Scotland's Island Cruising: Treshnish Isles, Staffa, Iona and the Small Isles

Some of the places we may visit are: Oban: Your departure point will be Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina), the gateway to the Hebridean isles. After a short introduction to life on board our small ship we lift anchor and set sail to our first destination. Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebridean Isles with its famous whisky distillery and colourful waterfront. You can wander along the streets, visit the delightful local museum, perhaps watch a pipe band, admire the wooden fishing boats and take in the long history of this lovely village. Canna, the Small Isles: Canna is possibly the most beautiful of all the Small islands. Its 200 metre high cliffs of Compass Hill rise dramatically out of the sea and we have a good chance of seeing both sea and golden eagles. A stroll ashore to see the puffins and wild flower meadows of Sanday's Machair is a pure delight. Muck, the Small Isles: The small island of Muck (Muck is Gaelic for 'Pig') is only a couple of miles long and a mile wide. Ashore there are wonderful coastal walks and many seabirds. On Horse Island, which is accessible at low water, there is a colony of puffins. Eigg, the Small Isles: The "Sgurr of Eigg", an ancient, eroded volcanic plug that creates a dramatic cliff on the east side of the island and a high ridge which runs west. There are beautiful white-sand bays and a quartz beach that creates the famous "singing sands". Rum, Loch Scresort, the Small Isles: Rum Island is a National Nature Reserve and famous for its herds of red deer and sheer sea cliffs which are home to nesting sea eagles. Lunga, Treshnish Isles: Keeping well clear of Caliach Point we head down towards the Treshnish Isles, breeding grounds for seals and puffins. Lunga is a site of Special Scientific Interest because of the plants which grow there and the wildlife. Soribay Bay, Loch Tuath: Our destination is a pretty anchorage in Soribay Bay where we see, in the distance, the mountains of Mull dominated by Ben More (963 m) and close-by, across the Loch, is the picturesque Eas Fos waterfall tumbling into the sea. Fingal’s Cave, Staffa: It may be difficult to anchor off the island because of the lack of sheltered anchorages but we can sail close to the island to see all of its natural beauty. With our new sea kayaks guests can sometimes explore the incredible Fingal's cave on the Isle of Staffa! Iona: As there are no sheltered over-night anchorages on Iona, we organize a daytrip from the village of Bunessan. There is a short ferry crossing across the Sound of Iona to Iona. Loch Spelve: Up anchor and travel down the Sound of Iona. This a special Sound where the clear blue waters flow over the white sand and where the Abbey tower is used as a navigational mark to denote a safe passage. Out of the Sound the dangerous Torran Rocks have to be avoided as we travel along the rocky southern shores of the Ross of Mull to enter remote Loch Spelve. A narrow entrance leads us in to the tranquil waters of Loch Spelve with its surrounding ancient oak forest. The anchorage gives us a different perspective than our previous views of the wonderful mountains of Mull. There are resident otters along the loch's shoreline.

Please note that your voyage is weather dependent. Weather doesn't just mean good or bad weather. There are many considerations such as tidal gates, wind direction and strength, the strength and direction of currents, overfalls, and fetch. Depending upon the weather and nature’s conditions, wildlife viewing varies. If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as sea eagle tours or whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request. Excursions and visits ashore are at your own cost.

Vessel Type: Small Ship

Length: 72 feet / 21.9 meters

Passenger Capacity: 8

Built / refurbished: 1974 / 2020

Gemini Explorer delivers a markedly different small-ship experience: a 1974 Clyde-class cruising lifeboat rebuilt for charter work while retaining the character of her original role. The hull, engines and core structure remain true to the vessel that once served at Clovelly and took part in the 1979 Fastnet storm, but successive refits have added a bright saloon, a modern galley, high bulwarks, a viewing deck and en-suite cabins. The result is a functional, seaworthy platform with clear traces of its RNLI history, upgraded just enough to support comfortable coastal exploration without diluting the vessel’s working-boat identity.

Accommodation is compact but warm, with seven berths arranged between forward en-suite cabins and an aft twin sharing facilities with the crew. Life revolves around the deck saloon for dining and conversation, while the upper viewing deck offers the best vantage point for wildlife and landscape watching. Guests can bring their own gear, make use of the onboard two-person kayak, and settle into an informal routine shaped by a skipper who knows the Hebrides intimately and a chef who keeps meals local and fresh.

Vessel Type: Small Ship

Length: 24.9 metres

Passenger Capacity: 11

Seahorse II is an 82 ft steel-hulled vessel, originally built for the Norwegian fjords and high northern latitudes, combining rugged construction with modern comfort. Powered by a 350 hp Volvo diesel, she reaches speeds up to 11 knots and carries ample fuel and water for extended cruising. Her size allows access to remote islands and lochs of the Inner and Outer Hebrides that larger vessels cannot reach. Outdoor spaces include a high foredeck for wildlife spotting, a spacious aft deck for alfresco dining, and room for personal watercraft, kayaks, or paddleboards, supported by a crane for easy launching.

Accommodation is for up to 11 guests across a mix of double, twin, and single cabins, all with washbasins, and includes a deck saloon for dining and socialising with views of the surrounding wildlife. The three-person crew consists of a skipper knowledgeable about the local waters, a chef preparing fresh, locally sourced meals, and a bosun/crew member providing assistance as needed. Seahorse II delivers an intimate, flexible, and immersive experience for exploring the Hebrides in comfort and style.

Vessel Type: ex-Norwegian Rescue Ship

Length: 75 feet / 22.9 meters

Passenger Capacity: 8

Built/refurbished: 1969/1994

Speideren is a 75 ft ex-Norwegian Rescue Ship, originally built in 1969 for the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue. Designed to handle the harsh and unpredictable North and Arctic Seas, she features a sturdy hull, deep keel, strong superstructure, and twin engines. Since her decommissioning, she has been converted into a fast, comfortable, and luxurious cruising vessel with a well-lit deck saloon, en-suite cabins, and a viewing deck, making her ideal for exploring the remote inlets and lochs of Scotland’s Wild Isles, including as far as St Kilda. Her decks provide ample space for wildlife observation, kayaking, and paddleboarding, with an onboard tender to safely reach shore.

Accommodation aboard Speideren is for eight guests in four forward cabins—three double and one twin—all en-suite and fitted with traditional varnished hardwood and soft antique lighting. Two of the double cabins are particularly spacious, while the third double has an adjacent en-suite for solo use. The convivial saloon serves as the hub for dining and socialising. The experienced crew includes a skipper with extensive local knowledge, a chef preparing fresh, locally sourced meals, and a bosun/crew member assisting wherever needed, ensuring a seamless and immersive small-ship cruising experience.