News

Annette and Angus Vine kindly sent us their diary for their "Around Mull Wildlife Explorer£ 6-night cruise departing September 5th on the Glen Tarsan: Our fondness for the Islands, fuelled by the adventure of an unscheduled itinerary, and the unexpected, brought us to Oban again on 5th September.  After a short pub lunch, we were collected by Scott, our captain, and Ray, the engineer, and taken by tender on a calm and warm afternoon to board our home for the next six days.  Our fellow travellers were a mixed “bunch” which gave the party an international feel : two from Chicago, two from Utah, an… Read More

Ann Cheetham, who booked a charter for July 2015 has got in touch to let us know what it meant to the group of friends:   “When I booked this cruise in March 2014 for a group of Septuagenarians to celebrate 50 years of friendship, some of us having been on a Morocco expedition together in 1965, I had no idea what I was letting us in for. But now that it is all sadly over, I can only say that the cruise surpassed all our expectations. I found you by googling into my computer "cruises in the western isles of Scotland". When I saw the possibility of chartering a six cabin boat with staff to look after us,… Read More

Vegetarians are well catered for our our cruises!  Here is a sample menu for a 6-night cruise. Saturday Dinner Canapé: pickled walnut and watercress with blood orange dressing; tomato consomméMain Course: lightly spiced couscous in tomato broth with salt baked celeriac Dessert: cranachan Sunday Breakfast: eggs florentineLunch: butternut squash, spinach, parmesan, Conchiglioni  Rigate pasta, sage butter&  pak choy asian saladAfternoon tea: banana… Read More

Our new custom-built vessel, The Glen Etive, is designed to provide luxury accommodation for longer trips to the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Fitted with stabilizers for a smooth passage, she will visit the more remote outlying islands, steeped in legend and inhabited by many species of rare wildlife. The interior of the Glen Etive is tastefully fitted out with brass and hardwood finishes and many charming maritime features.  The spacious indoor saloons are specially designed to provide comfortable viewing areas for taking in the breathtaking scenery while at sea and at anchor.  Cabins are traditionally designed… Read More

Idyllic Iona Although only a tiny island, Iona has a big history and is known as the birthplace of Christianity in the UK.  Its historic abbey was established by St Columba in 563, and year round the island welcomes visitors on pilgrimages.  However with its white sand beaches, azure seas and picturesque village – and the definite feel that time has stood still – it is one of the popular stopovers on our two ‘Around Mull’ cruises. These cruises also feature visits to Mull itself including its many sea-lochs, and surrounding islands such as Ulva and Staffa.  Iona is a popular destination for our guests who… Read More

Ingredients Mushroom Duxelle 25g/1oz butter 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 shallots, finely diced 8 chestnut mushrooms, chopped 2 tbsp… Read More

Ingredients Salmon One side of Watts salmon, scaled and pin boned  180g Caster sugar  180g Fine sea salt 120ml Oban 14YO Single Malt Zest of one lemon and one orange Beetroot Four beetroot, cooked and diced 20ml Oban 14YO Single Malt  2 tsp of Dijon mustard  2 tsp of Fresh chopped dill Horseradish crème fraiche Pinch of salt Freshly grated horseradish Juice and zest of one lemon Method Salmon Measure out a… Read More

Day 1 After a winter of hard work, the Glen Massan was looking bright, shiny and ready for the new season.  The crew welcomed our passengers aboard in a cool breeze to the sound of The Majestic Line’s piper, Craig Wilson, who played us away from the quay wearing his full piping regalia.  We embarked on a short evening cruise down the Clyde, passing Dunoon, then turning westward at Toward Point.  This route took us on to The Kyles of Bute, before dropping anchor in Loch Riddon for the night. Day 2 In the morning we woke to a misty loch and took our passengers on a short… Read More

These three fascinating islands form part of an exhilarating journey from the Inner to the Outer Hebrides.  Visit these islands on our Idyllic Isles of the Outer Hebridesand St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides 10 night cruises. The island of Coll in the Inner Hebrides lies 4 miles north west of the island of Mull with the tiny island of Gunna between the two.  Gunna Sound is good place to look for basking sharks and other cetaceans.  The Island is 13 miles… Read More

The island group of Islay and Jura in the Southern Hebrides is one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the UK.  These are two fascinating islands with a complex geology and a wide range of plant and animal species. The intertidal areas and stunning shorelines, with a backdrop of dramatic mountain ranges provides magnificent scenery while supporting internationally significant populations of bird species  and animals such as otter, seals and red deer.  The islands enjoy the gentle pace of life typical of the Hebrides. Two of our cruise itineraries have the option of calling in at Islay and… Read More