Cruising & Wildlife Watching in the Small Isles

YOUR SAILING AREA

Cruising the West coast of Scotland

Skye and the Small Isles provide the perfect opportunity for coastal exploration away from tourist crowds with wonderful wildlife watching both onshore and from the water. Skye’s iconic mountain range provides a breathtaking backdrop as you approach from the water, with some of the best sunsets in the Hebrides. The Small Isles are made up of four main islands; Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck,  each with it’s own unique personality all with a multitude of remote anchorages and opportunities to explore the shorelines or walk into the hills for more breathtaking viewpoints and an abundance of wildlife.

Once you’ve boarded and met your fellow guests and crew, Fleur de Lys will depart Mallaig and will head out into the magnificent Hebrides. It is likely your first stop will be the Isle of Rum, anchoring in the picturesque sheltered waters of Loch Scresort and you can enjoy first delicious meal aboard. The next few days will see a combination of hearty breakfasts, followed by some short water crossings, onshore exploration and wildlife watching. As you motor underway to your next destination, keep your binoculars close and your eyes peeled. Skipper Iain is well versed with a beady eye to spot marine life on the horizon and you’ll often hear him shouting to guests excitedly from the bridge to come and share his wildlife spots!

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Skye & The Small Isles

Wildlife watching and cruising around the coasts of Skye boasts a plethora of anchorages and remote mooring buoys.  Explore the dramatic Loch Scavaig and walk through Loch Coruisk on Skye and eat dinner against the stunning backdrop of the Cuillin Mountains. It has a large resident colony of Harbour seals and you may well spot red deer, Golden and White Tailed eagles and Otters are frequent visitors to the riverbanks and shores here.

Discover the island of Canna where you anchor up and explore ashore with the resident puffin colony. These birds are fascinating to watch and it’s amazing how close you can get without alarming them.

Rum is a National Nature Reserve and is the largest island, home to the architecturally remarkable and now deserted Kinloch Castle, and of course some wonderful wildlife. The island’s most famous residents are sea eagles (re-introduced in the 1980s), red deer and the hardy Rum ponies. There is plenty of exploring to be had on the Isle of Rum, taking in the stunning mountain and coastal scenery.

Eigg is by far one of the most recognisable of the Small Isles with it’s distinctive ridge named the Sgùrr of Eigg. For those that wanting a good day of walking the climb to the top offers fantastic views over the other Small Isles and across to Skye and Ardnamurchan. Just 5 miles in length and one single road it also boasts to be the only fully sustainable island in the Hebrides with its own electric grid! This hardy community welcome visitors, and offer a tea room, gift shop and museum detailing the history of the island. Not only is it a favourite for the birdwatchers, with over 200 species spotted, but also with no light pollution the stargazing at night is truly spectacular.

Wonderful Wildlife

Guest can enjoy regular wildlife encounters with Common, Bottlenose & Whitebeak dolphins onboard these trips, and Risso & White-sided dolphins are also occasionally sighted. Basking sharks have been scarce the last few years but are still seen and seem to be returning – and we know the hot spots! There are plenty of whales in this part of the world too. Our most common encounters are with Minke – Humpbacks are a less frequent visitor, while the real star of the show is the resident pod of Orca if you’re lucky enough to see them gliding through the water.

All voyages for Fleur de Lys

Fleur de Lys

Guest berths: 8 Rig: Motorboat

Fleur de Lys is a modern, comfortable and well considered motor-cruiser perfect for exploring the west coast of Scotland by water. She provides the perfect base for Hebridean wildlife watching and onshore exploration. With a list of remote anchorages and moorings in their knowledge, the crew know all the best spots to take guests. From local Sea Eagle nests, seal colonies and Puffin watching on Canna, Iain the skipper has lived in the Hebrides all his life so has a vast knowledge of exploring Skye and the Small Isles.

Her size and shape makes her a really comfortable boat to motor through the water while giving generous spaces for guests to relax aboard. Her spacious saloon and separate galley sit at deck level while downstairs offers one double ensuite cabin (this can also be made into a 4-berth family cabin), two twin cabins and separate crew accommodation. No expense has been spared on Fleur de Lys with all her beds being full-size, pocket sprung mattress’!

Cruising the Hebrides with Fleur de Lys is certainly one of comfort and style. With a recent re-fit and a dedicated onboard chef, you’ll be well looked after. Read more here about what to expect to while onboard.

Hebridean cruise holidays on Fleur de Lys are the best way to exploring the West coast of Scotland. Perfect for couples or families looking for private charters.

More about Fleur de Lys

SAMPLE MENU FOR FLEUR DE LYS

All food is made on board and local, fresh produce is top of the shopping list! Please note that this is an example of what you may be served.

BREAKFAST

• Hearty Porridge
• Fruit and yoghurt
• Toast and conserves or eggs

ELEVENSES/AFTERNOON CAKE

• Tea, coffee and home-made cakes

LUNCH

• Home-made soup of the day
• Spanish omelette or frittata

DINNER

Starter

• Cauliflower soup
• Cullen skink
• Local scallops, black pudding, pancetta, pea puree
• Filo vegetable parcels with soy glaze

Main

• Sausage cassoulet with garlic mash
• Fresh cod, with red pepper, chorizo and crushed baby potatoes
• Haggis, neaps, potatoes and creamy peppercorn sauce
• Local scallops, pancetta, broad bean risotto

DESSERT

• Lemon, vanilla cheesecake
• Cheeseboard
• Hot chocolate fudge cake with ice cream
• Caramel and pecan brownie with ice cream

What’s Included

• All inclusive food & drink (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks. Soft/hot drinks and alcohol)
• All bedding & towels (pillow, sheets & duvet. Wash towel, hand towel, flannel and bath robe per person)
• Full crew
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket

What’s not included

• Waterproofs
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses

FAQ

• What COVID policies are in place for sailing with Fleur de Lys?

  Fleur de Lys is still running a Test & Sail Policy for the 2022 sailing season whether guests are vaccinated or not. Please refer to our COVID page for more information.

• Are all meals included?

  Yes - all meals and drinks are included in the price (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Hot Drinks, Alcohol)

• Are there any added extra's?

  No, unless you go ashore. Excursions are not included.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please ask at the time of booking.

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  2x twin cabins, 1x master double ensuite cabin

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  2 for guests.

• Are bedding and towels provided?

  Yes but please bring an extra towel if you wish to swim in the sea.

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you should easily be able to reach 3G/4G from the shore.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• Will I be sea sick?

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

Travel Planning

From: Mallaig

To: Mallaig

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

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PARKING

Mallaig offers limited long stay parking in a car park to the left on the Train Station as you drive into Mallaig. Alternatively try another long stay spot at 24 East Bay, Mallaig.

BY RAIL

You can travel by rail overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Fort William. Once in Fort William you can take The Jacobite Steam Train or the electric train direct to Mallaig. Mallaig station is then only a 5-10 minute walk to the harbour pontoons.

BY AIR:

Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport are best placed for access to Mallaig. From either of them take a train onto For William and then onto Mallaig which takes approximately 2-3hours. There are good links direct from the airport to the train and bus terminals for onward travel to Fort William.

STAY IN MALLAIG:

There are plenty of places to stay in Mallaig. Try Chlachain Inn, Seaview Guesthouse or West Highland Hotel.