Sailing & Exploring the Hebrides

Your adventure sailing holiday aboard Pellew will begin in the seaside town of Mallaig, a traditional working fishing harbour situated on the stunning west coast of Scotland.

Prepare for a trip of a lifetime immersed in one of the most ruggedly beautiful places on the planet. You’ll be discovering secret places on sandy shores, spotting wildlife from Pellew’s as she cuts through the waves and sampling the finest local food that the Hebrides has to offer.

Life at Sea

Exactly where you explore with Pellew will be decided by the whims of the wind and tide. Life at sea is never predictable but rest assured, an unforgettable adventure sailing holiday will certainly be in store. The skipper and crew will share a tailored itinerary based on the weather for your trip, as you enjoy tea and homemade cake on arrival.

Setting the Sails

Sailing on Pellew as a guest can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you like, but we think part of the fun of a sailing holiday is to get as involved as you can. The crew will guide you in exactly what to do, even if you’ve never stepped foot on a boat before. 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.

Rugged Scotland

Once the sails are set, you’re on the way out of Mallaig for your adventure sailing holiday at sea. Some spectacular scenery is in store as you explore The Small Isles, Skye or perhaps venture further to the Outer Hebrides where the pounding waves of the Atlantic create perfect white sandy beaches. From the high basalt cliffs of Canna to the quiet seclusion of Loch Scavaig on Skye, nothing quite prepares you for the spellbinding beauty of this part of the world. There’ll also be plenty of opportunities to explore secret spots ashore far away from the tourist hustle and bustle.

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!

Hungry Sailors

Aboard Pellew, each meal during your sailing holiday will be home-cooked using local ingredients where possible, resulting in the most delicious spread of food every evening – think seafood that’s been caught half an hour ago, local meats and cheeses from various island producers, plus homemade bread and condiments. All dietary requirements are catered for and you don’t even have to worry about washing up, as the crew take care of that too while you unwind by sampling some specially selected local spirits. The Hebrides are famed for their whiskey distilleries but gin is having its moment too, with craft stills using coastal botanicals popping up in even the most remote of places.

Wherever the winds take you, there is certainly always somewhere magical to explore and sail in the Hebrides. Pellew provides the perfect base for that adventure sailing holiday of a lifetime. Perfect for solo travellers, couples and even available for private charter, jump aboard and feel the magic of this beautiful vessel as she glides through the Scottish seas.

As with all Pellew’s sailing holidays, your ticket price includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks and Drinks. Bunk berths are in the spacious shared fore peak 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 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

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.

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?

  Yes, please let us know when making your 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?

  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.