“Hav bred ey”, islands at the edge of the sea – that is what the Vikings called the storm-battered Hebrides, which once formed part of their empire. Barely 80 of the more than 500 Hebridean islands are inhabited, and even then only sparsely. Aboard a traditional tall ship, we’ll explore this region, which delights all lovers of Scotland and offers an unrivalled holiday experience. We explore the archipelago around Islay and Mull whilst striking a balance between sailing time at sea, ample time for shore excursions and layovers in harbour or at anchor in a sheltered bay.

In Oban, our regular crew will welcome you on board. Boarding takes place at 7 pm. Over a welcome drink and dinner in the deck saloon, you’ll get to know the crew and your fellow passengers.

Heading for the islands of Mull and Islay

The time of departure from Oban depends on the tides. The 25 nautical miles to Tobermory make for a pleasant start to the trip. The coastal voyage takes us through the Sound of Mull, with the third-largest of the Hebrides – the island of the same name – on our port side. Perched on a steep cliff on the coast of Mull stands Duart Castle, the ancestral seat of the Maclean clan for 700 years. At the very northern tip of the island lies Tobermory, one of Scotland’s most beautiful harbour towns. The harbour front is a colourful sight – a landmark of the west coast and a picture-postcard idyll of colourful houses set in a semi-circular bay. It’s not just the many pubs that count among the main attractions of this charming village, but also the distillery and the Isle of Mull Museum. For over 150 years, Tobermory has been home to the ‘Mishnish’, a popular sailors’ haunt and the ‘best pub in town’. Our excursion tip: At the northern end of the village, follow the footpaths to the lighthouse at Ardmore Point.

Another destination on the voyage is Islay, the southernmost of the Hebrides. There, we’ll find a range of options for short excursions in the dinghy, followed by trips ashore, as well as sheltered bays where we can spend the night at anchor – a truly special experience on any sailing trip!

A tour of a whisky distillery

The itinerary includes a visit to a local whisky distillery. As guided tours are often only available by prior booking, please indicate in the ‘Your message to us’ field when making your non-binding trip reservation, or in the ‘Add a note to your order’ field when booking your trip, whether you would like to take part in a distillery tour and, if so, how many people will be joining you.

Good reasons to join this sailing trip

• 100 per cent Scotland: spectacular natural scenery in the Inner Hebrides sailing area
• Traditional sailing on a tall ship that’s over 100 years old – you can join in!
• A good balance between time at sea and varied shore leave
• Excellent onboard cuisine with delicious meals from morning to evening
• Our friendly crew know the area well from previous cruises
• Visit to a Scottish whisky distillery (optional / subject to weather conditions)

The times and ports mentioned are to be regarded as an illustrative and non-binding itinerary. The route described here may change at short notice depending on prevailing wind and weather conditions. The ship’s crew will decide on stopovers and the course of the voyage – wherever possible – whilst taking your preferences into account. This way, you will experience the cruise as a pleasant blend of adventure and comfort, of getting involved and simply enjoying yourself.

The weather in the Inner Hebrides sailing area is considered to be extremely changeable and varied; the locals speak of ‘four seasons in one day’. Even during the summer months, you should expect passing low-pressure systems, shifting winds and rainfall. The itinerary shown here is intended as a sample itinerary and may be subject to last-minute changes, depending on the prevailing wind direction.

In summer, temperatures rarely rise above 20 degrees. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate is mild but damp, and fog often rolls in. For this trip, it is advisable to bring good outdoor clothing.

• 7 nights on the traditional sailing ship Eye of the Wind.
• Accommodation in a comfortable double cabin (single cabin at extra cost, if available).
• Full board (incl. all meals; water / coffee / tea).
• Saloon with TV / DVD player and extensive on-board library.
• Hot and cold running water, shower and toilet in each cabin, bed linen, towels and air conditioning.

• Arrival and departure, shore excursions, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• We would be happy to arrange a reliable partner travel agency to help you plan your individual arrival and departure. Please contact us in good time if required.