Sail and Explore Scotland’s Skye & the Small Isles
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Sail with Steady from Oban to Ullapool as she explores the Isle of Skye and the lochs of this beautiful Scottish coastline.
Join yacht Steady on the West coast of Scotland for an adventure sailing holiday exploring the Hebrides. Set sail from the port town of Oban as you make the most of the wind and sail to discover the Isle of Skye before finishing in the port of Ullapool.
Steady will show you the hidden side of Skye with remote anchorages in secluded bays from the water, with the chance to explore ashore on foot. Relax in sheltered anchorages and watch picturesque sunsets, and if we are blessed with dark skies, the stargazing from the deck is breathtaking. With little pollution, sailing in the Hebrides has some of the best opportunities for stargazing in the country.
- Skippered sailing
- Remote island exploration
- Private cabins
- Great for couples & solo travellers
- Full board
- Wildlife watching
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
The Hebrides, Scotland
The exact itinerary is dependent on the wind and tides, but our crew know all the hotspots off the beaten track and the best places to anchor under the stars. As you board Steady and get familiar with your floating home for the week, the crew will have a better idea of where you might sail.
Sailing from Oban, Steady will set the sails towards the Small Isles and the Isle of Skye and onto Ullapool. Staying close to the coast as she sails, Steady will explore the numerous lochs that form this beautiful part of the Scottish coast, finding picturesque anchorages in sheltered waters.
The Isle of Skye is a truly magical place. The largest island of the Inner Hebrides, Skye, is home to some of Scotland’s most famous landscapes. This island will inspire you in many ways, with its stunning mountain chains and miles of coastline to discover.
Rugged landscapes, fairy tale castles, sleepy fishing villages, the stunning backdrop of the Cuillins mountain range or the impressive outcrop of Storr – the Isle of Skye certainly has it all. Nestled at the foot of the Cuillins lies a magnificent sea loch – Loch Scavaig, which makes for a breathtaking backdrop for anchoring. Skye is an adventure traveller’s paradise, and discovering this island from the water gives endless anchorages and shores to explore.
The Small Isles are an archipelago of geological wonder, sitting north of Mull and consisting of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck. All come with a multitude of remote anchorages and opportunities to explore the shorelines or walk into the hills for more breathtaking viewpoints and abundant wildlife watching.
Discover the sweet 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 its distinctive ridge named the Sgùrr of Eigg. For those who like a good day of walking, the climb to the top of the ridge offers fantastic views over the Small Isles and across to Skye. Just 5 miles in length with one single road, Eigg boasts to be the only fully sustainable island in the Hebrides with its electric grid! 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.
WILDLIFE WATCHING
Sightings of seabirds such as Black Guillemots can be seen in their hundreds, and white-tailed eagles soar along the rugged coastline. Sailing on Steady is often rewarded with widespread sightings of birds of prey like Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawks and Peregrines, and, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot the diminutive Merlin. The sound is magnificently overwhelming, with the call of seabird colonies, Puffins, Guillemots & Razorbills, echoing off the cliffs.
There are frequent encounters with Common, Bottlenose & Whitebeak dolphins on board these trips, and Risso & White-sided dolphins are also occasionally sighted. 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. So keep your eyes peeled and have your binoculars at the ready!
Things to note
Sailing vs shoretime
Nightwatches?
Will there be Mosquitos?
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 no more than 12 miles offshore.
Owned and skippered by husband and wife team Marielle and Jan-Willem, sailing with Steady is a relaxed and inspiring way to explore the Hebrides. With a real passion for nature, the landscape and living well, Marielle and Jan-Willem love to share their love of Scotland with their guests.
GETTING INVOLVED
Jan-Willem and Marielle can sail Steady comfortably on their own, but they invite and encourage guests to take part in all aspects of sailing. From taking the helm, sorting and setting the sails, basic navigation and rope work, Jan-Willem and Marielle provide a safe and supported environment for guests.
A Typical Day
The day starts with a hearty and wholesome breakfast to get ready for a day of sailing. Below decks, everything is cleared, and above deck, the sheets and sails are prepared before you get underway. Departure is around 9.30 am to make the most of the day. The skippers often have a destination in mind, but the weather will influence the decision, so they never guarantee an itinerary. As with all our fleet, the sails are used as much as possible, so Steady will go where the wind takes her.
Usually, lunch will be enjoyed outside when under sail and in good weather. You will then spend the evening and night in a calm anchorage. Being close to shore means you’ll be able to be dropped off by dinghy to stretch your legs and spend some time exploring the diverse landscape that the Hebrides have to offer.
The number of hours of sailing can vary between 4 and 7 hours a day, so you’ll be sure to work up an appetite ready for dinner to be served at around 7 p.m. The evenings are relaxed, with time to chat with new friends or find a quiet spot on board with your book.
Sleeping and Relaxation
Whatever the weather, it is wonderful to be out on the sea. Enjoy the beautiful views and the clean air that fills your lungs – not to mention the exhilaration of seeing Steady’s full rig being filled by the wind. Steady has a spacious deckhouse with views in all directions, so you can still enjoy the surroundings when the weather isn’t behaving. Below decks, there is a spacious, modern, fitted galley with a generous sofa area, dining table, and multi-fuel stove to keep out the evening chill.
After a full day in the open air, you can sleep peacefully in our cosy and comfortable private cabins, ready for a new day of seafaring adventure. There is a full-size domestic shower and a separate toilet for guests to use too.
Dining Aboard
Both Jan-Willem and Mariëlle love good food and cooking. The menu includes meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. Throughout the day, guests are offered coffee & tea and soft drinks to keep hydrated in the salty sea air.
Breakfast is varied each day, often including bread, cheeses, jams and spreads in addition to yoghurt and porridge or granola – sometimes there are boiled eggs, or fried bacon and eggs on offer if you’re doing a longer sailing day.
Lunch is a relaxed affair on deck, usually consisting of soup or salad, served with a selection of different breads. Examples include pumpkin, tomato or lentil soup, fish chowders, tuna salad or couscous salads; all made with the finest fresh produce.
Dinner is heartier, really filling you up after a day in the fresh air. It’s really varied but uses the best ingredients and draws on cuisines from around the globe, from Moroccan lamb stew to a simple lasagne to an authentic chicken curry made with fresh herbs and spices. Sometimes, if the skipper has bought some fresh fish, it’ll be barbecued up on deck. Dinner is always served with a selection of vegetables or salad.
There is, of course, dessert, which includes Greek yoghurt with fresh fruit, a selection of ice creams or simply coffee and chocolates.
Sample menu
All food is freshly prepared on board using locally sourced produce as much as possible. Please note that this is an example of what you may be served.
BREAKFAST
- Scottish Porridge
- Fresh fruit, yoghurt
- Toast and preserves
- Eggs (how you like them!)
LUNCH
- Homemade pumpkin soup with naan bread
- Fish soup served with a canapé with smoked salmon
- Tuna salad with bread
DINNER
Appetisers: toast with different cheeses, nuts, olives
Mains
- Mussels from the Isle of Mull, served with bread, potatoes and mixed salad
- Lamb stew served with couscous salad and green beans
- Crispy-skinned salmon, served with sweet potatoes, bimi, salad and homemade mayonnaise
- BBQ with meat from Kerrera Balliemore Farm, served with baked potatoes, salad and fresh vegetables
- Pumpkin curry, Jack fruit with coleslaw (V)
DESSERT
- Homemade chocolate mousse and cream
- Homemade cheesecake with lemon sorbet
- Crepe with ice cream, fruit and chocolate sauce
After dinner, coffee/tea with chocolate or bonbons
Steady
Guest berths: 8 Rig: Staysail Ketch
Onboard Steady, most guests like to lend a hand with the sailing, and Jan-Willem and Mariëlle are excellent guides if you do want to get involved. They cater for all abilities and ages, so if you’d rather sit back and relax with a book, then that’s fine too! She has a modern rig and simple winch system, so she is a great boat to learn the ropes.
Steady’s voyages explore the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides and St Kilda; an area of unspoilt wilderness and breathtaking beauty in the Western Isles of Scotland. Her sailing adventures give you access to the most captivating and remote hidden secrets of this incredible and beautiful place. As you sail through this stunning marine landscape, you will likely be lucky enough to experience close encounters with rare wildlife and have time to soak up the unique and fascinating history and culture of the Hebrides and St Kilda.
Steady is true to her name, with a sturdy steel hull, and was initially built as a charter vessel, offering a considered layout below decks. Fitted with all the mod-cons and keeping guests’ comfort at the forefront, she sleeps eight guests in four comfortable twin cabins, with a shared shower and separate toilet. The galley and saloon area lives at the heart of the boat with a peninsula galley and plenty of seating alongside the cosy multi-fuel stove.
On the deck level, there’s a spacious cockpit with a navigation station and more seating, perfect for breakfast and morning coffee as the sun rises. There’s plenty of room on deck, too, to take in the surrounding views and learn the ropes alongside Jan-Willem and Mariëlle, who love sharing their passion for Scotland, the environment and nature with their guests.
Deck plan
More about Steady
More holidays in Scotland
Ardnamurchan Explorer: Sailing the Western Edge of Scotland
Sailing the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen Way
Sailing holiday in the Outer Hebrides and Jura
Scottish Short Break Sailing the Firth of Clyde
More holidays on Steady
Sailing the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen Way
Sailing the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen Way
Guided Sailing & Walking Holiday in Scotland: Mull and the Small Isles
Remote Islands & Wonderful Wildlife: Sailing the Hebrides
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
