Sailing Iona & Staffa

Join tall ship Bessie Ellen in the Scottish harbour town of Oban for a sailing holiday to remember! Explore the West coast of Scotland from the water as Bessie Ellen makes her Grand Tour to the picturesque Iona and Staffa.

Life at Sea

This voyage is perfect for those wanting to experience the magic of Scotland under sail and venture to anchorages off the beaten track, away from the tourist hustle and bustle.

The time at sea is yours to make your own and guests are invited to become as involved as much as they like by taking the wheel, navigating or hauling the ropes. Bessie Ellen is a traditional tall ship with not a winch in sight so it’s certainly a case of all hands on deck. No experience is needed and new comers are always welcome but a lust for adventure is a must!

The Grand Tour

Majestic Mull and her outlying islands are certainly one of the highlights of Scotland and perhaps one of the most geologically interesting and spectacular of all the island groups. With ever-changing scenery from the high peaks of Ben Mor, the famously picturesque painted village of Tobermory or to the perfection of saintly Iona, there truly is a special place for everyone.

Hidden on the eastern shore, at the heart of Mull lies Loch Spelve, a classic sheltered sea loch. Rising steeply from the golden shores, soft verdant fields reach up to the high rocky peaks that tower above. A walk along the quiet road leads to the freshwater loch where Golden eagles can be easily spotted once you know where to look.  Otters like it here too. Freshwater and clams are just what they like and for those of you that like the peace and quiet on deck, keep watch for the rippling of the water where a sweet smooth otter head may appear. Whatever the weather, rain or shine this is one of our favourite anchorages.

Little lies beyond the Ross of Mull but the wide Atlantic ocean only broken by the rocky shores of Iona, an emerald isle in a sea of aquamarine.  This is such a lovely place and with little amounts of traffic, you can blend in with the community, visit the ancient abbey or walk the crofter’s paths in search of the ever-elusive corncrake.

If you know a bit about Staffa you probably know that Mendelsohn visited the island and was so inspired by Fingal’s Cave that he wrote his Hebrides Overture.  This tiny basalt island became an accepted venue on the cultural grand Tour of Europe,  with its geological marvels first being made known by the naturalist  Joseph Banks who visited in 1772. He  wrote:

“Compared to this what are the cathedrals and palaces built by men! Mere models of playthings, imitations as his works will always be when compared to those of nature.”  

 

Wildlife in Scotland

Treshnish is, in many ways one of the prettiest of the smaller isles with its high basalt cliffs which are home to a vast colony of seabirds including the charming Puffins and noisy guillemots. Spend time lying on the cliff edge amidst the burrows marvelling at these comical creatures as they crash land a few inches away before tumbling off to catch more sand eels. After anchoring for the night we succumb to the tranquillity of the island knowing there is little to do but walk, watch birds and take in the scenery and the hospitality of this special place.

Keep your eyes peeled throughout your Scottish sailing holiday for a plethora of wildlife spotting opportunities both from the water and on the land. Dolphins, Whales and a many seabird species are regularly spotted with birds of prey, otter and deer to name a few, frequent visitors to these waters.

As with all Bessie Ellen’s sailing holidays, your ticket price includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks and Drinks. Curtained bunk berths are int he spacious shared open saloon below decks with bedding provided – you just need to bring your own towel.

Simply click “Enquire Now” to reserve your berth for five days whilst you sort your travel plans. No booking form or deposit is required until you are ready to book!

All voyages for Bessie Ellen

Bessie Ellen

Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff Rigged Ketch

Bessie Ellen offers quality sailing holidays on board a classic tall ship with over 100 years of history and is now one of the last West Country trading ketches.

This ship worked through both world wars during the last era of wind-powered trade when ships like Bessie were seen all over England. She is featured on the National Historic Ships Register, which identifies her as a historic vessel that needs to be conserved.

Now, her working life is very different, and she spends her days cruising around British and European waters, offering hands-on sailing holidays. With an experienced and hospitable crew, Bessie Ellen provides her guests with a comfortable and authentic tall ship sailing experience. Skipper Nikki occasionally nods back to Bessie’s past by loading her up with cargo for ocean passages, transporting beer from Harbour Brewery and making the most out of the emission-free transport that Bessie offers.

Read more about Life on board Bessie Ellen here >

Sail with Bessie Ellen and Nikki, around Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, the Hebrides and  St. Kilda, you’ll not only enjoy sailing aboard a tall ship, but experience unique coastlines, abundant wildlife, and excellent food, all sourced locally and prepared on board. Nikki and her crew are also joined by salty sea dog Bracken, who will love to go on you adventures with you!

Choose from weekend breaks, weeklong trips, or 10-day explorations for a truly unforgettable holiday.

More about Bessie Ellen

FAQ

• What COVID policies are in place for sailing with Bessie Ellen?

  There are currently no Test & Sail policies in place for the 2022 season.

• Are meals included?

  Yes - and we pride ourselves on the quality of food served!

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please let us know at the time of enquiry

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• Do I need to bring bedding or towels?

  All your bedding (duvet and pillow) is provided but please bring your own towels (washing and/or swimming)

• What language is spoken on board?

  English is the main language spoken, however on occasion we have crew onboard who are multilingual.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  There are 12 comfortable berths in the former cargo hold. This is an open plan area that is also used for meals and relaxing

• How many toilets/showers does she have?

  Bessie Ellen has two toilets/showers for guests.

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you will be able to reach 3/4G when you are close to land.

• Is there an age limit?

  No, but we advise over 16's for scheduled voyages as there is an open saloon sleeping arrangement. There is no limit for private charter.

• Can I charge my phone or camera?

  Yes. We run generators every day in the morning and evening, which run the 240 volt system of normal 3 pin sockets.

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• Are waterproofs available?

  No. Please bring your own. There are a few spare for emergencies only.

• Do I need to be a seasoned sailor?

  Not at all. We give everyone who joins us on board the choice to do as much or as little as they like, whether the know how to or not.

• Do I have to do watches?

  During a passage crossings you may be asked to be part of our watch rota, this is not compulsory but is definitely part of boat life that guests enjoy when at sea for long periods.

• Will there be time to get off the boat?

  Yes on most of our trips we try and explore the areas we are sailing around each day, except for passage crossings where of course we are at sea for most of the voyage.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are worried to take some medication 24 hours before travelling.

Travel Planning

From: Oban

To: Oban

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

PARKING

There is ample parking in Oban if you arrive by car. Secure parking can be found at MacQueen Bros, or you could try the Tesco carpark and pay for 24 hour parking on arrival using the Your Parking Space app.

BY RAIL

Oban station is a 5-10 minute walk from North Pier. Trains run 6 times a day to Glasgow Queen Street Station where there are good travel links to the rest of the UK.

BY AIR:

Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport both require taking a train from Oban which takes approximately 2-3hours. Flights go direct to Stansted Airport.

STAY IN OBAN:

There are plenty of places to stay in Oban. Try Witchwood House, The Scot or Perle Hotels Oban.