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Staffa, Iona and the Ross of Mull

Staffa, Iona and the Ross of Mull

MULL ODYSSEY CRUISE: STAFFA, AND THE

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 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 buried on Iona. One can walk in peaceful solitude along the island paths away from the Abbey. Staffa has one of the world's most spectacular natural marvels in Fingal's cave - one of the islands many sea caves. The soaring beauty of the ITINERARY island and the cave's towering, six-sided columns are Days 1 - 7 Staffa, Iona and the Ross of Mull famously captured by Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture. As we travel around the Isle of Mull we can see incredible wildlife - Some of the places we may visit are: : Your departure point will be Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina), the gateway to the Hebridean isles. After a short soaring sea and golden eagles, basking sharks, minke and killer introduction to life on board our small ship we lift anchor and set sail to our whales, porpoises, dolphins, seabirds and seals. On board our first destination. Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in . If you wish, we can make time to visit the local distillery or visit small cruise ships you can do as little or as much as you want. eagles (Mull is the best place in the UK to see eagles). Soribay Bay, Loch Sit back and enjoy the trip as you travel through the island's Tuath: Keeping well clear of Caliach Point we head down towards the picturesque Sounds and sea lochs; view the spectacular , breeding grounds for seals and puffins, to Loch Tuath. Our destination is a pretty anchorage in Soribay Bay where we see, in the mountains of Mull including mighty ; marvel at the distance, the mountains of Mull dominated by Ben More (963 m) and headland lighthouses and castles and get involved in working close-by, across the Loch, is the picturesque Eas Fos waterfall tumbling into the sea. Lunga, Treshnish Isles: Lunga, one of the Treshnish Isles, is a site of the ex-tall ship St Hilda or our wee ship Seahorse II – it is all up Special Scientific Interest because of the plants which grow there and the to you. We are pleased to offer to our passengers a wildlife. There are seals and it is especially famous for the breeding colonies complementary visit to Iona Abbey. This cruise can be a six or of kittiwakes, Manx shearwaters, guillemots, razorbills, storm-petrels and the colony of puffins which, in the breeding season, allow you to approach very eight night itinerary depending on the dates you choose to close. and : The two islands are called the ‘sunshine isles’ because travel. of their unique climate. Tiree is more populated and famous for its miles of clean, white sandy beaches that are renown throughout the world by surfers and wind surfers. In contrast Coll is rugged and mountainous and indented with deep, but sandy coves. The islands are some seven miles off the west

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com coast of Mull and on passage we can see dolphins, Minke whales and basking sharks. If conditions are right we can drop anchor and appreciate the tranquility of its sweeping sandy beaches, the cry of the corncrakes and the gentle pleasure of being 'away from it all'. Fingal’s Cave, Staffa: 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 Island of before we head south to the north side of the Ross of Mull. Dolphins and porpoises often follow us into our secluded anchorage in Loch na Laithaich near the little village of . With our new sea kayaks guests can explore the incredible Fingal's cave on the Isle of Staffa!

Please Note: Please note that your voyage is weather dependent. Weather doesn't just mean good or bad weather. There are many considerations such as tidal gates, wind direction and strength, the strength and direction of currents, overfalls, and fetch. If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as fly fishing, sea eagle tours, whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request.

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com YOUR SHIP: SEAHORSE II

YOUR SHIP: Seahorse II wildlife. A bridge

VESSEL TYPE: Small Ship

LENGTH: 24.9 metres

PASSENGER CAPACITY: 11

BUILT/REFURBISHED:

Seahorse II (82 feet long and a beamy 23 feet) was built to the highest standard for the Norwegian fjords and life in the high full of the best navigational aids, a high foredeck for wildlife northern latitudes. A 10mm Swedish steel hull, air conditioned spotting and a boat deck for lounging, she is the perfect vessel and heated throughout, and winter sailing for the British Royal for your life afloat. On the spacious aft deck (ideal for alfresco Navy for months at a time in the western approaches means dining when the boat is at anchor or under way) we have a that this wee cruise ship is more than enough for these summer powerful little crane for launching Seahorse's two dinghies, two adventures in the Gulf Stream warmed waters of the west coast sea kayaks and paddle board. Here there is also plenty of room of . Powerful enough to cruise the many spectacular for your windsurf and kitesurf gears, diving gear, sailing dinghies islands and lochs of the and , yet and anything else you need for a great Scottish sea adventure. small enough to anchor in remote and hauntingly beautiful Your Crew You will have a crew of three taking you on your places that the larger passenger ships are unable to visit. With a Scottish mini cruise. Your professional skipper is passionate maximum speed of 11 knots (from a 350 hp Volvo diesel) about boats, sailing, and the natural environment of the islands Seahorse II is a sturdy, go-anywhere, yet comfortable and sea lochs of the Hebrides and . He is more than adventurer. happy to share his knowledge of the area to those on board Accommodation Seahorse II takes a maximum of eleven guests. while ensuring his shipmates have as much fun as possible. You There are two NEW double (or twin) en-suites and two twins, will have your own on board chef who provides wonderful three single cabins, one with a 105 cm wide bed, all meals, locally-sourced and freshly prepared from the galley and temperature controlled and with washbasin. All cabin linen and a bosun/crewmember who will be there to provide assistance towels are supplied including luxurious towelling dressing gowns whenever you will need it. for the cabins with no en-suite. There is a wonderful deck saloon where we dine and view the spectacular Hebridean

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com PRICING

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com

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