Scottish Island ADVENTURE - by sea

Cetaceans, thousands of seabirds, and glorious Hebridean scenery……
Thursday 18 June – Thursday 25 June 2009

PRICE: £1695pp SHARED CABINS. DEPOSIT: £300 per person. LEADER: Dave Pullan

This eight-day, multi-island tour is a fabulous adventure through the diverse birdlife, sealife, flora and local history of some of Scotland’s most desirable island destinations. With machair grasslands in full bloom, Corncrake rasping, Basking Shark, Minke Whale, Common and Grey Seals around the white sandy shorelines, both Eagles over the higher peaks and a fabulous visit to the lonely Shiants where we seek the relic British population of Black Rat, this holiday is a wonderful celebration of Scottish island wildlife. The islands also hold a wide variety of interesting and rare flora, including Hebridean orchid species and sub-species.

Our vessel will be the MV Elizabeth G, a 68ft purpose-built luxury liveaboard for 12 guests plus crew. ‘Purpose-built liveaboard’ means she was specifically designed with passenger comfort and safety in mind, from her light and bright accommodation and "silent run" generator to her stabilisers and choice of two saloons.

We sail from Oban, travelling south-west to Iona. The grassy fields around the ancient Abbey hold Corncrake, and there should still be males calling. We can’t guarantee a sighting, though we should hear the birds rasping, and perhaps be rewarded with a glimpse or two! Next we sail to the Isle of Staffa, where we have enough time to visit Fingal’s Cave and also scan for Great Skua. We should also have time to visit the relatively small but delightfully approachable Puffin colony here. Nearby, the tiny isle of Lunga offers perhaps the best ‘Puffin experience’ in the British Isles, as we pass right by the burrows (the birds are inquisitive, and a careful birder can enjoy views from a few feet). Further along auks, Shag and gulls can be safely appreciated at eye level just yards away. Photographers will enjoy this spectacle! A quiet walk away from the main cliffs and we may hear Twite singing. Many thousands of Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake and Shag are present, with Black Guillemot, Manx Shearwater and perhaps tiny Storm Petrel,  Arctic Tern and ‘real’ Greylag Goose.

Next we head west to Coll, crossing the warm seas which play host to a variety of birds and cetaceans. Manx Shearwater, Arctic Skua, and occasional Storm Petrel, Great Skua around the ‘flurries’ of fish, hosts of Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake and of course Puffin, the seas can teem with birds. Sea mammals are of great interest, and we should encounter Otter on rocky beaches and inlets as the tide is rising. We watch for Minke Whale, Basking Shark, Bottle-nosed and Common Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise, with a very good chance of all these, and even the blunt-nosed Risso’s, or the flashing White-sided Dolphin are possible. We linger on Coll to enjoy the gentle rolling scenery, and to perhaps catch up with Corncrake. These islands have the largest breeding population in the UK.

Next we head north, through seas where Basking Shark are increasingly common, and after an overnight off the west of Harris, visit the Shiant Islands south-east of Lewis. This small group of islands in The Minch is one of the great bird-stations of the northern hemisphere, holding some 250,000 seabirds, including Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag and Great Skua. This wild and beautiful place is also one of the very last refuges of Black Rat, a fascinating small mammal now extremely rare in the UK, and we will spend an evening (optional!) baiting to see them.

Turning south and east now, we explore the waters around Canna, Rum, Eigg and Muck, with Skye and its mighty Cuillin Hills to the east. We have good chances of both Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle on this part of our voyage, and we will enjoy walking on at least a couple of these islands to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. We return to Oban past Ardnamuchan Point through the Sound of Mull, and might stop off in the picturesque town of Tobermory.

There is no fixed itinerary for this holiday, though spectacular island scenery is all around, and we should visit a selection of Inner and Outer Hebridean islands, including Iona, Staffa, Lunga, Coll, the Shiants, Canna, Muck, Eigg, Rum and Mull. How and exactly where we land depends entirely on the local conditions and the captain’s judgement. This is a spectacular adventure and a major opportunity for any lover of wildlife.

MV ELIZABETH G

Elizabeth G is a 68ft purpose-built luxury liveaboard for 12 guests plus crew. ‘Purpose-built liveaboard’ means she was specifically designed with passenger comfort and safety in mind, from her light and bright accommodation and "silent run" generator to her stabilisers and choice of two saloons. All cabins are twin-berth and have full head-room and full length berths, central heating radiators, natural ventilation and, most importantly to some, natural light from small sealed windows in the side of the vessel and deck-lights. All cabins are cosy, warm and dry, the natural light preventing that claustrophobic feeling which can occur in some converted vessels. There are wardrobes in every cabin, each berth has a reading light and floors are carpeted throughout the vessel.

There are two saloons aboard Elizabeth G and a sun-deck providing 360° views from the boat. The forward saloon contains books and magazines plus a combined television / video-playback facility. Relax in here watching the wildlife go by, take photographs, read or watch a video. The main, and larger, saloon also has large windows for near all-round views. This saloon is perfect for watching the world go by, taking photos or listening to music. The tables provide an ideal surface for painting and drawing or playing cards and games, a selection of which are held on board. The main saloon is adjacent to the galley and doubles as the dining area where there is ample seating for the full complement of guests plus crew. Elizabeth G has a bright and modern galley which is equipped with an industrial range and large double fridge with separate freezer facilities and a food store below decks. There are three domestic type electric toilets and two powerful, relaxing showers with plenty of hot water readily available. Electricity onboard is supplied by a powerful 'silent run' generator which is out of ear-shot in the engine room so it is not a problem, for example, to re-charge video camera batteries.

You can walk around Elizabeth G under covered walkways so there is always protection from bad weather. The boat's high, solid sides ensure you can walk outside safely even in rough seas should you care to do so.

Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, lager and a selection of wines are all available on board at sensible prices. We do not supply spirits but you are welcome to take your own.

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Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (eg weather).