The Majestic Line is a small ship cruise line based on the west coast of Scotland. For two decades we’ve been weaving our love for the Scottish coast with our lifelong passion for the sea. We wanted to introduce people to the beautiful and remote landscapes of the West Coast by boat as Ken and Andy, the owners, had done for years. Our journey started by rescuing two Irish fishing vessels from the brink of decommission, giving birth to Glen Massan and Glen Tarsan, our beloved converted fishing vessels.
With sustainability always in mind, we’ve reused and recycled materials in crafting our ships. Glen Massan and Glen Tarsan kickstarted our Green Journey, maintaining their original wooden hulls and each boasting its unique character. When looking into a third ship, we found no more decommissioned vessels available. This initial challenge allowed us the opportunity to build a faster vessel, with stabilisers to reach the very farthest reaches of the Outer Hebrides. Local boat builders from the Island of Bute, played a crucial role in bringing our two steel-hulled ships, Glen Etive and Glen Shiel, to life. Even our newest vessel, Glen Rosa, was converted by a Mallaig Boatyard.
Our commitment to sustainability extends to every detail. During conversions, we sourced refurbished or recycled materials. Seasonal maintenance sees us continuing this trend. We introduced LED lights in all boats and brought in dual flush loos to help reduce water wastage. We have produced our water aboard by desalination from seawater since the very first conversion in 2004 and ask guests to be mindful when using water.
Being a small company from Dunoon, with just 11 passengers on our first two ships, we’ve stuck to our roots. Local suppliers like Churchill Venison, Argyll Smokery, and Argyll Vintners have been with us since day one. Over the years as our fleet grew and we ventured to new cruising areas, we have formed strong bonds with sustainable companies from the isles and use a local wholesaler to minimize our carbon footprint.
Our small ships, with three outdoor decks and inviting dining and bar saloons, offer a cozy vantage point to soak in Scotland’s scenery. We take you to hidden gems inaccessible to larger vessels, ensuring minimal impact on local communities. Our vessels are a gateway to Scotland’s coast, showcasing starry nights, incredible sunsets, towering mountains, historical sites, and charming island communities. When going ashore at our anchorages our crew use our small tender landing crafts minimising disturbance of a bay and ask guests to respect the islands by following paths.
We have always loved the west coast of Scotland, seas and coast so we carry this view across all our operations. We train our crew extensively in marine and hospitality practices, making them responsible wildlife watchers through the WiSe scheme.
The Responsible Visitor Charter and personalised onboard journals guide our guests to follow our lead, promoting public transport and supporting local businesses. In our effort to nurture young minds, we’ve introduced activity packs for children on private charters, educating them about local wildlife.
We’re proud recipients of the Gold award in Green Tourism, following on from our initial Bronze award, and is a testament to our dedication. Marie McGhee, our Green Tourism Advocate, ensures we’re always evolving on our green journey.
Our mission is to share the beauty of Scotland while preserving its natural wonders. We’re constantly innovating, with dreams of developing an even greener boat. 2024 is an exciting year for us as we turn 20 and have an almost fully booked season ahead across all five of our small ships.
Join us on our green journey here –