Logs
Beautiful in all seasons, the Scottish Highlands and Islands display an even more stunning tapestry of landscapes in autumn as green turns to bronxe, copper and gold. Far from the crowds and the everyday world, savour the serenity of the north west coast and the Outer Isles at arguably the best time of year.
Tuesday 29th September: Oban
Our voyage began in Oban, where we spent the day welcoming guests on board. That evening we sailed into the Sound of Mull and anchored overnight in Bloody Bay, off the Isle of Mull. The bay is named after a clan sea battle fought there in the 15th century.
Wednesday 30th September: Sound of Sleat, Kyle Rhea and Plockton
In the morning we cruised north through the Sound of Sleat, between Skye and the mainland. We then passed through Kyle Rhea, a narrow tidal strait with strong currents, and under the Skye Bridge on our way into Loch Carron.
In the afternoon we visited Plockton, a village of whitewashed cottages around a sheltered bay, known for the palm trees along its shore. Guests went ashore for walks before we sailed on to anchor overnight in Loch Ewe.
Thursday 1st October: Inverewe Gardens and Ullapool
In the morning guests went ashore to visit Inverewe Gardens. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, plants from around the world grow there, despite the gardens lying further north than Moscow. The autumn colours were just coming through.
We spent the afternoon cruising north along the Wester Ross coast. In the late afternoon we berthed alongside in Ullapool, an 18th-century fishing town, and where we berthed alongside overnight.
Friday 2nd October: Corrieshalloch Gorge, Isle Martin and Stornoway
In the morning guests visited Corrieshalloch Gorge. A Victorian suspension bridge crosses the gorge and looks down on the Falls of Measach.
In the afternoon we visited Isle Martin, a small community-owned island at the mouth of Loch Broom, where guests walked the island’s paths. That evening we crossed the Minch and berthed alongside in Stornoway on Lewis, where we stayed overnight.
Saturday 3rd October: Callanish, Carloway and Lews Castle
In the morning guests visited the Callanish Standing Stones, which were put up around 5,000 years ago. They then went on to Dun Carloway Broch, an Iron Age drystone tower that is one of the best preserved in Scotland.
In the afternoon guests visited the museum at Lews Castle, which displays some of the Lewis Chessmen, and explored Stornoway independently. We then sailed back across the Minch to anchor overnight in Staffin Bay, off the Isle of Skye.
Sunday 4th October: Portree, Dunvegan and the Small Isles
In the morning we visited Portree, Skye’s main town, and guests travelled across the island to Dunvegan Castle, home of the Clan MacLeod for around 800 years.
In the afternoon we cruised south, back under the Skye Bridge and through Kyle Rhea, then past the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna. We anchored overnight in Bloody Bay.
Monday 5th October: Tobermory
On our last full day we visited Tobermory on Mull, known for its brightly painted harbourfront. Guests explored the town during the morning.
After lunch we cruised down the Sound of Mull to Oban, where we berthed alongside for the night and the farewell gala dinner.
Tuesday 6th October: Oban
We spent the final morning in Oban as guests disembarked, bringing a week among the sea lochs and islands of the west coast to a close.
