Sailing the Hebrides

Join luxury yacht Skyelark on the West cost of Scotland for a sailing holiday to remember! Arriving into the harbour town of Oban is the best way to begin your adventure under sail and explore the enchanting coastline of the Hebrides.

LIFE AT SEA

Exactly where you explore with Skyelark will be decided by the wind and tides. Life at sea is never predictable but rest assured, an unforgettable adventure sailing holiday in the Hebrides will certainly be on the cards. The crew will share a rough itinerary based on the weather for your trip as you arrive and get settled in.

SETTING THE SAILS

Sailing with Skyelark 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. Skyelark is a modern yacht, fitted with all the mod cons, winches and navigations systems so there will be plenty of opportunities for admiring the views and wildlife watching.

RUGGED SCOTLAND

Once the sails are set, you’re on the way out of Oban for your adventure sailing holiday at sea. Perhaps explore the Small Isles, Skye or even further out to the Outer Hebrides where the pounding waves of the Atlantic create perfect white 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 places off the beaten track, 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 lover’s dream so have your binoculars at the ready. 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 swimming in the wake of the bow.

HUNGRY SAILORS

Each meal aboard Skyelark will be home-cooked using local ingredients where possible, resulting in the most delicious spread of food every evening. 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 in the luxury saloon or perhaps above decks under the stars.

Wherever the winds take you, there is certainly always somewhere magical to explore and sail in the Hebrides. Skyelark 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 the Hebrides as she glides through the Scottish seas.

There are currently no voyages scheduled. Please get in touch with the VentureSail team to find out what’s available, or if other upcoming voyages might be suitable.
Call us in the Office on 01872 487288 or email [email protected], and we will be happy to help you find your next adventure!

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Skyelark

Guest berths: 8 Rig: Sloop

Skyelark is a luxury Oyster 62 sailing yacht, built for elegance and speed whilst maintaining the utmost comfort for her guests both below decks and while under sail.

Designed and built as a competitive pedigree to match her beautifully drawn lines and sumptuous interior she has had many successes in ocean races and regattas.

Her sloop rig and modern design mean sailing with her can be done with just two people and she is an excellent boat to learn the ropes during your sailing holiday.

Below decks, private cabins are beautifully appointed and a well thought out layout means she is suitable for a variety of travellers; single sailors, couples or private charters of family or friends. Skyelark has a spacious saloon and a generous galley where the crew will prepare healthy and home-cooked meals after a days sailing. with full air conditioning, Webasto heating and quiet flush heads, staying abord Skyelark is more akin to a hotel than a boat!

On deck there is a large, safe and family-friendly cockpit, a lounging deck and transom seats. There is always somewhere comfortable to be, either for socialising or some quiet reflection.

A  removable bimini over the cockpit keeps the sun or the rain out, and if the weather is inclement at anchor, then a full cockpit enclosure keeps everyone snuggly warm, whilst maintaining the alfresco views.

Oyster 62’s are known to circumnavigate with young families on board or sail to the Arctic reaching 80 degrees north. Oyster 62 ‘s offer the perfect package of speed, elegance, luxury and easy, safe comfortable cruising – Skyelark is certainly one of the finest examples. She spends her summer sailing the UK, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with voyages around Scotland and the Hebrides before sailing winters in the Caribbean.

Take a look inside!

Deck plan

More about Skyelark

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 food and drink is included in your ticket price* *On 10 day Caribbean voyages, 4 meals (lunch or dinner) are to be eaten ashore to get the full Caribbean experience.

• Are there any added extra's?

  No, unless you go ashore. Excursions are not included.

• Are drinks included?

  Yes.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please ask at the time of 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?

  3x Twin, 1x Double and 1x VIP cabin if req.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  3 bathrooms, all with showers.

• Is there WIFI?

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

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• 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.

• Is bedding included?

  All bedding and wash towels are included. Please bring a swimming towel if you wish to swim ashore.

Travel Planning

From: Oban

To: Oban

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

PARKING

There is ample parking in Oban if you arrive by car. Secure parking can be found at MacQueen Bros, or you could try the Tesco carpark and pay for 24 hour parking on arrival using the Your Parking Space app.

BY RAIL

Oban station is a 5-10 minute walk from North Pier. Trains run 6 times a day to Glasgow Queen Street Station where there are good travel links to the rest of the UK.

BY AIR:

Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport both require taking a train from Oban which takes approximately 2-3hours. Flights go direct to Stansted Airport.

STAY IN OBAN:

There are plenty of places to stay in Oban. Try Witchwood House, The Scot or Perle Hotels Oban.