| Starting Port |
Starting Time |
Finishing Port |
Finishing Time |
Number of Nights |
| Oban |
17:00 |
Oban |
10:00 |
6 |
Voyage Summary
Join Irene for a six night voyage exploring the islands of Islay and Jura as well as the terrific coast south of Oban. It’s not all about the whisky, though. The scenery is stunning, the wildlife in this area includes whales, dolphins and eagles amongst the more exotic. With the abundance of fine local produce, the foodies will have something to celebrate too!
Itinerary Details
Our precise voyage plan is always weather and tide dependent but the following will give a flavour of a possible route.
We’ll depart from Oban early evening on your day of arrival and make the short journey across the water to Mull. We’ll leave the hustle and bustle of Oban behind as we slip into Loch Spelve for a quiet and relaxed evening.
The following day will see us heading south towards the whisky isles of Islay and Jura. We may stop in one of the bays en route to break up the journey – this is supposed to be a relaxing voyage after all! Carsaig Bay on the east side of the Sound of Jura is always popular. Hop ashore and explore the local area or get out a fishing line and see if you can bag your own dinner!
After a spot of breakfast, the next day sees us sailing down the remainder of the Sound of Jura and passing Gigha island before arriving at Port Ellen on Islay. The wildlife can be elusive but if you keep your eyes peeled, whales dolphins, porpoises and even white-tailed sea eagles may be spotted. The water here is very deep and is used as a training ground for submarines. If the skipper lets you know the depth has dramatically reduced, keep you eyes peeled for a different sort of wildlife as it might be some submariners tracking us for some training practice!
The wonderful little town of Port Ellen is well worth exploring and if whisky is your thing, a visit to one of the local distilleries is a must. With several to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Alternatively, remain on board and enjoy the hospitality of the crew.
For many guests, Port Ellen is their first acquaintance with the Isle of Islay. The first view of Islay appears on the horizon when the Isle of Gigha is passed on the port side. Then the first of the three southern whisky distilleries become visible on the east coast of Islay, this is Ardbeg. A few moments later Lagavulin appears on Islay’s coast and Laphroaig is visible after the Isle of Texa has been passed. As we enter the harbour, we’ll make a turn to starboard and to the left the Oa peninsula rises from the sea with its impressive cliffs up to 200 metres near the American Monument and the Mull of Oa. This monument commemorates the shipwreck of the troopship ‘Tuscania’ and the 266 WW1 American servicemen who lost their lives when the ship was torpedoed in February, 1918. Also on the left the beautiful Port Ellen lighthouse appears. The lighthouse was commissioned in 1832 by Walter Frederick Campbell in loving memory of Lady Eleanor Campbell.
The following day takes us back north as we head to Craighouse on Jura. Another distillery town providing an opportunity to visit and sample the Scottish amber nectar! If you fancy the tour then please let us know as it is by appointment only.
The Isle of Jura is one of Scotland’s last true wildernesses with the people being outnumbered by the deer seventeen times over! Craighouse itself is a small village with limited facilities. This is part of its charm. A relaxed pace, stunning scenery and an abundance of wildlife means a walk off the ship is a treat in its own right. Sea otters and eagles have been seen in the harbour so make sure you keep your eyes peeled.
After leaving Jura, it will be time to make our way back to Oban. We’ll most likely make a stop on the return leg and somewhere like Seil provides a lovely final night on board.
Feis Ile Festival
Our voyage starting on 26th May will follow a slightly different itinerary. This week includes the fabulous Feis Ile whisky and music festival on Islay. A time when the island gets together to celebrate the history and culture around it’s most famous export – Scotch Whisky. For the connoisseur of the amber nectar, this is one not to be missed. We’ll be spending our time in Port Ellen and off the distillery in Bruichladdich. They’ll be some tastings of some very special malts on board. They’ll be plenty of time for a distillery tour or two and these are well worth doing. All the Islay distilleries lay on very special events. There is also live music at many pubs, each evening. The voyage price includes the tasting events and a distillery tour of Buichladdich.
Please note that this voyage will see us spending less time at sea and visiting fewer places. However, there will be plenty of opportunity to sail Irene between Oban and Islay and to enjoy her legendary hospitality on board.
