Hebridean Times HEB TIMES Issue 32.Qxp Layout 1 14/08/2019 15:47 Page 2

HEB TIMES Issue 32.qxp_Layout 1 14/08/2019 15:47 Page 1

Hebridean Times HEB TIMES Issue 32.qxp_Layout 1 14/08/2019 15:47 Page 2

The heBRIDeAN TIMeS

Contents

View from the Bridge 4-5 Captain david Kirkwood

News in Brief 6

Crew News 7

Inlets and Islands 8-9 of Argyll

2020 European River 10-11 Cruise Collection

Budapest Flavours of the 12 Low Countries

Recipe 13 Leek Flamiche

Sea-Changers 14 8-9 15 Meet the Team 15 Ardkinglas House Egon Emr egon emr, Food and beverage supervisor

Competition 16

Cover image: benmore botanic Garden

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AUTUMN 2019

Welcome to the Autumn 2019 edition of The hebridean Times

after a sojourn of five weeks Hebridean Princess has recently returned to her familiar waters of scotland’s west coast and her home port of Oban. Our out-of-area cruises this summer saw her based in the port of invergordon on the Cromarty Firth and explore the waters around the northern isles of Orkney and shetland. a series of four fascinating voyages allowed guests to discover the highlights of these fa r-flung archipelagos peppered with historic sites and with a distinctly norse influence.

now back in the Western isles we can look forward to the colours of autumn before steaming south to Greenock, our winter home on the Clyde. if you would like the opportunity to sail on board Hebridean Princess this year, before she enters the 10-11 dry-dock for her annual re-ﬁt, we do have limited availability on the last two Clyde cruises at the end of the season in november. Please call our reservations Team on 01756 704704 for the latest availability and prices.

Our 2019 season of european river Cruises has reached a successful conclusion and our 2020 european river Cruise Collection has recently been launched, oﬀering four varied and enthralling itineraries. Travelling on the continent’s great waterways is a voyage of discovery, presenting a combination of enchanting destinations full of history and intrigue. see pages 10 and 11 for full details.

To test your ‘little grey cells’, the Low Countries Crossword competition on the back cover oﬀers the chance to win one of three dVd box sets of Great Canal Journeys. This endearing series sees Timothy West and Prunella scales embark on spectacular canal journeys across britain and abroad. You may recognise some familiar scenery around the Crinan Canal or be tempted to join one of our cruises around the Low Countries as Tim and Pru explore the dutch canals from the windmills of the Kinderdijk to the vibrant city of amsterdam.

i do hope that you enjoy perusing this issue of The Hebridean Times and we look forward to welcoming you on board in the very near future.

Louise Pratt 4-5 Hebridean Times editor View from the Bridge www.hebridean.co.uk 3 HEB TIMES Issue 32.qxp_Layout 1 14/08/2019 15:47 Page 4

The heBRIDeAN TIMeS

View from the Bridge by Captain david Kirkwood

Captain David Kirkwood

early half way through the season finds always part and parcel of cruising the Western Isles. There us based in Invergordon for our Orkney are generally sheltered waters and anchorages to be Nand Shetland cruises, having left Oban found, and our guests’ comfort is, of course, always our on July 9th and not returning to our usual prime concern. Certain ports of call seem to be missed by Western Isles home port until August 13th. some guests time after time but we try our hardest to adjust the itineraries to ensure disappointments are kept The Deck department has seen quite a few changes so far to a minimum. this year with two new Third Officers and a promotion Our three scheduled St Kilda visits in May and June were from Third Officer to Second Officer for Thom herbert. all successfully completed, despite the second one (which One of our l ongstanding Bosuns, Kelvin, retired and has just happened to be the one I was on for!) being disrupted been replaced by Viktor, one of our regular AB's, who a little by the weather. The wind and sea increased whilst slotted seamlessly into the position. As usual, various we were at anchor in Village Bay, but the majority of the changes in the hotel department but despite the new guests were able to get ashore on hirta and then enjoy the faces the ‘team’ has settled in well in all departments. cruise around the Stacs and Boreray, to be able to It was my turn this year for the ‘Spring Surprise’ cruise in appreciate the gannets in their thousands. April and, due to the weather forecast, I decided to head The wildlife cruise was blessed with fine weather and calm south initially, visiting Northern Ireland, the Titanic seas, except for the St Kilda visit, and after weeks of very exhibition in Belfast from Larne, across to Peel and the Isle few dolphins they decided to appear at last, almost daily, of Man, before heading back to Bangor and then returning and of all types, along with whales and a great variety of to the Western Isles for the second half of the week. The bird life. Dave Sexton, one of our wildlife guides, along weather was as forecast, we had smooth passages and with Darren Rees, was able to introduce the guests to the clear skies so at least I was able to get that part right. I white tailed eagles on Mull and show us a nesting site, hope that the ports visited were new and interesting to complete with chicks. We even managed to find a pair most of the guests! when anchored off the Shiants which was an added bonus. As usual we have managed to visit most ports on our For distance covered during a weeks cruise we certainly itineraries, but not necessarily in the right order, which is put in the miles, but all the itinerary was met, despite

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AUTUMN 2019

Hebridean Princess, Peel, Isle of Man by Alison Croose

having to double back on ourselves to fit St Kilda into the I join the ship on her arrival in Invergordon on the 18th July weather window. Our visit to handa Island saw us anchor and, as usual, am keeping my finge rs crossed for fine to the north, by way of a change thanks to the weather, weather during our Orkney and Shetland cruises. having but it turned out to be a real bonus, giving us a sheltered not visited for three years it will be good to sail the area anchorage plus a shorter trip for the shore boat to run the again and be able to call in at a few ports that I missed out guests to and from the landing beach. The Shiants, despite on the last time. Fair Isle is always one place I look forward the aborted beach landing, was a great afternoon, cruising to seeing again and at least we get two chances on each around the bay in the boats while we were at anchor, with cruise, going north or south, so there is a good possibility the puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, etc, etc in their most guests should get a chanc e to land during the next thousands at the start of their breeding season. few weeks.

In June we headed south to visit Northern Ireland again All on board are looking forward to our voyages around and then ventured across to Troon for a visit to Dumfries the Northern Isles of Scotland and hope that the weather house, spending all day there, which was thoroughly behaves itself during our stay so that all guests have a enjoyed as alway s. It really is one of those houses that is a truly wonderful time, before we head back to Oban and must-see for everyone. It was then back round the Mull of the Western Isles once again. Kintyre to the Western Isles once again.

A private golf charter in June was a great success. With 30 plus golfers playing most of the courses, getting all the equipment oﬀ and on the ship and transporting it to and from the venues proved ‘interesting’ but it worked pretty well. The weather was reasonably kind and all venues were thoroughly enjoyed, with the non-golfers excursions greatly appreciated. After the success of the cycling cruise last year, we all look forward to something a little diﬀerent from time to time and making a success of each cruise, no matter what the theme might be from week to week. Puffin, Shiant Isles by Paul Heyes www.hebridean.co.uk 5 HEB TIMES Issue 32.qxp_Layout 1 14/08/2019 15:47 Page 6

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News in Brief

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS TO THE ILF 2019 Ilkley Literature Festival is an annual event in the spa town of Ilkley, West Yorkshire (close to hebridean’s oﬃce in Skipton) and has become one of the UK’s top literary festivals. Attracting many important international literary ﬁgures, its two-week programme, starting in October, now features more than 250 events in a variety of venues in the Ilkley area. Over t he past few years hebridean Island cruises has been proud to sponsor a number of events at the festival and this year we are delighted to be doing so again. We do therefore have a limited number of complimentary tickets available for the following event:

Gyles Brandreth, Saturday 5 October – 2.00pm, Kings Hall, Ilkley Former mP, One show reporter, Just a minute star, and author of the best-selling word-lover’s companion, Have you eaten, Grandma? – has a passion for poetry. His new book, dancing by the Light of the moon, is both a celebration of the best-loved poems in the english language and a unique guide to the value and power of learning poetry by heart. With the secrets of how to improve your memory (whatever your age) and poetry that’s by turns funny, sad, and moving, dancing by the Light of the moon is a book designed to lift your spirits and change your life. if you would like to attend this fascinating event, including a private drinks and buffet lunch reception beforehand, please call our reservations team on 01756 704704 to reserve your tickets. Please be aware that tickets are extremely limited and are issued on a first come, first served basis.

Hebridean Island Cruises nominated for 2019 Food and Travel Magazine Awards

The eight annual Food and Travel Reader Awards short list has been revealed and Hebridean Island Cruises is delighted to be included once again!

Food and Travel magazine says: MAGAZINE “Eight years ago we set out to create a series of awards that were unique. We wanted to impartially identify the very best in the game, judged by experts who could draw on real-life experiences to inform their vote. They had to be people 2019 with unrivalled knowledge and passion for travel and food. They had to be people like you. Unlike other industry awards, ours are entirely nominated and voted on READER by Food and Travel readers.” AWARDS Those with the greatest number of votes on the closing date of 6th september 2019 will be crowned the winners at the prestigious Food and Travel presentation SHORTLISTED ceremony to be held later that month.

We hope we can count on your vote to help us win this prestigious award for the 3rd year in succession. VOTE Please visit www.foodandtravel.com/awards to vote - thank you. FOR US

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AUTUMN 2019

Crew News

We are delighted to announce that 1st Officer Kirk Blacker has successfully achieved his Masters Certificate of Competency Unlimited, more commonly known as the ‘Masters Ticket’, the professional qualification required for mariners to serve as the Master of a commercial vessel. As a result Kirk will be promoted to Chief Officer and will work opposite Caz Palmer. Kirk will support both Captain heaton and Captain Kirkwood in the day to day operations of the %'$ &% ship and take charge of the Deck department. &&#'%$# Steven Grant, 2nd Officer, has moved on to pastures new and is spending time travelling. Thom Herbert has been promoted to fill the vacancy left by Stevie. Bosun Kelvin Summers retired earlier this year after fourteen years of loyal service. We wish him well for a long and happy retirement. Viktor Savik has been promoted to Bosun having worked on board Hebridean Princess for more than 10 years as Able Seaman. he has a wife and daughter at home in Lithuania who are very proud of him. "'&%&% & #'&%! AB Damian Lasek has been promoted to permanent AB on board which means he will remain on board for the winter refit. Many guests will know him for driving the speedboat. We would like to congratulate Kirk, Thom, Viktor and Damian on their promotions as we continue to provide training, development and career progression opportunities for our loyal officers and crew. We wish them well as they settle into their new roles. A warm welcome to new crew member, 3rd Officer Jack Buchanan. Jack was born and raised on the Isle of Lewis, so is a local boy. he "%'$ was previously a cadet with Northern Marine and $ $#' $!& is a good friend of our p revious 3rd Officer Andy. As many of you will be aware the champagne served on board both Hebridean Princess and hebridean River Cruises is supplied by the renowned, family-owned house of Taittinger, whose aim for over a century has been the pursuit of excellence. earlier this year Food and Beverage Supervisors Louis Fabre and Egon Emr successfully completed the ‘Taittinger Champagne – Knowledge and Service’ course and are pictured here with their certificates.

$ ' $#$# " !'$%&'$#' "#' %

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Inlets and Islands of Argyll

ur Inlets and Islands of Argyll cruise which departs from Greenock on KERRERA OBAN OTuesday 17th April 2020, offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of the Clyde islands and lochs of Argyll, Crinan Strachur Crinan Ardkinglas House combined with our first foray north of the season Tayvallich Canal Holy Loch and arrival in our home port of Oban after a long Benmore Botanic Garden winter’s absence. JURA Loch Fyne Portavadie Loch na Mile GREENOCK It is a wonderful feeling sailing into Oban for the first time Craighouse Rothesay each year and you can feel the excitement and joy as BUTE Mount Stuart Hebridean Princess arrives home for the start of the House season.

Just as Hebridean Princess begins a journey that will take ARRAN her out of her winter quarters and on to her summer base, Campbeltown at around the same time the huge turnover in bird An Ceardach Garden populations known as migration will be getting under way SANDA ISLAND too. It likewise involves changes of scene and routines. Mull of Kintyre It is possible that we may encounter one or two front- runners from the hundreds of thousands of small birds that industrial part of the river behind. holy Loch gives you the will already be moving out of Africa into Scotland, but opportunity to enjoy some of the best scenery in Scotland where migrants are concerned we will mainly be looking at and is one of the Clyde's finest natural harbours. Its deep birds preparing to go the other way – from winter in Argyll anchorage is the ideal starting point for a visit to Benmore back to breeding grounds far to the north. Botanic Garden in its magnificent mountainside setting. Its As we depart from Greenock on the south bank of the 120 acres boast a world-famous collection of flowering Clyde and sail west into holy Loch, we leave the once trees and shrubs including over 300 species of

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AUTUMN 2019

#'&$%$ '$%&# $# "%&'" '% #$#'$#$

rhododendron and an impressive avenue of Giant The Mull of Kintyre is the ancient cradle of Scotland, for it Redwoods, arguably one of the finest entrances to any is here in the fifth century AD that Fergus Mór Mac eirc botanic garden in the world. established in 1863, these and the Scoti from Ireland came to establish the kingdom majestic giants now stand over 50 metres high. The of Dál Riata (Dalriada) which gave Scotland its name. garden is particularly glorious in early spring with the After rounding the mull, we head for Loch Sween, a fjordic vibrant blooms of rhododendrons and azaleas. sea loch near Lochgilphead, where we discover the picturesque fishing village of Tayvallich. Bute is an island of distinctly contrasting landscapes from the bare, rounded and craggy uplands of the north to the As we return to familiar waters, we land on our first lower, undulating fertile south. We visit the enchanting hebridean island of the year, Jura. Crowned by the Mount Stuart house; home to the Marquis of Bute, this is a landmark Paps, Jura is a place of wild beauty, offering a must-see Gothic mansion. haven to a wide range of wildlife, including some 6,500 red deer. Craighouse is the only village on the island Loch Fyne stretches 40 miles from the Argyll mountains which has a population of a mere 200 residents. to the sea north of Arran, making it the longest sea loch in the country. At the tip of the loch, set in 25 acres of As we anchor in Loch Crinan, in the distance we can see woodland, is a superb garden surrounding Ardkinglas the hill fort of Dunadd, home of the ancient Celtic Kings manor house. The garden is known for its collection of of Dalriada. We have the opportunity to walk along the Champion conifers, including a Grand Fir that reaches 203 towpath of the Crinan Canal which, when it opened, was feet in height. Another highlight is the Ardkinglas Silver an important supply route to the Western Isles but is Fir, named as one of Britain's top 50 trees. Trails lead now a favourite short cut for yachts on their way out to through lush woodland, following the Kinglas river, the west. winding through a pinetum, and past small lochs. Our final port of call is the tiny isle of Kerrera which On the Cowal Peninsula, Portavadie sits at the mouth of guards Oban bay. historically a stepping stone for cattle Loch Fyne and is at the heart of Argyll’s Secre t Coast. drovers between Mull and the mainland, this fertile and Wild, remote and beautiful this undiscovered area is hilly isle is crowned by the Renaiss ance MacDougall waiting to be explored. stronghold of Gylen Castle.

The peaceful little town of Campbeltown, situated on the Spring is a magical time to experience the seasonal beautiful peninsula of Kintyre, is one of the largest towns changes and signs of new life on the west coast of in Argyll. From here we head to An Ceardach, a 5 acre Scotland. We hope you can join us. sloping garden where paths wander through a vast collection of rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas and many unusual trees, shrubs and herbaceo us perennials. There are ponds, streams, rock and a vegetable garden. Inlets and Islands of Argyll Wild flower meadows have thousands of daffodils, Tues 17th to Tues 24th March 2020 fritillaries, bluebells and orchids in season. 7 nights - Greenock to Oban Sanda is a small privately-owned island and an important Prices from £2,340 per person based on 2 people bird migration and breeding point. Designated a Site of sharing an inside double/twin cabin. Special Scientific Interest, it is home to the first bird observatory on the west coast of Scotland. www.hebridean.co.uk 9 HEB TIMES Issue 32.qxp_Layout 1 14/08/2019 15:48 Page 10

SAVE 2020 European River Cruise Collection

TULIP TIME IN THE LOW LANDS - Amsterdam to Antwerp

Wednesday 1st April to Wednesday 8th April 2020 7 nights including 2 Gala Dinners The Guest speaker – Sandy Primrose Netherlands

experience the glorious colour and scents of over 7 million AMSTERDAM ﬂowers in bloom at Keukenhof Gardens, the UnesCO World ROTTERDAM UTRECHT Germany Heritage site of Kinderijjk, and the fascinating cities amsterdam, rotterdam, bruges and Ghent. SCHOONHOVEN

ANTWERP Travel Plan – 7 nights BRUGES Rhine GHENT Wednesday 1st April - UK / Amsterdam accompanied ﬂight from London Heathrow to amsterdam or eurostar from st. Pancras to brussels and road transfer to amsterdam. B US CL IV Thursday 2nd April – Amsterdam X E E amsterdam - museum Van Loon visit and private reception.

amsterdam - national maritime museum. G E M S Friday 3rd April – Utrecht / Keukenhof Gardens Utrecht - Keukenhof Gardens. Saturday 4th April – Schoonhoven / Kinderdijk schoonhoven - The UnesCO World Heritage site of Kinderdijk. schoonhoven - Walking tour and dutch silver museum. Sunday 5th April – Rotterdam rotterdam - City tour and harbour cruise. Keukenhof Gardens Monday 6th April - Ghent / Bruges bruges – City tour and canal cruise. bruges – Free time or chocolate tasting. Prices per person Brochure Fare New Fare Tuesday 7th April - Ghent Ghent - City tour and st. bavo’s Cathedral Twin Cabins Deluxe Cabin £3,570 £3,210 Wednesday 8th April – Antwerp / UK Double Cabins Premium Cabin £4,470 £4,020 Transfer to brussels airport or brussels midi railway station for the return journey to the UK. Royal Suite £5,750 £5,175 Single Cabins Deluxe Cabin £4,460 £4,010

FLAVOURS OF THE LOW COUNTRIES - Antwerp to Amsterdam

Wednesday 8th April to Wednesday 15th April 2020 The 7 nights including 2 Gala Dinners Netherlands Guest speaker – John Ducker AMSTERDAM Taste belgian chocolate and beer, dutch wine and cheese and experience the glorious colours and scents of over 7 million SCHOONHOVEN Germany ﬂowers in bloom at Keukenhof Gardens. This voyage is a true CUIJK feast for the senses. ANTWERP Rhine

Travel Plan – 7 nights BRUSSELS MAASTRICHT Wednesday 8th April - UK / Antwerp accompanied ﬂight from London Heathrow to brussels or eurostar B from st. Pancras to brussels midi and road transfer to antwerp. Thursday 9th April – Antwerp antwerp – City tour and belgian beer tasting. antwerp – Plantin moretus museum. Friday 10th April – Brussels brussels – City tour and chocolate demonstration with tasting. Saturday 11th April – Maastricht US CL IV maastricht - Walking tour of Old Town. X E E maastricht - Hoeve nekum vineyard tour and wine tasting

Sunday 12th April – Cuijk / Neunen G E M S neunen - Van Gogh Village experience. Antwerp Monday 13th April – Schoonhoven / Gouda Gouda - Walking tour and cheese museum with tasting. Prices per person Brochure Fare New Fare Tuesday 14th April – Amsterdam / Keukenhof amsterdam – Keukenhof Gardens. Twin Cabins Deluxe Cabin £3,570 £3,210 Wednesday 15th April – Amsterdam / UK Transfer to amsterdam airport or brussels midi railway station for the Double Cabins Premium Cabin £4,470 £4,020 return journey to the UK. Royal Suite £5,750 £5,175

Single Cabins Deluxe Cabin £4,460 £4,010

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SAVE

VOYAGE FROM THE DANUBE DELTA - Bucharest to Budapest

Wednesday 7th October to Tuesday 20th October 2020 BUDAPEST Moldova 13 nights including 2 Gala Dinners and 1 night in Bucharest Hungary Guest speaker – Nick Hammond KALOCSA SULINA Romania TULCEA Wonder at the UnesCO protected danube delta, sail the narrow MOHÁCS gorge of the iron Gates and discover some of the imperial cities and BUCHAREST NOVI SAD FETESTI ancient settlements which have been built along this great river. Croatia Iron Gates Travel Plan – 13 nights BELGRADE RUSE VELIKO GRADIŠTE Danube Bosnia and VIDIN Wednesday 7th October - UK / Bucharest Herzegovina SVISHTOV accompanied ﬂight from London Heathrow to bucharest where we enjoy Serbia dinner and spend the night relaxing in a ﬁve star hotel. Bulgaria Thursday 8th October - Bucharest / Fetesti Saturday 17th October – Mohacs / Pécs / Villany bucharest – City tour. Fetesti - embark Royal Crown. Pécs – City tour and the necropolis of sopianae. Friday 9th October – Tulcea / Sulina Villány - Vineyard tour and wine tasting. Tulcea – small boat tour of the danube delta. Sunday 18th October – Kalocsa sail to sulina where the river danube meets the black sea. Kalocsa – Puszta excursion with folk and paprika museum and display Saturday 10th October – Cruising that showcases the exceptional riding skills of the Puszta horsemen. Cruising along the border of bulgaria and romania. Monday 19th October - Budapest Sunday 11th October – Ruse / Veliko Turnovo & Arbanassi budapest – City tour including st matthias Church and the

ruse - Veliko Turnovo and arbanassi open-air museum of cultural Fisherman’s bastion. US CL IV X E heritage and architecture. svishtov – re-join Royal Crown. budapest - Private reception and concert at the royal E Monday 12th October – Vidin Palace of Gödöllő. G S Vidin - baba Vida fortress, Vidin - Opera house private symphony concert. Tuesday 20th October – Budapest/UK E M Tuesday 13th October - The Iron Gates and Kazan Gorge Transfer to budapest airport for the ﬂight home. Cruising the iron Gates gorge New Fare Wednesday 14th October – Veliko Gradiste / Viminacium Prices per person Brochure Fare Viminacium - roman city and legionary fort. Thursday 15th October – Belgrade Twin Cabins Deluxe Cabin £6,620 £5,955 belgrade – City tour and private reception at the royal Palace. Double Cabins Premium Cabin £8,300 £7,470 belgrade – skadarlija evening visit, folk music, dancing and dinner. Royal Suite £10,700 £9,630 Friday 16th October – Novi Sad / Sremski Karlovci sremski Karlovci – Walking tour and local winery with tasting. Single Cabins Deluxe Cabin £8,270 £7,440

DANUBE DISCOVERY - Budapest to Passau

Tuesday 20th October to Thursday 29th October 2020

9 nights including 2 Gala Dinners Danube Slovakia Guest speaker – Nicholas Merchant KREMS VIENNA PASSAU explore the great imperial cities of budapest, bratislava and Vienna Wachau Valley BRATISLAVA SPITZ and discover some hidden gems of the scenic Wachau Valley. LINZ MELK SZENTENDRE Travel Plan – 9 nights PÖCHLARN Danube BUDAPEST Tuesday 20th October - UK / Budapest accompanied ﬂight from London to budapest where Royal Crown awaits. Austria Wednesday 21st October – Budapest Hungary budapest - City tour including st matthias Church and the Fisherman’s R bastion. budapest - aquincum roman museum archaeological park. Thursday 22nd October - Szentendre szentendre - margit Kovács museum. Friday 23rd October – Bratislava bratislava – Walking tour of Old Town and string quartet recital in the Klarissen Church. bratislava – Local wine tasting in Carpathian mountains.

Saturday 24th October - Vienna US CL IV X E Vienna – City tour and exclusive reception at the spanish riding E school with ViP seats for the morning exercise. Vienna – Coach ride and free time with after dinner recital by G E M S musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Sunday 25th October – Krems Krems - Tour of the UnesCO World Heritage Old Town and wine tasting. Salzburg Monday 26th October – Spitz / Melk spitz – Walking tour and apricot liqueur distillery. melk - benedictine abbey. Prices per person Brochure Fare New Fare Tuesday 27th October – Pöchlarn Pöchlarn - artstetten Castle. Twin Cabins Deluxe Cabin £4,580 £4,120 Wednesday 28th October – Linz / Salzburg salzburg - City Tour with lunch. salzburg – Concert at the mozarteum Double Cabins Premium Cabin £5,750 £5,175 University. Royal Suite £7,400 £6,660 Thursday 29th October - Paasau / UK Single Cabins Deluxe Cabin £5,730 £5,150 Transfer to munich airport for the onward ﬂight home. www.hebridean.co.uk 11 HEB TIMES Issue 32.qxp_Layout 1 14/08/2019 15:48 Page 12

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Flavours of the Low Countries

"$'&&!& & '" "$ &%!'%!!&!

oin Guest countries across the globe. every region in the Netherlands Speaker John produces its own distinctive cheese. Cheeses such as JDucker and taste Gouda, edam, and Alkmaar are named after the areas from the best of Dutch and which they originate. Belgian food and drink A freelancer wearing two quite distinct ‘hats’, John is a as you cruise through member both of the Association of Wine educators and a vast network of the élite Circle of Wine Writers, with many sea and river canals and rivers, miles behind him as a lecturer. happily, and never quite stopping in key cities having recovered from the surprise of winning the BBC’s to soak up local Zanussi-sponsored competition ‘The Taste of Italy’ many years ago, judged by Antonio Carluccio, his interest in wine culture and sample the is completely interlocked with that of food and of creating produce for which this exciting balanced wine/food matches. area is renowned. Savour local beer in Europe’s diamond capital of Not a food professional himself, John’s main focus has Antwerp, enjoy the world-famous Belgian centered principally around the sheer diversity of chocolate in historic Brussels, sip award-winning european cuisine, not simply theoretically but practically too, as an accomplished home cook. John has published a Dutch wines in Limburg and taste one of collection of his favourite recipes entitled ‘Dog’s Dinners’, a Holland’s biggest exports, as we explore the celebration of good food which reveals his love of cooking. picturesque city of Gouda. Many will know John as an actor for his role as the voice Often quoted as having the best cuisine europe, Belgium’s and soul of the robot dog K9 in Doctor Who, hence the food specialities extend far beyond just waﬄes, beer and punning title! chocolate. For such a small country, it has rich local The recipe opposite, a classic dish resources such as ﬁsh and mussels, meat and game with which hails from Flanders, a Dutch- butter, cheese, cream, beer and wine being used liberally in speaking area of northern Belgium local cuisine. which encompasses Brussels, Dutch cuisine is unique and distinctive, embracing Bruges and Antwerp, is taken from traditional culinary customs and ingredients. It is safe to ‘Dog’s Dinners’ published under his say that the Dutch are big fans of cheese – they produce stage name, John Leeson. nearly 674,000 tons each year and export it to 130

Flavours of the Low countries - on board MS Royal Crown Wednesday 8th to Wednesday 15th April 2020 - 7 nights - Antwerp to Amsterdam Prices from £3,210 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin cabin Refer to page 10 for more details

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AUTUMN 2019

Leek Flamiche a classic dish that hails originally from Flanders, a creamy tart of leeks that makes a special ﬁrst course or a main dish for a light lunch.

white part of 3 or 4 good sized leeks chopped ﬁnely 100g unsalted butter 3-4 tbsp water salt and pepper double cream (or whipping cream) equal in weight to 1/4 of the cooked leeks 500g puﬀ pastry (i cheat and use shop-bought)

1. stew the chopped leeks very gently in half the butter, adding the rest a little at a time during the cooking. moisten with the water, cover and cook very gently until all the moisture has been absorbed, don’t let them brown. add the cream, mix and season well. allow to cool. 2. roll out half the pastry thinly to cover a round 9-10 inch baking sheet. Place

1 the cooled leek mixture in the middle, leaving a border of about 1 ⁄2 inches all round. roll out the rest of the pastry the same way and use this to cover the leek mixture. Press the pastry edges together well to ensure a ﬁrm seal. To help the pastry to rise, feather the edges with a sharp knife prior to baking. Glaze the surface with beaten egg, then (if you like) make a trellis- work pattern with the point of a knife. 3. Put the tart into a hot oven for 10 minutes and then lower the heat and bake for another 20 minutes. serve very hot.

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Sea users supporting healthy oceans

HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES SUPPORT HELPS TACKLE THE ISSUE OF PLASTIC POLLUTION IN UK SEAS Hebridean Island Cruises has been working with its customers to raise funds for Sea-Changers, the UK marine conservation charity since 2012. Initially, this was through the collection of donations from their customers but in 2018 Hebridean Island Cruises began match funding customers generous contributions eﬀectively doubling the contributions. 100% of the money that guests donate continues to fund marine conservation projects whilst the company’s donations help to fund Sea-Changer’s administration of the grant fund. To date Hebridean Island Cruises has raised over £36,000 for Sea-Changers.

The funds allow sea-Changers to award more marine conservation grants across the UK. Over the years sea-Changers has enabled a vast range of vital marine conservation activity, much of it in scotland including around the beautiful Hebrides themselves. in June 2019, sea-Changers announced that they have supported a further 22 UK-based marine conservation charities and projects in their latest grant round – with a total of nearly £14,000 being distributed. This brings the total of grants they have awarded since they bega n in 2011 to 150. sea-Changers grants support marine research, education, species protection and direct action all around the UK seas and shores. They also run a specific marine Litter Fund and several projects specifically tackling marine pollution have received an award from this fund in this grants round. some of the organisations receiving funds this time are: Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary - To bring andy Peters of The Whale Workshop to shetland with his lifelike inflatable sea creatures to tour the islands’ schools, visiting each area over five days and culminating in a two day display for the wider community at the weekend. Children from all of shetland’s 32 schools will be invited to attend and learn about marine wildlife and the challenges they face, and encouraged to participate in cleaning sh etland’s 1,500 miles coastline, one of the worst affected in europe. Strandliners, an all-volunteer community interest company active in the rye bay area of east sussex, will recruit and train a select number of committed volunteers as ‘citizen scientists’ who will, in turn, recruit, train and manage ‘cells’ of local volunteers in targeted communities across the river rother basin with a view to curbing upstream toxic inflows before they reach the sea. Rhunahaorine Primary School – the grant will fund 12 regular beach cleans between rhunahaorine and Tayinloan. in addition to picking up litter the children will learn about the effects certain types of litter have on sea life and how best to dispose of it. Other children and adults will be invited to join in thus developing young leaders in the primary school as they in turn teach and inform. Clyde Porpoise – the grant will fund research to investigate potential impacts that may have been a contributory factor to mass stranding events around scotland and ireland. Rachel Lopata, Sea-Changers Co-Founder said: “The support of Hebridean Island Cruises over the past seven years has been inspiring. They are a great example of a company who really appre ciates the environment in which they work and wants to give something back. The funds we have received over the past seven years have undoubtedly made a real impact to UK’s shore and seas and enabled thousands of people to get involved in conservation projects local to them. To know there are companies like Hebridean Island Cruises who want to help us make some real changes is fantastic”.

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AUTUMN 2019

Meet the Team - Egon Emr

Joanna and little Oliver. We were fortunate to meet Hebridean Princess and come on board, whilst on our family holiday in scotland, in Tobermory on the island of mull.

With a real passion for scottish malt and good craft ale, i love the opportunity to take a stroll ashore and learn more about the skill that goes into making them. my fellow crew often joke that i can smell a brewery or distillery before the Captain even has it on the radar!

my main home onboard is the Tiree Lounge where i love to get to know our guests preferences and dislikes. With over 100 malt Whiskies to explore, not to mention our craft gin selection, it’s such a pleasure to lead our guests on a voyage of discovery. Of course, it's nice to pull out the odd Looking back, I suppose I first caught the travel cocktail too! during your evening meal, you will find me in bug when my father enrolled me in the Boy Scout the Columba restaura nt serving one of our wide selection tourist organisation back in my teenage years in of wines, and i really enjoy the challenge of pairing wine my hometown of Jindrichuv Hradec in the Czech with the food. Republic. I guess his reasons were to show me The Hebridean experience is all about the little touches and some meaningful direction. i also like preparing little welcome back drinks and our after passing through hotel management college, i made a shoreside hampers. as i always tell our guests, they are an move to my capital of Prague getting essential life essential part of their five a day! as some of you also know, ex perience whilst occasionally working too. i worked in i have recently taken up the bagpipes and enjoy playing international hotels and bespoke cocktail bars learning those on our farewell gala evening. don't worry, i'm not about hundreds of spirits, mixology and the finest scottish giving up my daytime job. malts. my first experience of travelling away from my little The team here has very much a family feel and i am very town just gave me the urge to go even further afield and it proud to be a part of it and work with not just colleagues was then i began to think about cruise ships. but also friends. i look forward to welcoming you in our i started to apply for any bar job where the word cruise Tiree lounge in the not too distant future... ship appeared, n ot really caring who was going to take me where i wanted to go. Princess Cruises were the first to invite me to an interview and i spent seven happy years sailing to all four corners of the world. i was on my second contract aboard the Sun Princess, whilst cruising around australia, that i met a fellow bartender from scotland called iain Gibson, one of our Chief Pursers on Hebridean Princess, and we became great friends very quickly.

after leaving Princess Cruises, i was keen to ﬁnd something a little closer to home and an opportunity came to reunite with iain onboard the renowned Hebridean Princess. i jumped at the chance and have now been here for four happy years, discovering mysterious and wonderful corners of scotland, norway, ireland and many places in between. in comparison to the large cruise ves sels i was used to, i quickly fell in love with the intimate and personal nature of Hebridean. Getting to know our guests is one of my favourite parts of my job and i am always touched by how many of them remember me and ask about my wife

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CROSSWORD COMPETITION The Crossword below relates to our ﬁrst 2 European River Cruises in 2020 and the places we will visit. The solutions can be found in our 2020 European River Cruise Collection brochure or on our website.

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ACROSS DOWN 5. This capital city is also capital of the european Union (8) 1. This medieval city is often called the ‘Venice of the North’ (6) 7. The fine canal house of this aristocratic family, who 2. Patron saint of Ghent after whom the cathedral is named (2,4) co-founded the Dutch east India Company, is now a living 3. Over 800 different varieties of this plant bloom at Keukenhof museum (3,4) Gardens each year (5) 9. A cruise of this city’s harbour will highlight the contrasts of 4. Just outside this former fortified city lie some of the oldest its historic maritime district and modern architecture (9) vineyards in holland on the Limburg hills (10) 11. Dating back to the 1740’s, this UNeSCO World heritage 6. This well-preserved medieval town is nicknamed the ‘Silver City’ (11) Site contains the worlds largest concentration of windmills 8. A replica of this VOC ship built in 1749 can be found at the Maritime (10) Museum in the city which shares its name (9) 13. A major industry since the 19th century, Belgium is world- 10. Village where Vincent van Gogh lived and worked during his first renowned for the production of this speciality (9) years as an artist (6) 14. The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp houses several 12. 60% of Dutch cheese is produced in the region surrounding this works by this Flemish Baroque artist (5,4,6) city in the area also known as Cheese Valley (5)

When you have solved all the clues, the highlighted letters will spell out the name of one of the Low Countries which consists of 12 provinces (3,11). Three lucky winners will be randomly chosen from all the co rrect entries and will receive a DVD Box Set of Great Canal Journeys Series 1-5 starring Prunella Scales and Timothy West. To enter, email the country spelt out in the 14 highlighted squares, together with your name and address to [email protected] by Monday 30th Sept 2019.

* Please note email addresses may be used for marketing purposes. If you would prefer not to receive email communications from Hebridean Island Cruises, please state this in your entry.

ANAGRAM COMPETITION in ISSUE 31 Our thanks to all who entered the competition in the last issue and congratulations to everyone who submitted the correct answers. The lucky winners were Miss J Yardley of Tenbury Wells, Mrs A Willoughby of newton mearns, Mr & Mrs S Graham of stockton-on-Tees and Mr D Woodman of aldershot who have all received a 250 piece Wentworth Hebridean Princess Jigsaw.

Find us on: Hebridean island Cruises Ltd, Kintail House www.facebook.com/hebridean Carleton new road, skipton, bd23 2de www.twitter.com/Hebcruises email: [email protected] web: www.hebridean.co.uk tel: 01756 704704 www.instagram.com/hebrideanislandcruises