 km. Muck is a beautiful island, from fertile fields to sandy beaches and a beautiful west coast, it has much to offer the walker. What you should definitely do is visit the tearoom for the delicious homemade pastries!
After the joint walk, we will sail to the beautifully secluded Loch Drumbuie in the afternoon were we overnight.
DAY 9 – KERRERA
In the morning we sail to green paradise Kerrera, followed by a pleasent hike on the island. Compared to all the hustle and bustle of the nearby tourist centre of Oban, Kerrera is very quiet, rural and offers stunning views of the surrounding coastal areas. Cars are banned on the island except for locals making it a walker’s paradise. In the evening, we enjoy the Captains dinner together.
DAY 10 – OBAN
After breakfast, we raise anchor and sail back to Oban in an hour. After an active 10 days enjoying the beautiful green and watery surroundings, we say goodbye to each other at 10 am.
NB: The above schedule depends on weather, wind and tide, if necessary we deviate from it.
NOTE:
- Age from 16 years
- You are in good health
- Sailing experience not require
- You like walking and hiking
- You enjoy going on active trips
- Perfect for solo travellers and couples
CATERING ON BOARD
All meals on board are included in the price, including accompanying drinks (tea, coffee, milk, orange juice, etc.) A glass of wine will be served with dinner. No alcohol is served during sailing for safety reasons. Other drinks are not included and will be charged at the end of the trip.
Our meals are healthy and varied but above all tasty! We can also accommodate dietary requirements such as gluten-free – lactose-free – veg – low-carb.
PRICE
€ 2125,- p.p. based on shared cabin
We charge 50% supplement for single use of a double cabin
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Crew: captain, mate/cook
- All meals are included in the price (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot drinks)
- All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet) and wash towel
- Marina and fuel fees
- All tender trips to and fro the boat
- Lifejacket
- Musto sailing waterproofs whilst on the boat
- Use of eco-friendly shower gel + hair shampoo
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Any flights
- Transit hotels
- Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
- Travel and/or cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses
For all questions or enquiries, click here
GUARANTEE SCHEME
This offer is covered under the guarantee of STO Garant. You can find the terms and conditions of this guarantee at STO garant’s website. https://sto-garant.nl/en/downloads
