UK Sailing Mile Builder: Liverpool to Scotland
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Sail from Liverpool to Scotland with tall ship Blue Clipper. This voyage is perfect for those looking to spend more time on the open water with a hands-on tall ship sailing experience.
Join Blue Clipper in the port city of Liverpool as she makes her journey up to Scotland. This voyage is the perfect opportunity to tuck some sea miles under your belt and taste life on the open water on board a traditionally rigged tall ship.
This is a wonderful way to travel the coast of the UK with longer hours under sail. Exactly where you stop over, and the anchor will entirely depend on the weather forecast, but your skipper will brief you on what to expect as you board.
- Fully crewed tall ship
- Longer passages at sea
- Hands-on experience
- En-suite cabins
- Traditional tall ship
- Open water Sailing
- Full Board
- Mile builder
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Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
Liverpool to Scotland
Leaving the city skyline on the horizon, you’ll get stuck into life aboard straight away, hoisting the sails with the crew and planning your course through St George’s channel. This voyage will offer great opportunities to take the night watch (with a crew member, of course!) and to sail under the stars, gently swaying to the rhythms of sailing at night. There’s a great sense of peace as the ship settles down for the evening, and your eyes become adjusted to the night sky with little light pollution from land – it’s a spectacular sight on a clear night.
This voyage will see mainly open water sailing both by day and possibly by night as we sail to reach our destination of Oban in the Hebrides while making the best of the weather. The weather and tides will dictate harbour calls and anchorages, but we might stop on the Isle of Man and the island of Jura.
Expedition Sailing
During this tall ship sailing to the Inner Hebrides, you will develop a love of sailing, and the best way to make a start on any boat is to feel you are a vital and competent part of the crew. We will teach you the seamanship skills of steering, setting sails, reefing, and tying knots with conviction! The skills you learn will be relevant for modern yachts, but you should also feel at home on traditional boats and tall ships with blocks and tackles. This is a passage trip where guests have the option to become part of the watch system, but this is not essential as there are plenty of crew on board to manage some of the night sailing that is needed to cover the many miles from Cornwall to Scotland.
There is a whole new language to learn, and by the end of the week, you won’t be fazed by terms like sheet, fender, windlass or ‘bear away’ and all the things that make going onboard a tall ship a bit bewildering. This adventure will require some full days at sea and maybe some overnight sailing if the weather dictates. Ideally, this adventure is for those with some previous time on board a boat or those who want to increase their miles at sea.
Things to note
Sailing vs Shoretime
Do I need to take part in night- watches?
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.
Sailing with tall ship Blue Clipper is certainly an enjoyable, hands-on experience and guests are encouraged to get involved with all aspects of sailing this magnificent tall ship. Spending her summers exploring Scotland and the Hebrides and her winters sailing in the Caribbean, Blue Clipper is the perfect tall ship experience.
Getting involved
From hoisting the sails to taking the helm, the friendly and knowledgeable crew always shows you the ropes. Part of the beauty of sailing with such a magnificent vessel is the opportunity to get involved in a safe and supported environment! The permanent crew are all professionally trained, so as much as guest involvement is encouraged, if you just want to sit back and take in the view or are concerned about your physical ability to hoist ropes, there are plenty of other boat jobs such as coiling ropes, preparing lines and keeping watch! For those more adventurous, climbing the rigging or the bowsprit can also be a great experience.
Dining aboard
For her coastal voyages, Blue Clipper has a dedicated chef on board, too, so you don’t have to worry about cooking after a day of sailing in the salty sea air. Think locally sourced produce, fresh fish, homemade bread with hearty home-cooked meals, and plenty of tea, coffee, and cake!
For her expedition and Atlantic crossings, there will be a boat cook on board.
Sleeping and relaxation
Below decks, Blue Clipper has a large, comfy saloon perfect for sharing sea-faring tales, hearty home-cooked meals or even a game of cards! Rest up after a day of adventure in your spacious private en-suite cabin. With twin bunks, sailing with Blue Clipper is undoubtedly one of comfort and is the perfect choice for couples or solo travellers.
Blue Clipper has two kayaks and paddleboards on board, which guests are welcome to use to explore the nooks and crannies of the coast! There is no extra charge for this, and buoyancy vests are also provided.
A Typical Day
On her coastal voyages, a typical day starts with a good, hearty breakfast before preparing the boat to hoist the sails. Once the sails are set to the next destination, there will be time to relax, read a book, chat to your fellow travellers or simply find a quiet corner and take in the view. Lunch will likely be served underway or at the next anchorage as you spend your afternoons exploring ashore.
Generally, on her expedition crossings and longer voyages, she will spend more time under sail. The day will still be punctuated by regular meal times, and there will likely be a watch system running throughout the voyage as she sails through the night. Stargazing on these longer voyages is spectacular with no light pollution and a complete view of the horizon.
Sample menu
All food is made on board, and local, fresh produce is at the top of the shopping list. Please note that this is an example of what you may be served.
BREAKFAST
- Poached/scrambled eggs, bacon, vine tomatoes, mushrooms
- French toast, bacon, maple syrup
- Porridge, fruit selection
- Toast, preserves and cereal selection
- Tea, fresh coffee and fresh fruit juice
AFTERNOON CAKE
- Tea, coffee, home-made cakes, scones, jam and cream, shortbreads
LUNCH
- Spinach and ricotta tortellini, blue cheese sauce and cherry tomatoes
- Open sandwiches, salad, and crisps
- Cous cous salad, goat’s cheese, roasted red pepper
- Wild mushroom risotto with rocket and herb oil
- Fish goujons, new potatoes, tartar and salad garnish
DINNER
- Starters: Tomato bruschetta, Ardennes pate, salt-baked beetroot, curry aioli, gremolata sesame praline, hot-smoked salmon crostini
- Fillet of coley, crushed new potatoes, asparagus, beurre blanc, dill mayo
- Pork belly, maple-glazed celeriac, turmeric curr, rice and salsa, basil pesto
- Roast chicken thigh, sauteed new potatoes, squash puree, braised carrots, kale, red wine jus
- Spiced bean stew, rocket, herb oil
- Chicken breast, celeriac puree, mash, parma ham crisp, miso mayo
Dessert
- Coffee and cake
- Cheeseboard
Blue Clipper
Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff Schooner
Tall ship Blue Clipper has spent many years sailing all over the world and currently spends her summers sailing Scotland and the Hebrides, her autumn months heading south to Spain and Portugal, then setting sail across the Atlantic for some winter sun in the Caribbean.
Built in Sweden in 1991, tall ship Blue Clipper is an impressive three-masted gaff rig schooner. With a clipper bow, original teak deck and elegant stern, she mixes a traditional tall ship feel with a relatively modern build, giving guests an authentic experience with all the mod cons.
On deck, she boasts ample space for her guests to become fully immersed in hands-on sailing, heaving the ropes, hoisting the sails, learning ropes skills, and even taking the helm. She has three kayaks and three paddle boards for guest use while on anchor, so you can explore even further inshore.
She offers voyages to suit all ages and abilities. From taster sailing breaks to week-long explorations in the Hebrides, she also takes those looking for something a little more adventurous across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. From the mystical, moody Scotland to the warm winter sun in the Caribbean, the crew aboard are on permanent rotation, so you’ll be in safe hands whichever voyage you choose.
A spacious saloon, wheelhouse and galley also sit at deck level, while below decks have been well-considered with six spacious ensuite cabins. All cabins have full-size bunks, a small desk, a porthole for natural light and heating/air conditioning.
Deck plan
More about Blue Clipper
More holidays in Scotland
Remote Scotland: Outer Hebrides & St Kilda Tall Ship Explorer
Guided Sailing & Walking Holiday in Skye and the Small Isles
Remote Islands & Wonderful Wildlife: Sailing the Hebrides
Expedition Sailing from the Faroe Islands to Scotland
More holidays on Blue Clipper
Tall Ship Sailing in Antigua, Caribbean
Atlantic Expedition Sailing Holiday to the Azores
Tall Ship Sailing Holiday in Cornwall
Offshore Atlantic Sailing from the Azores to The UK – Leg 2
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
