Sail the Outer Hebrides & St Kilda Onboard the Flying Dutchman
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Explore the Outer Hebrides and UNESCO archipelago of St Kilda with traditional tall ship the Flying Dutchman.
Join tall ship the Flying Dutchman in the Scottish harbour town of Ullapool on the West Coast of Scotland. This adventure sailing holiday will see you follow in the footsteps of our Celtic ancestors to make the crossing to the ancient UNESCO heritage archipelago of St Kilda, exploring the Outer Hebrides along the way.
This voyage is perfect for those looking to explore hard-to-reach remote locations while discovering ancient history on land and experiencing traditional tall ship sailing.
- Fully crewed tall ship
- Traditional sailing
- Private ensuite cabins
- Longer passages at sea
- Half-board
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Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
YOUR SAILING AREA
OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND
The Outer Hebrides offers some of the most breath-taking and fascinating sailing grounds in the UK. One of our most popular sailing holiday destinations, the coasts and islands that make up the West Coast of Scotland offer so much variation for ours boats and guests, you will quickly see why our guests return year on year. Think remote anchorages where mountains run straight into the sea, miles of atmospheric landscapes, secret coves and uninhabited islands for walking trails ashore.
The main focus of this adventure sailing holiday is to reach the Outer Hebridean islands and as long as the weather is favourable, reach the far flung archipelago of St Kilda. The wind and weather will determine your route and destination so it is never 100% guarantee that St Kilda will be reached. The skipper and crew will have a better idea of what to expect from the weather as you board.
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Hop aboard the Flying Dutchman at 6pm and after an introduction to the crew, dinner will be served at 7pm where you can get to know your fellow guests. (If you are arriving into Ullapool earlier, just let the boat know and you can drop your luggage off and spend some time exploring.) The route will be entirely dependant on the wind direction so there is no fixed itinerary but below is an idea of what we would hope to achieve.
The Outer Hebrides
North Uist
North Uist features relatively flat topography, comprising predominantly of marshes and lakes that serve as vital habitats for rare bird species. Archaeological discoveries, including burial mounds, stone circles, and standing stones, are scattered throughout the island.
South Uist
Contrasting with North Uist, South Uist boasts a more diverse topography, with hills reaching heights of up to 600 meters. The eastern side of the island is characterised by rolling hills and dramatic coastlines, while the Atlantic side predominantly features pristine beaches.
Eriskay
Situated between South Uist and Barra, the island of Eriskay possesses land that is unsuitable for agriculture or cattle rearing. For centuries, the island’s inhabitants primarily relied on fishing as their main livelihood. Eriskay is also home to the indigenous horse breed known as “Eriskay Ponies.”
Barra
Located among the southernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides, Barra is renowned for its azure blue sea, white sandy beaches, and breathtaking vistas. Notably, Barra boasts the world’s only (tiny!) commercial airport where planes land and take off from the beach during low tide. Exploring one of Barra’s hills is highly recommended for a panoramic view of the island.
St Kilda
Our sailing adventure to St.Kilda continues as we stop over on the outer Hebrides on the islands of Harris and Lewis. The Southern part of the islands has deep bays and high mountains with the West side of Harris home to stunning beaches flanked with dunes Machair (a unique flowering part). We will anchor here as we prepare for a good weather crossing to St Kilda.
The UNESCO world heritage site is a volcanic archipelago, with its spectacular landscapes, comprises the islands of Hirta, Dun, Soay and Boreray. St.Kilda have some of the highest cliffs in Europe, which have large colonies of rare and endangered species of birds, especially puffins and gannets.
The archipelago has been uninhabited since 1930, but there are traces of more than 2000 years of human habitation. They contain the fragile remnants of a self-sufficient economy based on the products of birds, agriculture and sheep farming. On land, guests can walk through the abandoned village and take a more energetic climb to the edge of Britain’s steepest cliffs, past hundreds of small stone huts known as openings used to store the Guga. Rare Soay sheep roam here, a primitive breed of today’s domestic sheep.
Puffins, guillemots and auks all breed at this time of year. Get close to the caves and capture images! Seals are common, either sunning on rocks or fishing in the sound. Keen eyes can spot basking sharks and minke whales that come to feed in the plankton-rich waters of the western islands. Not to mention the eagles and deer that roam the sky and land.
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.
Life on board…
One of traditional sailing, sea-faring tales and breath-taking destinations, sailing with the Flying Dutchman is a far cry from its ancestral name. Although a traditionally rigged vessel with an authentic wooden boat feel throughout, the Flying Dutchman has been fitted as a charter vessel to a high, modern standard – providing guests with an authentic sailing experience while ensuring comfort and mod-cons are not forgotten.
Enjoy a balance of traditional sailing harnessing the power of the wind to spending time exploring ashore in hard to reach locations away from the tourist hustle and bustle.
Offering sailing tall ship holidays in Scotland and the Hebrides, the Flying Dutchman aims to give guests a traditional tall ship adventure. Family owned and operated, the Flying Dutchman is perfect for solo travellers, couples or older families looking for that classic tall ship experience making memories that will certainly last a life time.
Getting Involved
The crew encourage guests to get involved with all aspects of sailing this fascinating schooner. She is traditionally rigged but also has a winch system so can be sailed comfortably by the crew if guests simply want to put their feet up and enjoy the views! From hoisting the sails, basic rope-work and even some simple navigation skills, you can get involved as much or as little as you’d like. Once the sails are up you can enjoy the beauty of silently crossing the ocean using just the power of the wind.
Sleeping, eating and Relaxation
A designated chef ensures that you’re well fed and looked after after a day of sailing the Scottish Seas. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, soft and hot drinks are all included in the half board ticket price. Evening meals aboard are not included (unless you are tucked up in a secluded anchorage!) and this is done so that guests can experience true Scottish hospitality ashore and support the local economy while enjoying sustainable, local produce.
The main saloon is a generous space with plenty of portholes providing comfortable area with lots of natural light. A combination of sofas and tables make it a great communal area to get to know your fellow guests and enjoy meals inside. There is also a well-stocked bar within the saloon area too. She has ten ensuite twin cabins below decks and all cabins have air-conditioning or heating with all bedding and towels provided.
The rear deck is layered with wood, which emphasises the traditional atmosphere of the ship. On the main deck there are 3 different tables and couches to sit on, this area is covered to protect the guests from the rain. This offers the opportunity to stay outside and eat your dinner under the stars.
Flying Dutchman
Guest berths: 24 Rig: Schooner
The Flying Dutchman has a vast 480m² sail area to propel her through the water. The experienced crew will take care of everything aboard; however, if guests wish, they are welcome to join the crew, hoisting the sails or taking the helm. She’s perfect for solo travellers and couples of all ages and abilities.
The main saloon is a generous space with plenty of portholes providing a comfortable area with lots of natural light. A combination of sofas and tables makes it a great communal space to get to know your fellow guests and enjoy meals inside. There is also a well-stocked bar within the saloon area. Below decks, there are ten ensuite cabins for guests with bunk beds, all with heating and air-conditioning.
On the main deck, there are three different tables and couches to sit on; this area is covered to protect the guests from the rain. This offers the opportunity to stay outside and eat your dinner under the stars.
Deck plan
Berths on board
Single berth in shared Twin Cabin Ensuite: The Standard twin bunk cabin has two single berths, one above the other, and an ensuite.
Single berth in shared Twin Plus Ensuite Cabin: The Plus twin bunk cabin has two single berths, one above the other, and an ensuite. The Plus cabin is slightly larger than the Standard cabin, offering more floor space. Ideal for solo travellers sharing.
Twin Cabin Ensuite (solo occupancy): The Standard twin bunk cabin has two single berths, one above the other, and an ensuite. This is a private option for solo travellers who would like their own cabin.
More about Flying DutchmanMore holidays in Scotland or Scotland - St Kilda
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Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
