Skye and the Small Isles sailing vacation
Highlights
Sailing and cruising around the Small Isles | Isle of Oronsay | Isle of Eigg | Rum Island | Isle of Skye | Loch Scavaig | Black Cuillins Mountains | Isle of Canna | Isle of Mull | Loch Spelve, | Whale and dolphin watchingTravel Team
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This vacation is designed for families, small group and solo travelers
Our small ship cruises in Scotland take place on a choice of three converted small ships: St Hilda (a traditional wooden ex-tall ship with maximum capacity for 6 guests), Seahorse II (a former ferry cruiser from Norway with maximum capacity for 12 guests) or Gemini Explorer (a converted lifeboat cruiser with maximum capacity for 7 guests). All three ships have been converted to cruise the western islands of Scotland in comfort and style and are especially suited to families, solos or groups of friends. Children from 5 years old to the most demanding teenager love the experience. Included in the price are all meals and your onboard skipper and chef who will provide an unforgettable vacation for everyone on board. This vacation is operated by a company based in the vacation destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. If possible they will tailor-make your vacation to suit your requirements including length and start date of trip.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.

We are proud to say we have recently been awarded The Green Tourism's Silver Award.
We are also a gold member of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) so we will only be serving fish, from local fish-mongers, which are sustainable and approved by the MCS.
We are a corporate member of the Shark Trust, and have adopted the magnificent basking shark. Our adoption is helping fund vital basking shark research in our cruising area.
We are also a corporate partner of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust which means we foster environmental awareness and we work to safeguard the future of Scottish seas and cetaceans.
Our crew are officially WiSe Scheme Trained which means they are taught about watching marine wildlife the wildlife-safe way in our cruising area.
We are committed to excellence in offering vacations to people who have a feel for the sea and its wildlife, both below and above the waves, as well as ashore. Our aim is to respect the sea and the local marine and shore-based environment. To leave everything as we find it is our motto, respecting the delicate eco-system balance of sky, sea and shore. To achieve our “Leave Only a Wake” policy we have a series of aims:
Our aim is to create sustainable tourism by respecting the local sea and shore-based environment. We adhere to high standards of economic, environmental and social policy and practice in our interactions with clients, staff, core suppliers and partners as well as the wider social and ecological environment. We buy free range eggs, free range chicken and organic meat.
We look after our clients to the best of our ability and supporting them on the vessel in personnel safety and creating a respect for the marine environment. Our on board skills training aims to develop confidence and competence and we have extensive briefing of our safety and environmental procedures to our crew.
We have responsible standards of crew recruitment and development. At all times there are always two team members available. Our fully qualified skippers have sailed many thousands of sea miles. All activities in the water are monitored to protect both humans and the marine life.
Our onboard policy is that all rubbish is brought ashore and we have a strict recycling policy of all non-organic waste.
Our skippers and onboard wildlife guides discuss the local shore and marine environment, wildlife and ecosystems. We explain how to behave in a responsible manner to the animals (for example puffin and seal colonies) and birds (especially breeding colonies) that we encounter. We also help clients gain an awareness of local marine environment by encouraging them to study the nautical charts of the region as well making them aware of the ever changing Scottish weather patterns. The skipper keeps the clients regularly informed of local meteorological reports.
The Impacts of this Trip
We employ the services of the local marina, shops, services, restaurants and guides. These suppliers all employ local staff.
We encourage our guests to visit locally important heritage sites, visit local gardens, craft shops and participate in cultural events. We also work with local wildlife rangers and tour guides. Tourism is increasingly a vital part of the income for the local residents of this somewhat remote, isolated but beautiful region of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Thus we use all local products and local services with the intention of helping to support local businesses, create employment and contribute to the overall sustainable development of not only our starting point of our voyage but also in the islands and communities of the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
We aim to create a good relationship with tourism and the local communities and at all times are aware and try to bring awareness to the fragile marine ecosystems through which we sail.


We are proud to say we have recently been awarded The Green Tourism's Silver Award.
We are also a gold member of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) so we will only be serving fish, from local fish-mongers, which are sustainable and approved by the MCS.
We are a corporate member of the Shark Trust, and have adopted the magnificent basking shark. Our adoption is helping fund vital basking shark research in our cruising area.
We are also a corporate partner of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust which means we foster environmental awareness and we work to safeguard the future of Scottish seas and cetaceans.
Our crew are officially WiSe Scheme Trained which means they are taught about watching marine wildlife the wildlife-safe way in our cruising area.
We are committed to excellence in offering vacations to people who have a feel for the sea and its wildlife, both below and above the waves, as well as ashore. Our aim is to respect the sea and the local marine and shore-based environment. To leave everything as we find it is our motto, respecting the delicate eco-system balance of sky, sea and shore. To achieve our “Leave Only a Wake” policy we have a series of aims:
Our aim is to create sustainable tourism by respecting the local sea and shore-based environment. We adhere to high standards of economic, environmental and social policy and practice in our interactions with clients, staff, core suppliers and partners as well as the wider social and ecological environment. We buy free range eggs, free range chicken and organic meat.
We look after our clients to the best of our ability and supporting them on the vessel in personnel safety and creating a respect for the marine environment. Our on board skills training aims to develop confidence and competence and we have extensive briefing of our safety and environmental procedures to our crew.
We have responsible standards of crew recruitment and development. At all times there are always two team members available. Our fully qualified skippers have sailed many thousands of sea miles. All activities in the water are monitored to protect both humans and the marine life.
Our onboard policy is that all rubbish is brought ashore and we have a strict recycling policy of all non-organic waste.
Our skippers and onboard wildlife guides discuss the local shore and marine environment, wildlife and ecosystems. We explain how to behave in a responsible manner to the animals (for example puffin and seal colonies) and birds (especially breeding colonies) that we encounter. We also help clients gain an awareness of local marine environment by encouraging them to study the nautical charts of the region as well making them aware of the ever changing Scottish weather patterns. The skipper keeps the clients regularly informed of local meteorological reports.

The Impacts of this Trip
We employ the services of the local marina, shops, services, restaurants and guides. These suppliers all employ local staff.
We encourage our guests to visit locally important heritage sites, visit local gardens, craft shops and participate in cultural events. We also work with local wildlife rangers and tour guides. Tourism is increasingly a vital part of the income for the local residents of this somewhat remote, isolated but beautiful region of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Thus we use all local products and local services with the intention of helping to support local businesses, create employment and contribute to the overall sustainable development of not only our starting point of our voyage but also in the islands and communities of the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
We aim to create a good relationship with tourism and the local communities and at all times are aware and try to bring awareness to the fragile marine ecosystems through which we sail.

2 Reviews of Skye and the Small Isles sailing vacation
Reviewed on 08 Oct 2018 by Christine Ansons
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Exploring the beautiful coastline around Mull, Loch Sunart and Loch Teacuis.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Wetsuits were really useful when kayaking. Thermals for the cooler times outside. Very snug and cosy in the lounge in the evening.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Fresh supplies bought in Tobermory. Great care taken in dealing with refuse.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent initial safety briefing and tour of boat with skipper, Christoph and chef
and crew, Amy, really gave us confidence and enabled us to enjoy our time on this beautiful ketch. Superb scenery and wildlife. Christoph shared his knowledge about sailing and the local area and Amy served us some delicious, inventive meals. Wonderful company and an amazing experience.
Reviewed on 04 Aug 2017 by Brigitte Horlitz
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I was very happy that we found the puffins rock (Dún Mòr) on Sanday. With another traveler I surrounded the peninsula with the help of a map with only a few details like some walls, the church and the silhouette of the island - no paths! But the puffins were exactly where they had been indicated on the map, and we had a wonderful, long walk. But I also enjoyed the boat trips - plenty of time to watch the sea, the sky, the birds, the seals, even some dolphins...
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Enjoy a wake-up-swimming from the boat in the morning - I wish I could continue to start my days like this! I brought several different shoes, but I found my waterproof sandals most practical for most purposes except for the longer walks.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We had mostly local (and very delicious!) food and bought souvenirs in the local shops and didn't leave any garbage on the islands.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I spent a wonderful, varied, exciting, relaxing and to my surprise even culinary week in Scotland with very nice people (travelers and crew). Of course none of us is used to share his room with three strangers, but everybody was very flexible and considerate and so we had a great time very close to nature. Thank you very much!
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