Scottish small ship cruise specialist, The Majestic Line, has commissioned a new purpose built boat for the 2016 season adding new and more distant itineraries. 

The MV Glen Etive will complement the two existing refurbished traditional fishing boats, which offer unique cruises around Scotland’s west coasts and islands.  The new vessel is currently being built by Ardmaleish Boatbuilding Co. Ltd on the Clyde, with funding assistance from Highland and Islands Enterprise. 

Finished in traditional wood and brass, with spacious accommodation and a steel based hull, the new boat will undertake longer cruises and visit new Outer Hebridean destinations, with trips planned as far afield as St Kilda.

Small ship cruising with The Majestic Line blends the adventure of discovering some of the most inaccessible and beautiful areas of Scotland’s idyllic western isles, with the intimacy of a house party.  The concept has proved increasingly popular with visitors from the UK to Australia, with cruises booking well in advance and a high level of repeat business. When the MV Glen Etive launches in April 2016 it will add valuable additional capacity to meet demand. 

All three vessels are fitted out to a high standard and the on board cuisine, using locally sourced produce, is presented as an informal fine dining experience.  Offering three, six, and ten night cruises, as well as private whole boat charters, The Majestic Line takes passengers to the heart of Scotland’s remote islands. Existing boats can accommodate eleven passengers in en-suite cabins and the MV Glen Etive will add an additional berth, with all three offering two cabins for single occupancy at no additional supplement.

Andy Thoms, managing director of The Majestic Line, comments:  “The Majestic Line cruises take guests on a personal tour of Scotland’s loveliest hideaway places.  The locally built MV Glen Etive, with the look and feel of a 1930’s ‘gentleman’s motor yacht’, will bring an additional choice of longer destinations to far flung places such as the St Kilda world heritage site.  It is the comfort of our ships, the level of service and the opportunity to travel in style that brings guests back time and again to experience such unique and special adventures.” 

David Smart, senior development manager with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said:  “The Majestic Line has demonstrated an ability to create and develop a unique tourism offering for the west coast of Scotland. Sustainable tourism and the marine environment are both valued by HIE and we are delighted to invest in this new vessel which will lead to increased economic benefits for rural islands and mainland communities.”

Cruise itineraries range from the Small Isles and Skye, visiting Eigg, Rum and Canna, to St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides, taking in the Shiant Islands and the Isles of North and South Uist.  A number of special interest cruises are also available, including a Wildlife Explorer Cruise which offers the chance to explore the Isle of Mull.