Enchanted Islands
Few places in the world compare to Outer Hebrides and their offshore islands. The lure of these Hebridean jewels has inspired many travellers, writers, artists and photographers over the centuries to travel to these remote outposts and savour their beauty, charm and remoteness. Our sailing voyages take you to the best the Hebrides has to offer and close to millions of sea birds and remote settlements. These tours run during the months of May to September.
Mingulay, Monachs, St Kilda, Taransay, Shiants
Our enchanted islands voyage begins in Stornoway heading South towards Mingulay and its awesome sea cliffs and stacks rising to over 150m. On the way we will stop at the Shiants, one of the most important nesting sites in Europe for Puffins. The first night we stop in Leverburgh, continuing the following day to Loch Dunvegan Skye, The home of the MacLeod clan former owners of StKilda. Day 3 we will sail to Mingualy.
Mingulay is an important breeding place for razorbills of which Mingulay holds the largest colony in Scotland and also puffins, kittiwakes and guillemots. Following a day ashore we set sail past Barra and onwards to Castlebay on the beautiful island of Barra.
After breakfast we set sail from Castlebay and past Vatersay and out into the Atlantic towards the Monach Islands off the coast of North Uist. Our journey to the Monachs gives us stunning views of South Uist and its beaches as well as the highest hills of Hecla and Ben. Our first view of the Monach isles will be one of wonder as we see miles and miles of endless yellow, sandy beaches rising from the turquoise ocean.
The Monach isles are locally known by the endearing name of Heisgeir and consist of five low-lying islands surrounded by reefs and beautiful shell sand beaches that seem to shimmer in the sunlight. Since the Monach islands became a nature reserve in 1966 there has been great interest in its wildlife and grey seal population (the 2nd largest in the world) as well as one of the largest black guillemot populations in the UK.
Sailing out into the Atlantic on day 5 we head to Scotland's most remote island, St Kilda, and morning finds us anchored at this Dual World Heritage site, one of only 24 in the world. St Kilda holds Northern Europe's largest sea bird colony and a quarter of the world's population of northern gannets.
Arriving at St Kilda early afternoon we drop anchor in Village Bay. We land on this incredible island where the last of the St Kildans left on the 29th August 1930. This remarkable island guarded by awesome cliffs and sea stacks cannot fail to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
An lunch time departure takes us back into the Atlantic Ocean towards the Sound of Harris and Taransay. Taransay lies opposite the beautiful Isle of Harris and is one of the most stunning places to visit in the Hebrides. This island was made famous by Castaway 2000 and is a mixture of beach, machair, hill and cliff and one can become lost in the environment. To the north the highest hills of the Hebrides sweep to the sea as if trying to reach this mellow place.
The following morning we set sail back to Stornoway
Included in this tour
- All meals aboard Elinca
- All shore excursions
- Accommodation aboard Elinca
- All waterproof clothing and Lifejackets
- Packed lunches where required
- Snacks and teas and coffees
8 day voyage whole boat £7500