Enjoy the freedom of Scotland’s Hebrides on a pioneering private sea safari to stir the soul. Spend your days island-hopping through the Hebrides as you journey up Scotland’s West Coast, meeting remarkable people and immersing yourself in its wildlife and landscapes. Each night gourmet dining and a warm bed in a private luxury tented camp await your arrival.
Scotland’s Hebridean Islands conjure up images of remote and rugged castles, teeming seabird colonies, shafts of light playing across sea stack and moor; a glass of single malt, laughter, music and great conversation by the fire.
This sea safari combines the service of a luxury castle hotel with days and nights in the wilds of the Hebridean islands. Each day brings new islands to explore: from the wild majesty of Jura to the lofty crags of Skye, stopping off to enjoy a chilled Chablis and picnic on a remote white-sand beach or count guillemots and puffins nesting on magnificent seabird cliffs. Learn about the ancient Celtic seaways from clan heads and historians, be inspired by local artists and marine conservationists, and hike some of Scotland’s most magnificent peaks.
While you are out exploring, a team will travel ahead of you to prepare your night’s accommodation under canvas in a luxury tented camp. Beds will be made, rugs laid, lamps and hot water prepared for a much-needed shower. Positioned in unique and remote locations, your camp is the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience prepared by your private chef before enjoying a well-earned night’s sleep under the stars. Breakfast is already being cooked when you rise the following morning for the next leg of your seaward journey.
A journey we recommend might see you beginning on the Ayrshire coast cosseted among the ancient turrets of Glenapp Castle, one of Britain’s leading castle retreats. Then, embarking on your sea safari, sail up the Sound of Jura past ancient monasteries to the north coast of Jura – your base for the next two nights. From here, explore Scarba in ATVs and shoot the Corryvreckan whirlpool en route to tea with the Laird of Colonsay.
Continuing north, call in at one of Europe’s earliest Christian monasteries on Iona, be humbled by the remarkable basalt formations of Fingal’s Cave on Staffa and marvel at the puffin colonies on Lunga, before making landfall on Eigg in the Small Isles for the next three nights. Meet the resident poets, musicians and artists in this thriving Hebridean community, stalk red deer on Rhum in season, and gain a thrilling aerial perspective of the Hebrides from a helicopter. We’ve also included a free day which you can use to head across to Skye for a walk in the dramatic Cuillin Mountains, cast a line for wild sea bass for dinner that night, or zip across to Barra for a long lobster lunch, keeping an eye out for migrating orcas, dolphins and basking sharks.
No trip to Scotland is complete without sampling the water of life, and sailing across to the west coast of Skye, you’ll be met by the master distiller of Talisker for a private ‘wee dram’ or two at this legendary whisky distillery. Continuing to Dunvegan Castle, seat of the ancient MacLeod clan, for the last night of your cruise, you’ll enjoy a special dinner hosted by the current clan head and be regaled with stories about its 800 turbulent years of history.
Your journey ends back on the mainland beneath the imposing peaks of Torridon, where the wonderful Torridon Hotel is your welcoming retreat for two nights – just the place to relax and relive the sights and sounds of your recent adventure.
It is for you to decide on the emphasis and route of your trip. You may have a special interest in remote island castle gardens, clan history or Neolithic archaeology, in which case we will bring in experts to join you and enrich your understanding. Perhaps long ago you had ancestors who lived in the Hebrides and you would like to discover their history, or you’ve always had a desire to visit the world’s largest gannet colony on magnificently remote St Kilda? Let us know what stories and places you would like to weave into your sea safari, and we will incorporate them.
