Scottish Lochs

Highlights

• Cruise Highlands and Islands through lochs and seas, spotting wildlife such as common seals and dolphins
• Sip Scotch on a malt whisky tasting tour on Islay
• Sit back and admire the spectacular mountains and island scenery of Ben Nevis, Jura and the Mull of Kintyre
• Enjoy huddling round the flames of a beach barbecue and taking a dip in refreshing loch waters
• Visit the Titanic Museum and the bars and restaurants of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter

Itinerary

Day 1: Board Snark from 16:00 to 18:00 at Muirtown Marina in Inverness, Scotland. Group introductions and safety briefing, followed by evening meal on board.

Day 2: Set sail along the Caledonian Canal through the Muirtown locks and on to the infamous Loch Ness in search of Nessie. The first four days will be spent cruising through the Great Glen through the spectacular Highland scenery and mysterious inland lochs. Anchor in the lee of the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle. Row ashore to explore the 1,000-year-old ruins and surrounding countryside.

Day 3: Start off early along Loch Ness to Fort Augustus and take the lock ladder into the upper stretch of the Caledonian canal and on to the head of Loch Oich to anchor for the night. Row ashore for a beach barbecue and maybe a bit of wild swimming in the freshwater loch.

Day 4: Cruise down Loch Oich through the upper reach of the Caledonian canal and then down Loch Lochy to anchor in the beautiful Achnacarry Bay.

Day 5: Head along the western reach of the canal, then down the eight locks of Neptune’s Staircase, the longest staircase lock in Scotland, and through Corpach Basin to the western sea lock. Moor up overnight in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak.

Day 6: Exit the last sea lock into Loch Linnhe and set sail again heading south, gliding past the mountains and glens of the highlands to anchor on the east side of the island of Mull. These next four days take us down through the beautiful Inner Hebrides to Islay and the famous malt whisky distilleries. Row ashore for a beach barbecue and an evening swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Inner Hebrides.

Day 7: Continue south through the islands and the notorious narrows of Cuan Sound, past Shuna and the Corryvreckan Narrows to anchor in a quiet bay on the island of Jura for our last Scottish beach barbie.

Day 8: Weigh anchor and sail down to Port Ellen on the south tip of Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides.

Day 9: We can’t leave the Scottish Isles without sampling the Islay malt whiskies and the best place to do this is around Port Ellen. Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg distilleries are all on the coast within a couple of miles of the harbour.

Day 10: Midday start for a serious day's sailing, carrying the tides across the North Channel, skirting the shipping lanes and the Mull of Kintyre, leaving Scottish waters and heading across the Irish Sea to a sheltered anchorage in Red Bay in Northern Ireland.

Day 11: Weigh anchor mid-morning to run down to Belfast Loch on the tide. Cruise up the River Lagan through the busy commercial port of Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital city, to the Marina and moor up close to the Titanic Museum and the historic Shipyards.

Last day: Breakfast on board, followed by goodbyes and disembarkation at 10:00 from Belfast Harbour Marina, Northern Ireland.

A typical day’s activities might include:

• An early breakfast on board.
• Cast off and sail to our next stopover with lunch and refreshments along the way.
• Learn the ropes and help sail the boat as we go.
• Relax on board, keeping an eye out for wildlife and coastal landmarks, or chill on deck, reading a book, sketching or photographing the coast as we sail by.
• Moor up or anchor in the afternoon with cultural visits where available.
• Dinner on deck or row ashore to a secluded beach for a sea swim or coastal walk and barbecue, or evening out to a harbour inn or restaurant (onshore meals not included in price).

Note: The above itinerary is provisional. It may be subject to change depending on weather and other factors. Some ports will not be available in certain wind conditions. We might get to others too late or skip a stopover for a longer day’s sail if we’re running behind.