Scotland guide
Our Scotland travel guide reveals a land full of wildlife, and mountainous and marine magnificence.
Inner Hebrides travel guide
Hundreds of puffins line the rocky shoreline on Lunga – the largest of the tiny Treshnish Isles to the west of Mull. The colourful clown-beaked birds aren’t worried about visitors either, says Julie Dubois Marshall from our Hebrides specialists St Hilda’s Sea Adventures: “They just come right up to you, all around your feet – it’s really special.” Take a cruise to Lunga and you won’t just meet puffins, you’ll also see dolphins, the odd minke whale and perhaps a golden eagle or two. You won’t, however, see many other humans.
Whenever I can’t get to sleep in the city… I will think of lying in bed on this vacation, gently rocking with the waves, and the gobsmacking brilliance of the stars.![]()
– a guest on our Inner Hebrides cruise
There’s an edge-of-the-world style escapism and sense of wild freedom offered by Inner Hebrides vacations. That you’re just three hours on the train from Glasgow can come as a bit of a surprise – especially when you’re at anchor in a loch with just you, your shipmates and a blinding night sky. Keep reading our Inner Hebrides travel guide to discover more.
Inner Hebrides are…
made for small ship cruises, although it’s not the only way to explore. Walking tours take you into the heart of the huge landscapes – and Gaelic history.
Inner Hebrides aren’t…
actually that remote, even though they feel it. Hop on a train from Glasgow and you’ll be in Oban in just three hours.
How to get to the Inner Hebrides
You could drive from Glasgow airport, but if you travel to Oban, the gateway to the Inner Hebrides, by train then you’ll enjoy one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world – the West Highland Line. At just three hours from Glasgow, it’s an easy option and as far as responsible tourism goes, it’s our choice too.
The West Highland Line will also take you north, over Rannoch Moor, through Fort William and over the Glenfinnan Viaduct – of Harry Potter fame – to the port at Mallaig (an exquisite journey under steam) where ferries run to the Small Isles of Rum, Muck, Canna and Eigg.
Julie Dubois Marshall from our partner St Hilda Sea Adventures explains that they are trying to encourage guests to turn to the train: “We offer a £50 green voucher to our customers who choose to arrive by train. And it’s actually a lovely way to travel; the train journey is a vacation in itself. It’s very easy and very beautiful, taking you across the Highlands.”
The West Highland Line will also take you north, over Rannoch Moor, through Fort William and over the Glenfinnan Viaduct – of Harry Potter fame – to the port at Mallaig (an exquisite journey under steam) where ferries run to the Small Isles of Rum, Muck, Canna and Eigg.
Julie Dubois Marshall from our partner St Hilda Sea Adventures explains that they are trying to encourage guests to turn to the train: “We offer a £50 green voucher to our customers who choose to arrive by train. And it’s actually a lovely way to travel; the train journey is a vacation in itself. It’s very easy and very beautiful, taking you across the Highlands.”
Cruising in the Inner Hebrides
Small ship cruising isn’t the only way to visit the Inner Hebrides, but these eclectic smattering of islands are almost purpose-built for adventures by boat. Most cruises depart from Oban and follow a variety of itineraries – in part dictated by the somewhat unpredictable weather and tide – which celebrate the history, communities, wildlife and whisky of the region.
“My favorite cruise is our complete circumnavigation of Mull,” says Julie. “It’s just beautiful. And the wildlife is fantastic: you’ll see basking sharks, dolphins, porpoises, eagles, seals and even minke whales if you’re lucky.”
The small locally staffed boats mean that experts in all things Hebrides – from wildlife and walks to where to get the best cup of coffee – are there to offer a guiding hand. For Julie, sharing this innate local knowledge goes one step further.
“I was very keen for all our crew to do WiSe Scheme training, so they can speak to visitors about the marine environment and wildlife and discuss issues with them. Education through talking to our guests is one of the most useful things we can do to protect the natural heritage of the Hebrides.”
Read our small ship cruising guide for more information on where and how to cruise in Scotland.
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