Short Break Sailing & Wildlife Watching in the Hebrides
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A short break sailing holiday in the Hebrides aboard modern yacht Stravaigin. Explore the west coast of Scotland under sail.
Explore the magic of the Hebrides on the west coast of Scotland with modern yacht Stravaigin on a short break sailing adventure. Join Stravaigin in the quaint harbour town of Oban as you prepare to discover the beauty of the Inner Hebrides under sail.
Perfect for beginners or those short on time, this weekend sailing adventure requires no previous experience. With born and bred Scottish skipper John on hand to show you the ropes and take you to the very best secluded anchorages, this is a short break with something genuinely different to offer.
- Skippered sailing
- Island hopping
- Wildlife watching
- Wild swimming and SUPs
- Full board included
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
Hebrides Short Break Aboard Modern Yacht Stravaigin
Oban → Isle of Mull → Morvern → Treshnish Isles → Small Isles
The coastline and islands of the west coast of Scotland offer extraordinary variation for sailors and explorers alike. Remote anchorages with castle ruin backdrops, uninhabited islands with only wildlife for company and miles of rugged coastline to explore; it’s easy to see why guests return year after year. The main focus of this short break is Mull and the Small Isles, with skipper John on hand to make the most of every tide and forecast.
John has lived and sailed in the Hebrides for many years and knows all the best spots well off the beaten track. Once aboard, he’ll have the latest weather forecast and a clear idea of what can be achieved over the short break ahead.
Island Hopping Around Mull and the Small Isles
Exactly where you explore will depend on the wind and weather, but with so many sheltered spots in the Hebrides there will always be somewhere new to discover. The Isle of Mull sits just off the coast from Oban and is renowned for its abundance of wildlife, endless walking trails and secluded anchorages. Across the Sound of Mull lies the remote Morvern peninsula, a wild and sparsely populated stretch of mainland with quiet anchorages and dramatic views back across to Mull, well worth exploring if the wind allows.
Further afield, the Treshnish Isles are well worth a visit. Staffa is home to the famous Fingal’s Cave, where giant basalt columns form a remarkable natural acoustic chamber you can explore by tender. Neighbouring Lunga is home to a resident puffin colony, and these friendly sea parrots are wonderfully inquisitive at close range. If conditions allow, the sails can be set further north towards the Small Isles, with their own remote anchorages and abundant wildlife on offer.
- Explore Mull, Morvern and the Treshnish Isles
- Visit Fingal’s Cave on Staffa by tender
- Get up close with the puffin colony on Lunga
- Quiet anchorages along the Morvern coastline
- Push north to the Small Isles if conditions allow
Wildlife Watching in the Hebrides
Wildlife watching on a short break in the Hebrides is a real treat. Black guillemots gather in their hundreds while white-tailed eagles soar along the rugged coastline. Sailing with Stravaigin regularly brings sightings of buzzards, kestrels, sparrowhawks and peregrines, and the sound of seabird colonies, puffins, guillemots and razorbills echoing off the cliffs is something quite unlike anything else.
In the water, common, bottlenose and white-beaked dolphins are frequent visitors to the bow, and with a little luck you may even spot a minke or humpback whale on the horizon.
- White-tailed eagles and seabird colonies
- Dolphins regularly spotted in the bow wake
- Possible minke and humpback whale sightings
- Puffins on Lunga at close range
- Skipper John is a trained snorkel instructor
Life Aboard Modern Yacht Stravaigin
Stravaigin is an old Scots word meaning to wander with no particular intent, and that spirit runs through every voyage she makes. She’s a warm, welcoming boat with three private double cabins sleeping up to six guests, a spacious saloon for dining and relaxing, and a well-equipped galley.
John cooks all meals from scratch using locally sourced produce, fresh seafood, organic meats and vegetables from the local islands, with bread and cakes from the Solace Bakery. Two paddleboards are available for exploring the coastline, and Stravaigin is fitted with solar panels and a wind generator to minimise her impact on the environment.
- Three private double cabins
- Locally sourced, home-cooked meals included
- Two paddleboards available on board
- Relaxed sailing, as hands-on as you like
- Solar panels and wind generator fitted
Things to note
Sailing vs Shore time
Do I need to take part in night watches?
Are there midges in Scotland?
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 not more than 12 miles offshore.
Stravaigin is an old Scots word meaning “to wander with no particular intent”
Meeting as strangers and departing as friends. Taking away memories to last forever and experiences that inspire and leave you wanting more.
Jump aboard Stravaigin to receive a truly warm Scottish welcome. Settle into your cabin, gather for a safety brief, explore your floating home for the week, and then enjoy some coffee and homemade cake.
Getting involved
Stravaigin requires no previous sailing experience, so you can sit back and enjoy the views, although the crew are more than happy to show you the ropes and even give you the helm if you’d like! She’s a great boat for learning to sail, with a modern winch system and a simple gaff rig.
Sleeping and Relaxation
Below decks, she has three double cabins with beds that lea cloths can separate for those travelling as friends or comfortable solo travellers. One double cabin has an ensuite bathroom, and the remaining two cabins share another bathroom located off the saloon area.
A comfortable, spacious saloon makes a great social space for eating, relaxing, and getting to know your fellow travellers. Stravaigin also strives to minimise her impact on the environment, so she is fitted with solar panels and a wind generator.
Dining Aboard
Each day, guests enjoy delicious, locally sourced food as John whips up a feast in the galley, featuring fresh seafood, organic meats and veggies from local islands, not to mention cakes and bread from the Solace Bakery. You’ll be well-fed, and all your hot drinks and meals are included in the ticket price.
Into the water
Skipper John is also a trained snorkel instructor, so if guests want to experience some truly refreshing wild swimming in Scotland, then do let him know as you board. There are also two paddleboards available for guests to explore the nooks and crannies of this fascinating coastline. Wetsuits are not available on board, so please bring your own if you would like. Waterproofs are available to hire; please let us know at the time of booking.
Stravaigin
Guest berths: 6 Rig: Bermudan Sloop
Stravaigin is an old Scots word meaning “to wander with no particular intent”. Her owner and skipper, John, says that this encapsulates his ethos of immersive adventures, exploring and discovering new landscapes, experiences, foods and cultures while creating meaningful experiences and memories that will last forever!
Stravaigin has a modern Bermudan sloop rig with winches and full navigation systems. If you have never sailed before and are looking to learn the ropes, skipper John loves to teach guests and get them involved with all aspects of sailing. Alternatively, she can be sailed single-handedly, so if you’re after a relaxing sailing holiday soaking in the sights and delights of the Hebrides, then that’s fine too!
From taster sailing weekends, guided wild swimming experiences and more adventurous voyages to the outer islands, Stravaigin suits all ages and abilities. Whether you’re travelling solo, or looking to meet like-minded travellers, an adventurous couple looking for something a little different or a group of family and friends looking for a unique private charter experience, sailing with John on Stravaigin is a great choice.
Below decks, Stravaigin has been well-considered and laid out for guests’ optimum comfort. A bright and airy saloon with a large table and TV screen sits next to the generous L-shaped galley, where guests can enjoy local cuisine and home-cooked meals. She has three private double-berth cabins, and two of the double-berth cabins can be separated with a lee-cloth for friends or comfortable solo travellers, and both bathrooms have a shower.
Skipper John also has a passion for sustainability and lessening the impact on the natural world. Stravaigin has a large solar panel array with a large battery bank, which means she can be sailed and operated using significantly less fuel. Sailing with her is an eco-friendly way to travel that minimises carbon emissions and pollution. It encourages a slower pace, allowing guests to appreciate the journey while promoting a deeper connection with nature and enabling exploration of secluded and protected environments.
Deck plan
More about Stravaigin
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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
