Sailing & Exploring Mull

Your Sailing Area

Mull, Scotland

The Isle of Mull is renowned for its abundant wildlife and is the second largest island in the inner Hebrides. Home to the iconic waterfront town of Tobermory where colourful houses line the waterfront, life on Mull is a relaxed and friendly affair. The neighbouring uninhabited island of Lunga makes for a great anchorage to hop ashore and nestle down with the friendly faced sea-parrots (puffins!). Perhaps spot some dolphins in the wake of the bow as you enjoy some sheltered sailing between Mull and the Treshnish Isles – perfect for remote anchorages far away from the inhabited islands!

Pellew is a modern replica of a traditional wooden Pilot Cutter, a specific type of classic sailing boat designed to deliver specialised crew quickly to larger ships coming into port, whose own captains may have not had the knowledge to navigate treacherous waters that the local skippers knew so well. Due to this historic need for a rapid response, Pellew is designed for speed and agility – so getting involved with hoisting sails, taking the helm and being on hand to tack can offer a truly exhilarating sailing experience.

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Rugged Scotland

Aside from Mull, one of our personal favourite spots in the inner Hebrides is the small island Iona just off the West tip of Mull. Boasting ultimate tranquility, blue lagoons and sandy beaches, the island measures only 1.5 x 3 miles. It’s a great place to anchor and take a walk ashore as you keep your eyes peeled for oystercatchers, sandpipers, redshanks, plovers, curlews, greylag geese and the endangered corncrake.

THE TRESHNISH ISLES

The Treshnish Isles are a small cluster of islands and skerries nestled off the West coast of Mull. An important area for marine animals and breeding seabirds, the islands are part of a Special Area of Conservation. The island of Lunga is home to a large puffin colony, where you can sit ashore within metres of the friendly faced creatures. The island of Staffa is home of the famous geological wonder of Fingal’s cave where guests can take the tender to get off and explore the impressive basalt columns.

Wonderful Wildlife Encounters

From stags to sea otters, a sailing holiday in the West Coast of Scotland is a wildlife seeker’s dream so remember to bring your binoculars and your guidebook. You’ll most likely encounter huge sea eagles in the Small Isles and see hundreds of species of sea birds with the chance to get friendly with wild puffins when you go ashore – they’re very inquisitive and always come to say hello. Whales and the odd Orca are also sighted on occasion, but it’d be an unusual trip if you didn’t see bottlenose dolphins or porpoises at least once!

All voyages for Pellew

Pellew

Guest berths: 8 Rig: Pilot Cutter

Pellew is a faithful recreation of the Falmouth Pilot Cutter Vincent, originally built in 1852 and based in St Mawes she was a familiar sight on the Fal estuary for 70 years, eventually retiring from service in 1922. Today, the spirit of tradition lives on and Pellew is strongly built to sail the oceans of the world with her guests travelling in utmost comfort and safety.

Originally designed and built for speed and seaworthiness, these sturdy vessels would carry pilots out to sea, meeting ocean-going ships arriving with cargos bound for Europe. Whatever the weather and however rough the seas these courageous cutters were an integral part of maritime life in the south-west of England.

With her vast sail plan, think fast, invigorating sailing with the lee rail kissing the waves, Pellew is certainly not for the faint-hearted. So if you are looking for that next adventure at sea on a beautifully powerful wooden vessel, then Pellew is the boat for you.

Below decks, you are welcomed into a cosy saloon with cushioned seating around a large table and a generous galley. Delectable home-cooked meals will be freshly-prepared on board by our dedicated cook using locally sourced produce wherever possible. The 8 guest berths are arranged around an open-plan cabin with a shower and two toilets for guest use.

She is oak framed throughout and planked with locally sourced Douglas fir mast and spars. Although she is tiller steered, she does have two large electric capstan winches to help get the sails up and in. Guests are welcomed and invited to get involved in the sailing of Pellew. In fact, it will be hard not to want to feel first hand, the power of this beautiful boat as glides seemingly effortlessly through the water.

She will usually sail with a skipper, mate and dedicated cook, with a fourth crew member joining for longer voyages. She will be spending her sailing season exploring the coasts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the Channel Islands, the Breton Coast and exploring the majestic isles of the Scottish Hebrides.

More about Pellew

Life on board Pellew

Pellew is one of the fastest pilot cutters of her time so a lust for adventure is certainly a must and sailing with her is not for the faint-hearted! You don’t need any experience to join her as the friendly and professional crew are always on-hand to show you the ropes.

You’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals and the crew love to share their knowledge with guests, showing them the ropes and feeling the wind power in the sails. They welcome as much or as little participation as you want – from pulling up sails, sheeting in and steering, and even navigation.

A typical Day

Normally, after breakfast, Pellew will set sail for a day on the water aiming to reach a new destination every evening. We enjoy searching out quiet anchorages and hidden coves where we can spend the afternoon exploring ashore and the night enjoying the company, the stars and of course, our freshly cooked evening meal.

All food will be freshly-prepared onboard to the highest standard by a dedicated cook so guests can expect hearty breakfasts, freshly baked bread, delicious lunches and dinners, as well as plenty of home-made cake!

Sleeping and Relaxation

You are welcomed into the main saloon with cushioned seating around a large table next to a generous galley. It’s a great sociable space with the traditionally built wooden finish giving a lovely cosy feeling.

In the fore, there are 8 guest berths in an open-plan cabin with each berth in twin bunk arrangements. She has a generous (for a boat!) shower room and two toilets for guest use.

 

Sample Menu for Pellew

All food is made on board (including soda & focaccia bread when we cant get artisan loaves!) and local, fresh produce is top of the shopping list. When we are sailing in Scotland, we try to rendezvous with the local fishermen to get local smoked salmon, kippers and langoustine.

Breakfast

• Fresh fruit bowls
• Yoghurt, muesli & granola
• Artisan or home-made bread & jams
• Cooked breakfast (approx twice on a week-long trip!)

Elevenses/Afternoon Cake

• Tea, coffee, home-made cakes, biscuit, flapjack

Lunch

• Home-made soup, bread and local cheeses
• Risotto and fresh salad
• Home-made savoury tarts and fresh salad

Dinner

• Appetisers; usually a combination of olives, home-made pate and toast, anti-pasti, hummus, crudites and baked camembert
• Greek style roast lamb with cous cous. (V) option; stuffed peppers
• Spanish fish soup with garlic bread
• In Scotland; Haggis, neaps, tatties. (V) option available

Dessert

• Tiramisu
• Home-made meringue with boozy berries
• Chocolate brownies and clotted cream

There is also a huge fruit bowl that guests can help themselves to throughout the voyage!

What’s included 

• All inclusive (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, soft/hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet)
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• There are off-shore jackets available for guests when sailing but please bring your own waterproof for time ashore.

What’s not included

• Wash and/or swim towel
• Alcohol
• 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

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 not be more than 12miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals on board are included in the price. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and hot drinks) Alcohol is not included.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Meat eaters and vegetarians only please!

• 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?

  Shared quarters, 8 berths in the open fore cabin with easy access to a toilet

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  2 toilets, 1 shower for guests

• Are bedding and towels provided?

  All bedding is but please bring your own towels.

• Is there an age limit?

  Preferably over 12's accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 ratio but please check with us in the office as each voyage is different.

• Is there WIFI?

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

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, each bunk has a 12v USB charger

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  There are off-shore jackets available for guests when sailing but please bring your own waterproof for time ashore.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure and a want to get actively involved.

• 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.