Explore part of the Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Mull and perhaps as far north as the Isle of Skye.
Take as much a part in Sailing & Navigating the yacht as you like.
No previous sailing experience required.
You can slide a Google Map about with your mouse and change the zoom!
Which Yacht?
Not sure until we pay a deposit!
On the left here: an Elan 434 "Countess of Sleat" from Isle of Skye Yachts.
On the right "Clova" a ketch from Argyll Yacht Charter.
Why the West Coast?
Beautiful! One of my favourite cruising areas, I never tire of it. Wildlife in abundance. Remote, certainly not as busy as the south coast of England! Sometimes an anchorage may be busy but this is not a common occurrence. Fine eating both on board and ashore.
But what about the weather?
You do have to take a chance on the weather. August 2008: in seven days, it drizzled on the first and last day of the week and we had sun and fair winds for all the middle part of the week. At this time, people were bailing water out of their houses in the Severn Valley below Worcester.
I've had weeks in Scotland and worn shorts and I've had other weeks and worn my waterproofs every day. They say you get all four seasons in a day there and sometimes that's true. Scotch Mist can occasionally make you very wet! I think if you decide the weather is not going to spoil your holiday in Scotland, then it does not.
How do we get to the yacht at the Marina?
There are options here. EM Sailing will try to co-ordinate travel so you may share costs with others on the same holiday. This usually works fine. So, you may drive or be in a car going up (assuming you are starting out from England). The journey is a long one and while it can be done in a day, experience has shown that to travel up and be ready to start out on the yacht, all on the same day can be too much. Handover of the yacht to us is likely to occur in the early afternoon of the start day.
In 2009 we set off on the Friday and had booked B & B in Glasgow to break the journey.
You can fly to Glasgow. This is usually fairly inexpensive (unless you are measuring your carbon footprint!) and there are various possibilities between the airport and the Marina. There is a bus service from Glasgow to Oban on the West Coast. This service may pass the Marina we will be using. This bus leaves from a central Glasgow bus station and there are just six buses a day. You have to get an Airport-Bus station shuttle bus, about every 20mins from the airport.
You may decide to let the train take the strain and whilst I would think this is the most pleasurable method, the cost may be too much for you.
On most days we would expect to be sailing for about 6 hours or so. We try to adjust the itinerary to suit those on board. In one or two places in Scotland you might have to set off to suit the tide time, perhaps an early start, but not often.
Usually during a week we will do our best to give you the chance for a walk ashore, perhaps on a remote island or up the main street of Tobermory. There will be chances to do some exploration, perhaps try to catch fresh mackerel for your lunch. We will stop and drift if we find whales, dolphins or basking sharks, as you will want to take some snaps. The wild birds can also be fascinating to watch. Something Scotch? We can find you a Malt distillery that will welcome you for a tour.
Generally we will always try to find you a mix of remote, deserted lochs and wee towns with all mod cons. We know some excellent shore side places for eating out. We expect to provide most of your main meals on-board, and you are most welcome if you want to be involved in preparing food or cooking a meal.
Have other people enjoyed this holiday with us?
I guess over the years we have introduced more than thirty people to the delights of cruising this area.
In 2005 Jim said, "The grand-children will never believe I have been to Balamory!
Henry and Liz wrote afterwards and said "....a wonderful holiday and a great introduction to sailing in Western Scotland." I introduced Henry and Liz to a "rusty-nail" and I think they are still enjoying them.
Tom (above) joined us in 2007 and again in 2009.
The 2008 holiday produced lots of input for our "feedback" webpage:
Our 2009 holiday started from the Isle of Skye and included visiting The Small Isles.
On our holidays in Scotland, wildlife seen has included: porpoise, whale, basking shark, gannet and lots of other diving bird species.
The 2010 rough Itinerary.
Starting from a Marina near Oban:
Saturday July 31st: You will need to get to the charter base near Oban and be there before 4 p.m. You may get there in time for lunch at the local.
When we have our gear and provisions stowed, and if we want to, we may slip out of the marina away to an out of the way anchorage.
Sunday August 1st to Friday 6th: Sailing each day as the weather allows, and alternating between harbours with shore facilities such as colourful Tobermory and quiet out of the way anchorages along this dramatic coast.
A mixture of catering for ourselves, and enjoying the local cuisine. You are liable to experience any of the following, Haggis, fishing for Mackerel, enjoying local crab, a rusty nail, a single malt, a pint of seventy shilling, a Cullen Skink, walking in the heather.
Saturday August 7th: Return the yacht to the starting base.
Included in the price: Yacht Charter, Skipper, breakfasts, lunches, Tea/Coffee, soft drinks, five main evening meals planned to be taken aboard.
Not included: Travel to the starting Marina in Scotland. Hire of Foul Weather gear, a share of the security /damage deposit, diesel fuel for the yacht, Marina or mooring fees, Alcoholic drinks, Showers ashore, two main evening meals planned to be taken ashore.
Marina fees & Fuel will be shared equally between the crew. It should be assumed that any other "not included" costs are each individual responsibility.
No Sailing qualification required or previous experience. Do as much or as little as you like.
What is it going to cost?
Our berth price for 2010 is £469. This includes all of your meals on board. To this you would have to add the cost of getting to Scotland. Diesel fuel for the yacht (though we will use the sails as much as we can), Marina or mooring fees (often free), Alcoholic drinks, showers and any meals ashore.
Like to go? We need your commitment and a deposit for this holiday now! Fill out our Booking Form and drop it in the post. You can pay us by Internet Bank transfer or Cheque. In either case, in the event that we do not get four people to book for this holiday, we will return your deposit in full.
You may be asked to share a cabin.
Ask for a discount if you are booking two persons to share a cabin. To secure your berth you must pay us a deposit or, if the departure date is near: the full-balance; and complete the berth application form.
