Sailing in the Outer Hebrides & St Kilda
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Sail the Outer Hebrides and reach the remote UNESCO World Heritage site of St Kilda aboard yacht Stravaigin.
Journey with Scottish yacht Stravaigin as she explores the magic of the Outer Hebrides and the remote UNESCO World Heritage site of St Kilda under sail. Join Stravaigin in Oban for a sailing adventure that takes you well off the beaten track, with longer passages at sea, fascinating geological landscapes and some of the most extraordinary wildlife watching in the UK.
This voyage is perfect for the adventure traveller looking to reach truly remote and historical locations under the guidance of an experienced local skipper.
- Skippered sailing
- Remote island exploration
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Wildlife watching
- Full board included
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
St Kilda Boat Trip Aboard Modern Yacht Stravaigin
Oban → Outer Hebrides → Eriskay → Barra → Mingulay → St Kilda
The Outer Hebrides offer some of the finest and most remote sailing grounds in the UK. With wild anchorages, fascinating geological landscapes and extraordinary wildlife watching opportunities, this is sailing at its most adventurous. The main focus of this voyage is to reach the far-flung archipelago of St Kilda, though the wind and weather will always have the final say. It is never a 100% guarantee that St Kilda will be reached, but rest assured, the Outer Hebrides offer a remarkable alternative if conditions don’t allow.
Stravaigin’s owner and skipper 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 picture of what to expect from the voyage ahead.
Islands Shrouded in Mystery: St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides
Lying out in the Atlantic, 45 miles west of the Outer Hebrides, St Kilda was once home to Britain’s most isolated community. It is the UK’s only site to hold UNESCO status for both its cultural and natural heritage, with human habitation dating back over 2,000 years to the Neolithic period. Uninhabited since the last residents were evacuated in the 1930s, its history, inaccessibility and extraordinary wildlife make it one of the most desirable destinations in the UK for anyone with a love of natural history and bucket-list adventures.
Explore the main island of Hirta with epic views across the other islands and sea stacks in the group, including Dun, Soay, Stac Lee, Boreray and Stac an Armin. Think white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters framed by stark rocky hills patched in purple heather, accessible only by sea.
If the weather doesn’t allow passage to St Kilda, the Outer Hebrides offer a wealth of equally remarkable islands to discover. Popular and remote anchorages include Eriskay, Barra Head, Mingulay, Vatersay, Taransay, Scarp and the Monach Islands, each offering rugged coastlines, fascinating archaeology and extraordinary flora and fauna to explore on foot.
- Reach the remote archipelago of St Kilda by sea
- Explore Hirta with views of Dun, Soay and Boreray
- Anchor at Mingulay, Eriskay and Barra Head
- Fascinating Neolithic and archaeological history ashore
- Remote anchorages only accessible by boat
Wildlife Watching in the Outer Hebrides
Wildlife watching on this voyage is extraordinary. 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 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, guillemots and razorbills off the cliffs
- Longer passages at sea for wildlife spotting
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 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
