Your crew will provide everything you need for an unforgettable cruise adventure. There are two crew members on board each cruise; your Skipper Iain and Chef Steve. They are supported by Iain’s wife Fiona on administration and son Jamie as Shore Manager and Sales.
Skipper Iain
Skipper Iain
Skipper and owner Iain Duncan, was born and brought up in Stonefield Castle Hotel, near Tarbert, Loch Fyne, one of the highlights of our cruises. Spending his formative years fishing hill and sea lochs with his father and brother Stuart instilled in Iain a love of wild places and nature.
His working life has included salmon farming in Loch Fyne, forestry throughout Cowal and 10 years with The Majestic Line as engineer then skipper. Nothing is too much trouble for Iain when it comes to the needs, comfort and safety of his passengers. He will always consider the weather conditions and sea state when planning the next leg of the cruise and keep passengers informed all the way. One of the pleasures of the Argyll Islands and sea lochs is the diversity of wildlife. Iain is expert at spotting species and very knowledgeable about the environment. He is also an authority on the history and heritage of South Argyll; guests are provided with the best information and advice to get a personal discovery of the cruising area.
Chef Steve
Chef Steve
We’re delighted to welcome Chef Stephen Boswell to the Argyll Cruising team for the 2016 season. Steve is Argyll born and bred and is no stranger to a life afloat, having run away to sea at the age of 15! Having been caught and brought back to Lochgilphead to finish his education, he went on to work with some of the UK’s top chefs. He gained his first rosette in 1993 and has also achieved the highly prestigious award of double rosettes on two occasions.
Steve also took part in the ‘Taste of Scotland’ scheme and achieved 3 medallions, so we can guarantee that all our guests are going to leave Splendour happy, if perhaps slightly heavier! Using fresh local ingredients is very important to Steve and at the forefront of his cooking. We know our guests will love our new menu’s, we certainly do! And this year we’ve added a BBQ and smoker on deck for our guests to enjoy some al fresco dining – perfect for the recent spell of wonderful west coast weather. So now, when you come on one of our cruises, you can catch your own mackerel and Chef Steve will smoke it for your next meal. Local food just doesn’t get any fresher!
What a privilege to be on your inaugural voyage. What a beautiful part of the world, such comfortable and interesting surroundings, unbeatable food and great company. Thank you!
— Wendy
We have had a very happy memorable family holiday with all 4 generations on board. Ailsa Craig in the sun! Fantastic food from Mike. Iain found best moorings -again,
— Sue and Andrew
Its hard to find the words… The boat, the sea, the skipper and cook, the food – all worked perfectly for me (alone). Iain even laid on a day’s storm / magnificent seas, the boat (and skipper) coping superbly / and then for the other passengers (a convivial and learned ornithologist from USA) relatively calm seas and, as they say ‘a prosperous voyage’. Well done Iain and Michael.
— Geoff. S
Superb! Well done Iain and Mike. Weather, scenery, food, everyone onboard all excellent. A holiday and a tonic.
— Sue and Geoff
An adventure to be treasured, we return filled with fun memories – not to mention filled with the finest food! Thank you so much crew
— Julie-Anne