Cruise Scotland: Corryvreckan to the Shiants Cruise – Our Corryvreckan to the Shiants cruise comprises the very best that the West of Scotland has to offer neatly packaged in a 10-night cruise. Experience the power of nature as the tide runs through the Gulf of Corryvreckan, the second largest maelstrom in the world! Enjoy the serenity of Iona. Marvel at the ruggedness of Skye’s black Cuillin mountains, delight in the company of thousands of puffins on Lunga, Staffa and the Shiants.
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Cruise Summary
Iona – A feeling of peace pervades this fertile island. Iona has an enviable climate and wonderfully evocative early Christian ruins. On the west side of Iona lies a white shell-sand beach where Cowrie shells can be found.
Staffa – Follow the footsteps of Sir Walter Scott, Felix Mendelssohn, Queen Victoria and more recently Jane MacDonald to name but a few. Enter the world famous Fingal’s cave by tender.
Loch Coruisk – This freshwater loch lies in the crater of the extinct volcano which forms the Black Cuillin Mountains of Skye. Fabulously scenic it makes a perfect setting for a walk or for the more adventurous a wild swim.
The Shiant Islands – A small group of islands lying between Skye and the Western Isles which, in spring and summer, teem with nesting seabirds, Guillemots, Shags, Gulls, Skua inhabit the huge basalt columns. A quarter of a million puffins flit everywhere bringing beak-fulls of Sand-eels home to their Pufflings.
Canna – Jewel of the Inner Hebrides Canna and its tidal neighbour Sanday are a delight to visit. The sea cliffs of Compass Hill are home to nesting seabirds and the hunting ground Golden and White Tailed Eagles. The wildflower meadows of Sanday with views to the Black Cullins to the north are unforgettable.
Tobermory – This colourful little town is a bustling hub for yachtsmen. All manner of craft is seen here in the summer season from as far afield as America and New Zealand. Tobermory boasts many and varied shops most famous amongst which is ‘Browns’ where anything from gate hinges to whisky and guitars can be found. Relax for a pint in the famous Mishnish bar.
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 – Board Splendour at Oban’s North Pier Pontoon for Skipper Iain’s briefing and a welcoming glass of bubbly. Cast off for Loch Spelve for the first of many fabulous evening meals with the hills of Mull as our backdrop.
Day 2 – After a wonderful cooked breakfast prepared by your onboard chef set sail for the tiny islands of Eilach An Naoimh one of the isles of the sea or Garvellachs. View the well-preserved beehive cells once home to early Christian Monks. Visit the grave of St Columba’s mother. Overnight in tranquil Loch Melfort after a stroll through the marvellous Arduaine Gardens.
Day 3 – Surge through the turbulent Gulf of Corryvreckan and the great race to the serene island of Iona for an afternoon ashore and a visit to the Abbey. Enjoy dinner and overnight off Bunessan on Mull.
Day 4 – Fingal’s cave on Staffa is an unforgettable natural wonder. Visit the cave by tender then back aboard for morning coffee and cookies. Lunga, one of the treshnish isles is next on the agenda with its fabulous colony of puffins. Overnight in sheltered Gometra harbour keeping an eye open for eagles and red deer.
Day 5 – The pastoral island of Muck awaits us today. The waters around Muck are the hunting ground of Minke Whales and Dolphins. A walk ashore from Port More to Gallanach Bay to the North of the island rewards you with wonderful views of the island of Rhum. Porpoises and otters may be seen in Gallanach Bay. Overnight in Loch Scresort with the possibility of an evening visit to the Otter hide.
Day 6 – Loch Scavaig in the Black Cuillins of Skye is one of the most awesome anchorages in Europe. The waters here are home to some 300 Common Seals. A trip ashore to view Loch Coruisk is an unforgettable experience and for the brave, a wild swim is the icing on the cake. After lunch we motor up the west coast of Skye enjoying some of the best cliff scenery in Scotland, watching out for White-Tailed Eagles, Basking Sharks, Dolphins and hopefully Killer Whales. Overnight in Loch Dunvegan.
Day 7 – We continue our journey North today to the other-worldly islands of the Shiants. Prepare for seabird overload as these islands teem with life thanks to an abundant supply of sand eels. The puffin colony is huge comprising some quarter of a million individuals. If the weather is settled we will overnight in this magical place.
Day 8 – A fabulous sea-day is in store today with nine glorious hours of scenery and wildlife from the Shiants to Canna, the jewel of the Hebrides. Anything can be encountered today from common Risso’s and bottlenose dolphins to minke and perhaps killer whales. A walk on Canna before dinner.
Day 9 – Cruise along the North Coast of Rhum spotting the red deer herd made famous by the BBC’s Autumnwatch. These waters area favourite haunt of Basking Sharks, Common Dolphin and Minke Whales. Dropping anchor in Eigg’s south bay we go ashore to visit this vibrant island which sine 1997 has been owned by the inhabitants after a series of disastrous absentee landlords. Visit the cave of the massacre. A haunting reminder of bloodier times when 395 islanders were suffocated when the MacLeods lit a fire in the cave mouth. After lunch, we head south past Ardnamurchan Point to the capital of Mull, Tobermory for overnight.
Day 10 – The bustling town of Tobermory beckons today with its distillery, museum, shops and bars, there is something for everybody. It is a colourful little town and once one of the most photogenic in the whole of Scotland. After lunch back aboard Splendour, we cruise down the scenic Sound of Mull to our overnight in beautiful Loch Aline. This is where most evacuees from St Kilda were housed and is one of the best anchorages in the West Coast. A walk ashore is followed by a welcome dinner aboard.
Day 11 – A short cruise to Oban completes the wonderful trip which has taken in some of the best scenery and wildlife on the planet. All too soon its 11 o’clock and fond farewells all round. Time to start planning your next adventure aboard Splendour!
Pricing and Availability
From £2925 p/p (Complete with ensuite cabin) / From £21,060 Private Charter
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Argyll Cruising offers 9 unique Scottish Cruises, visiting the inlets and islands of Argyll, Arran and the Outer Hebrides.
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