MULL ODYSSEY CRUISE: , AND THE (ST HILDA)

The is the heart of the Inner and this is a magical Scottish islands cruise, which makes a circumnavigation of the island to visit the famous islands of Staffa and Iona.

Iona, birthplace of western Christianity was where, in AD563, Saint Columba founded an abbey when he traveled over from Ireland. Iona has been for centuries a place of Christian pilgrimage and here the early abbey monks created the wonderful Book of Kells. Saint Columba and 48 Scottish kings, including Macbeth, as well as some Irish and French kings, are whales, porpoises, dolphins, seabirds and seals. On board our buried on Iona. One can walk in peaceful solitude along the small cruise ships you can do as little or as much as you want. island paths away from the Abbey. Sit back and enjoy the trip as you travel through the island's picturesque Sounds and sea lochs; view the spectacular Staffa has one of the world's most spectacular natural marvels mountains of Mull including mighty ; marvel at the in Fingal's cave - one of the islands many sea caves. The headland lighthouses and castles and get involved in working soaring beauty of the island and the cave's towering, six-sided the ex-tall ship St Hilda or our wee ship Seahorse II – it is all up basalt columns are famously captured by Mendelssohn's to you. Hebridean Overture. We are pleased to offer to our passengers a complementary As we travel around the Isle of Mull we can see incredible visit to Iona Abbey. wildlife - soaring sea and golden eagles, basking sharks, minke and killer This cruise can be a six or eight night itinerary depending on the dates you choose to travel.

ITINERARY

Days 1 - 7 The Isle of Mull Some of the places we may visit are: : Your departure point will be Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina), the gateway to the

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Hebridean isles. After a short introduction to life on board our Island of before we head south to the north side of the small ship we lift anchor and set sail to our first destination. Ross of Mull. Dolphins and porpoises often follow us into our Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebrides. secluded anchorage in Loch na Laithaich near the little village If you wish, we can make time to visit the local distillery or visit of . With our new sea kayaks guests can explore the eagles (Mull is the best place in the UK to see eagles). Soribay incredible Fingal's cave on the Isle of Staffa! Iona: As there are Bay, Loch Tuath: Keeping well clear of Caliach Point we head no sheltered over-night anchorages on Iona, we organize a down towards the , breeding grounds for seals daytrip from the village of Bunessan. There is a short ferry and puffins, to Loch Tuath. Our destination is a pretty crossing across the Sound of Iona to Iona. Loch Spelve: Up anchorage in Soribay Bay where we see, in the distance, the anchor and travel down the Sound of Iona. This a special Sound mountains of Mull dominated by Ben More (963 m) and where the clear blue waters flow over the white sand and where close-by, across the Loch, is the picturesque Eas Fos waterfall the Abbey tower is used as a navigational mark to denote a tumbling into the sea. Lunga, Treshnish Isles: Lunga, one of the safe passage. Out of the Sound the dangerous Treshnish Isles, is a site of Special Scientific Interest because of have to be avoided as we travel along the rocky southern shores the plants which grow there and the wildlife. There are seals and of the Ross of Mull to enter remote Loch Spelve. A narrow it is especially famous for the breeding colonies of kittiwakes, entrance leads us in to the tranquil waters of Loch Spelve with Manx shearwaters, guillemots, razorbills, storm-petrels and the its surrounding ancient oak forest. The anchorage gives us a colony of puffins which, in the breeding season, allow you to different perspective than our previous views of the wonderful approach very close. and : The two islands are called mountains of Mull. There are resident otters along the loch's the ‘sunshine isles’ because of their unique climate. Tiree is shoreline. more populated and famous for its miles of clean, white sandy beaches that are renown throughout the world by surfers and Please Note: wind surfers. In contrast Coll is rugged and mountainous and Please note that your voyage is weather dependent. Weather indented with deep, but sandy coves. The islands are some doesn't just mean good or bad weather. There are many seven miles off the west coast of Mull and on passage we can considerations such as tidal gates, wind direction and strength, see dolphins, Minke whales and basking sharks. If conditions the strength and direction of currents, overfalls, and fetch. If you are right we can drop anchor and appreciate the tranquility of wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such its sweeping sandy beaches, the cry of the corncrakes and the as fly fishing, sea eagle tours, whisky tasting, then please do let gentle pleasure of being 'away from it all'. Fingal’s Cave, Staffa: your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request. It may be difficult to anchor off the island because of the lack of sheltered anchorages but we can sail close to the island to see all of its natural beauty. If time we can head up to Loch Na Keil with its great views of mighty Ben More, to circle round the

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: ST HILDA

YOUR SHIP: St Hilda

VESSEL TYPE: Small Ship

LENGTH: 16.4 metres

PASSENGER CAPACITY: 6

BUILT/REFURBISHED:

Cruise the isles (Skye, Mull, Arran, St Kilda, , Jura, Canna, greyhound"! We will usually get her under sail during a cruise Rum, Barra to name but a famous few) and spectacular (weather permitting, of course) however, because of our busy coastlines of the Hebrides onboard a classic vessel, the ex-tall itineraries and like many yachts, we will usually not be able to ship, St Hilda, a traditional, beamy, 54ft wooden (larch on oak) reach our various night anchorages under sail alone. ketch, fitted with a quiet, six cylinder 112 HP Kelvin engine. St Accommodation The well-lit, roomy deck saloon is where Hilda is a vessel with an incredible Scottish lineage. Built in everyone dines and socialises and where everyone enjoys a 1973 to the highest standard (Lloyds 100A1) at St Monans, convivial atmosphere that is encouraged by shipboard life , by the internationally famous Millers boatyard (a family run aboard this sturdy, ocean-going wooden ketch. Cabins are business with 200 years of wooden boat building) and designed warm and comfortable with six berths for our guests: a spacious by G.L Watson, the world famous Glasgow based naval double en-suite (with shower, toilet, washbasin and two pretty architect, who created the world's first yacht design office in opening portholes), a twin en-suite (with toilet, washbasin and 1873 and designed early America's Cup challengers (such as opening porthole) and a twin cabin (with washbasin). The twin Thistle, Shamrock II, Valkyrie I and II) as well as the famous cabins are both close to the toilet and shower rooms which are racing yacht Britannia. of a high standard for a yacht. All cabin linen and towels are St Hilda was built specifically for sail training with a crew of 20. supplied. By 2007 St Hilda was converted for cruising with only eight The outdoor decks are large and safe, perfect for spotting people - six guests and a skipper and chef - and that is why wildlife and relaxing. You also have some deck space to embark today she is so spacious inside. St Hilda is one of the smallest your own equipment such as kayaks and surfboards. You will of the "Tall Ships" and has competed in several Tall Ship Races. also be able to use our own inflatable sea kayak. Although St Hilda has sailed across the North Sea on a number Your Crew Your professional skipper is passionate about boats, of occasions, she is more of a motor sailor than an "ocean sailing, and the natural environment of the islands and sea

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com lochs of the Hebrides and . He is more than happy to share his knowledge of the area to those on board while ensuring his shipmates have as much fun as possible. You also have your own on board chef who provides wonderful meals, locally-sourced and freshly prepared from the galley.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

Double Cabin En-suite Twin Cabin

Twin Cabin En-suite

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING

25-Apr-2022 to 01-May-2022 Double Cabin En-suite £1620 GBP pp Twin Cabin En-suite £1410 GBP pp Twin Cabin £1020 GBP pp

13-May-2022 to 19-May-2022 Twin Cabin £1020 GBP pp Twin Cabin En-suite £1410 GBP pp Double Cabin En-suite £1620 GBP pp

19-Jun-2022 to 25-Jun-2022 Twin Cabin £1360 GBP pp Twin Cabin En-suite £1880 GBP pp Double Cabin En-suite £2160 GBP pp

16-Jul-2022 to 22-Jul-2022 Double Cabin En-suite £2160 GBP pp Twin Cabin En-suite £1880 GBP pp Twin Cabin £1360 GBP pp

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com