Hebridean Odyssey Cruise

Day 1

Board the small ship Splendour at 1400 hrs in Holy Loch Marina, Sandbank. After a champagne welcome and safety briefing, we set sail toward Arran, dropping anchor in Brodick Bay for dinner and overnight.

Day 2

Discover Brodick Castle or the Arran Heritage Museum. After lunch, cruise toward Campbeltown or, if weather permits, the island of Sanda for dinner and overnight.

Day 3

Catch the morning tide for an exhilarating journey around the Mull of Kintyre to Jura or explore the lush Achamore Gardens on Gigha.

Day 4

Navigate through the Sound of Islay to Loch Tarbert for a guided walk before continuing to Colonsay for the night.

Day 5

Sail to Iona and explore the abbey or the shell-strewn beaches. Overnight in Bunessan, keeping an eye out for playful dolphins.

Day 6

Visit to Staffa with its many caves, most notably Fingal’s Cave with its basalt and tuff layers of lava. Enjoy a tender trip right into the cave for an unforgettable experience. Now it’s north past the other worldly Treshnish Isles to the peaceful island of Muck. On this trip we hope to see sea eagles and perhaps large pods of common dolphin and some minke Whales. Walk to the north bay on Muck to look for otters and porpoises.

Day 7

Set course for Barra, landing in Castlebay to visit Kisimul Castle or enjoy a local pub. Overnight at anchor.

Day 8

Cruise to Mingulay, where you can wander through its evocative abandoned village before setting sail for the Uists and an overnight stay in Loch Boisdale.

Day 9

Cruise the beautiful east coast of the Uists and Benbecula, with their attendant archipelago of jewel-like islands. Tarbert is well worth a stop over with an easy walk to the west loch and a look at the tweed shop and the amazing general store.

Day 10

The Shiant Islands lie 2 hours east of Tarbert and seethe with birdlife in the summer months. Go ashore from the anchorage at Molmor to explore Eilean An Tigh (Island of the House) and if no one’s at home, sneak a peek into the Nicolson’s cottage with its rough stone chess set and throne-like chair but be sure to close the door! Next we’re off to Dunvegan on Skye for overnight anchorage.

Day 11

Visit Dunvegan Castle and after lunch cruise down Skye’s awe-inspiring west coast with amazing cliffs, caves and sea stacks. If it’s calm enough we can go by tender into one of the caves, which is pitch dark inside and full of nesting shags. Overnight off the Talisker Distillery in Loch Harport with the towering mass of the Black Cuillin ridge as a backdrop.

Day 12

A visit to the distillery is possible this morning or better still to Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillins and onto the jewel in the Hebridean crown, the Island of Canna. Here we will overnight with the grey seals and hope a visiting trawler overnights at the pier so that we can trade for prawns fresh from the sea.

Day 13

Walk on Canna with its three churches to the neighboring island of Sanday, which is carpeted with wild flowers at this time of year. Truly sublime. We now travel south past the other Small Isles watching out all the way for whales, sharks and dolphins, to the enchanting, colourful village of Tobermory for a shopping trip before dinner and a well earned rest.

Day 14

Down the sound of Mull during breakfast for a final cruise to Oban, gateway to the Islands, for fond farewells and then the journey back to Sandbank.

This Hebridean Island cruise delivers a classic Scottish small-ship cruising experience, perfect for those seeking a boutique holiday with all-inclusive comforts. Relax in the welcoming Tiree Lounge, enjoy a carefully curated menu of locally sourced dishes, and explore with ship’s bicycles and fishing tackle included. Whether you’re looking for cruises for 2025 or planning ahead for Hebridean Island 2026 cruises, your unforgettable adventure awaits.