Gateway to the Isles

Vessel: Gateway to the Isles
Where: Scotland

Sorry we’re full!
This voyage is fully crewed. Check out our voyage finder to see what else we have available.

Sail with tall ship Blue Clipper as she journeys from the Gateway of the Isles to explore the beautiful West coast of Scotland.

Join Blue Clipper for a 9-night voyage from Oban – ‘the gateway to the isles’ as she makes her way to Mallaig on the west coast of the Highlands of Scotland.

Your journey takes us to remote islands and isolated anchorages with possible stops at The Isle of Mull, with its colourful town of Tobermory and some of the “small isles” of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck. We may also have the opportunity to visit the Outer Hebrides islands of Barra and Mingulay and finally the rugged beauty of Skye.

Mull
The second largest of the Inner Hebrides. Tobermory, the main village is a waterfront of pretty coloured buildings and houses where you will find the island’s distillery and museum. Take a trip to the large sweeping bay at Calgary or visit one of the 6 Castles dotted around the island. For wildlife lovers, Mull is the best place in the UK to see white-tailed and golden eagles, along with otters, whales, dolphins and red deer to name a few. Take a walk up Ben More – the ‘great mountain’ or around some of the wildest coastal scenery in the UK.

Bike hire is also available from Tobermory including electric bikes.

The Small Isles
Rum is the largest island of the group and is owned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) who run the island as a National Nature Reserve. The island is formed from an old volcanic plug and has its own Cuillin (rocky ridge) which is often confused with that on Skye when viewed from a distance. Visitors are able to follow two small nature trails laid out around the village of Kinloch where there is also a village shop that is usually open in the evening. A guided tour of Kinloch Castle is a must – the castle almost exactly as it was left in the 1950s by the former owners, the wealthy but eccentric Bullough family.

Eigg is the second-largest island of the group and is owned by a Community Trust which purchased the island in 1997, the most recent of inhabitants in the 8,000 plus years that the island has been inhabited. As with Rum, the island is rich in wildlife and geology, whilst for a spot of ‘sun and surf,’ Laig Beach and the Singing Sands are recommended.

Canna is the most westerly of the Small Isles and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland who has farmed it since 1981. Like the rest of the island group Canna has many sites of archaeological interest and has links to the Neolithic, Columbian and Viking eras. It has been a bird sanctuary since 1938, and over 150 species of birds have been monitored in the last 40 years.

Muck is the smallest of the small isles at 2 miles x 3/4 mile wide. Basking Sharks, Minke Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises and even Orcas are seen in the waters around Muck. A visit to the craft and tea shop near the harbour at Port Mòr is a must for delicious home-baked goods and a locally made gift.

Barra and Vatersay, Outer Hebrides
Walk, hire a bike or kayak around the island with its white sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery.

From Castlebay, you will see Kisimul castle – ‘the castle in the sea’. Take a trip across the causeway to the even smaller idyllic island of Vatersay. Buy some Hebridean toffee at Macroons Tea room or have a wee dram in the Castlebay bar.

Mingulay
Owned by the National Trust of Scotland and uninhabited except for about 500 sheep! A wild and beautiful island with caves, sea stacks, turquoise waters and an abundance of seabirds

Skye
We hope to stop at Loch Scavaig – one of the most dramatic of the Hebridean anchorages with the backdrop of the rocky mountain range – The Cuillen.

As with all Blue Clipper’s sailing holidays, your ticket price includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks and Soft Drinks. There are six ensuite twin cabins and one six-berth cabin with a shared bathroom. All cabins have bedding and towels provided.

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!

Travel Planning

From: Oban

To: Oban

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

GETTING THERE:

Liverpool is a large city in the North West of England, serviced by an international airport and great rail and bus links. Once you arrive in the city centre, make your way down to the waterfront where you will find Tall Ship Maybe berthed in the Albert Dock, usually opposite the Maritime Museum.

By Air:
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is only nine miles from Liverpool city centre and offers over 60 inbound UK and European routes. Carriers such as EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, FlyBe and Blue Air offer convenient and cost-effective air travel from most major European cities.

Manchester Airport is only 45 minutes from Liverpool city centre and offers many direct long haul routes in to the North West. Carriers include British Airways, Emirates, Etihad and KLM.

By Rail:

Travelling to Liverpool by train has never been easier or faster when it’s only 2 hours 13 minutes from Central London on Virgin Trains’ state-of-the-art tilting Pendolino trains.

London Midland Trains, Transpennine Express and Northern Rail also run routes into Liverpool from all major UK cities.

Getting Home

Aberdeen can be reached by road, rail, sea or sky and when you get here Aberdeenshire is easily accessible by public transport, taxi or car.

By Air:

Aberdeen International Airport is located just six miles from Aberdeen city centre and is within easy reach of Aberdeenshire.

The region is well connected globally with daily flights to all major airports including all three London airports, Paris and Amsterdam. The international airport also has many direct routes to most UK cities as well as many key European destinations. For further information about the destinations you can fly from to Aberdeen, or to book your flight, please visit www.aberdeenairport.com.

By Sea:

Aberdeen Ferry Terminal is located at Jamieson’s Quay directly across from the shopping centre, Union Square and the Aberdeen Railway Station. The centrally located harbour is where ferries travel regularly to/from the Scottish Isles, Orkney and Shetland.

For more information about travelling from Orkney and Shetland and for ferry timetables please visit www.northlinkferries.co.uk.

By Rail:

Aberdeen’s railway station, right in the heart of the city, has frequent fast and reliable services to and from major cities. Travel on one of the hourly trains from Glasgow and Edinburgh or use the east coastline to travel from cities such as York or Newcastle.

Scotrail provides an express rail service direct to Aberdeen from many major cities. For timetables and to book your train tickets to Aberdeen visit the Scotrail website.

East Coast Trains run services along the East Coast Main Line and frequently run trains from cities such as Edinburgh, York, Newcastle and London further details can be found on their website www.eastcoast.co.uk.

National Rail offers rail services to Aberdeen and the surrounding area, perhaps when you get here you may wish to travel to towns including Dyce, Inverurie and Huntly, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for further details