| Starting Port |
Starting Time |
Finishing Port |
Finishing Time |
Number of Nights |
| Oban |
17:00 |
Oban |
10:00 |
6 |
Voyage Summary
Our Sail, Paddle and Walk voyages give you the opportunity to get really close to the environment in which we sail. We will explore the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck by traditional sailing vessel, sea kayak and on foot.
We will have professional walking and sea kayaking guides with us for the whole week allowing you to do as much or as little as you like. There is no need to pre-book, decide what you fancy when you wake up and we’ll do our very best to accommodate it!
Sailing Highlights
Walking Tours
The Small Isles are often called the hidden gems of the Western Isles, providing a walking paradise for those seeking wilderness and solitude. Highlights include the towering volcanic peaks of the Rum Cuillin, Kinloch Castle or Kilmory bay on Rum; An Sgurr and Cleadale on Eigg; Canna’s towering cliffs and rock stacks and the verdant landscape and sparkling shores of Muck.
Alongside the stunning and dramatic scenery, the walking tours will give you an opportunity to spot some of the more terrestrial wildlife. Canna has been in the hands of the National Trust since 1981 and is a mecca for bird life.
Sea Kayaking
The Small Isles are a brilliant sea kayaking destination. Each of the islands is very different and play host to a wide variety of geology, wildlife and infrastructure. Viewing these from a few inches above the water gives a very different perspective. It presents a wonderful opportunity to get really close to marine wildlife and to paddle with whales and dolphins is a magical experience.
Plans
We’ll start this voyage from Oban and spend the first day sailing to the Small Isles. It’s a full day’s sail but a fabulous introduction to some traditional sailing. There are no marinas here so we’ll be relying on the anchor for the week. Our exact location will depend on the weather – we want you to have comfortable night after all!
The next four days will be spent in a variety of locations around the Small Isles. Each day you’ll have the opportunity to explore our location on foot under expert guidance or to spend the day paddling around the coastline with a professional kayak guide. Alternatively, put your feet up and relax on board Irene, soaking up the stunning views and wonderful atmosphere or take yourself off to explore ashore under your own steam.
Moving Irene between the islands will be done during the night, or if excursions are a shorter length, during the daytime. We like to keep these plans reasonably flexible to ensure we make the most of weather conditions and the wishes of our guests.
Our final day will be the return sail to Oban. This might involve a sail through the night to ensure we maximise our time in the Small Isles. If visibility is good, you can expect stunning views of the stars as light pollution is so low here. We’ve also known the crew to give a rather good rendition of some Beach Boys hits to encourage a spot of midnight dancing and keep the circulation going as temperatures cool!
