The Mystery of St Kilda and the Outer Isles

Made up of five islands and three stacs, the mysterious archipelago of St Kilda is the UK’s only double UNESCO World Heritage Site. Few exepriences can match the thrill of the sea stacks as they loom from the list on the horizon or the profound sense of abandonment of this far-flung isle.

Tuesday, 12th May

Oban → Bloody Bay, Mull

Embarkation day in Oban. Once passengers were settled, we headed north and anchored for the night in Bloody Bay on the Isle of Mull — a quiet, sheltered spot despite the dramatic name.

⚓ Anchored overnight: Bloody Bay, Isle of Mull

Wednesday, 13th May

Salen · Isle of Rum · Loch na Dall

We called at Salen on Loch Sunart in the morning — a peaceful village with good walking country nearby.

The afternoon took us to the Isle of Rum, one of the wilder Inner Hebridean islands, where guests explored on foot against a backdrop of impressive highland scenery.

⚓ Anchored overnight: Loch na Dall, Isle of Skye

Thursday, 14th May

Isle of Raasay · Portree, Skye

The morning was spent on Raasay, where guests walked ashore and visited the Raasay Distillery and Raasay House.

In the afternoon we moved to Portree — Skye’s main town — giving guests free time to explore its harbour, shops, and cafés.

We set sail overnight on passage towards St Kilda.

⚓ Overnight passage: towards St Kilda

Friday, 15th May

St Kilda · Sound of Harris · Stornoway

We anchored at St Kilda in the morning, but a landing wasn’t possible — the swell had been building overnight and continued to worsen. We cruised the dramatic Stacs instead, with huge colonies of seabirds overhead, before threading through the Sound of Harris and heading for Lewis.

We arrived in Stornoway late that evening and berthed alongside for the night.

⚓ Berthed overnight: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Saturday, 16th May

Isle of Lewis · Loch Bracadale, Skye

A morning tour took guests to the Callanish Standing Stones and Dun Carloway Broch — two of the best prehistoric sites in Scotland.

Back in Stornoway, the afternoon was free: guests could visit Lews Castle Museum or simply wander the town.

We sailed south that evening, anchoring off the west coast of Skye.

⚓ Anchored overnight: Loch Bracadale, Isle of Skye

Sunday, 17th May

West Skye · Tiree · Bunessan, Mull

We cruised the west coast of Skye in the morning on passage towards Tiree.

Unfortunately, swell and surge at the pier made a stop impossible, so we continued south. On arrival at our anchorage, speedboat rides were offered to guests who wanted them.

⚓ Anchored overnight: Bunessan, Isle of Mull