Isle of Mull and Small Isles Explorer
02.09.2020 - 08.09.2020
Western Scotland
| 
Kevin Scully
painting,
seascapes,
cruise
1500 EUR
Enjoy an extraordinary voyage of seven nights exploring the Sound of Mull and the Small Isles. The Isle of Mull, inhabited since 6000 BC, is the quintessential island of the Inner Hebrides and rich in Scottish history. The outlying Small isles, Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna, are justly famous for their sheltered anchorages, spectacular birdlife and ever-changing, island scenery. History, wildlife, spectacular islands and breathtaking mountains, this is a truly unforgettable Scottish cruise. Don't forget your hiking boots for stunning island walks!
We also have onboard, for your enjoyment, a very experienced art tutor Kevin Scully. Kevin Scully trained at Wimbledon School of Art in London, and is a qualified and experienced all medium tutor and is an inspirational and patient teacher. He has worked as an artist in the theatre and television and he is a winner of the Winsor & Newton Painting Prize and the Clairefontaine Art Award. Kevin is enthusiastic and creative, using demonstrations and one-to-one tuition to help students gain confidence and develop as individuals. His tuition is relaxed and supportive, and he encourages students to progress at their own pace, whilst learning new skills, and of course you will have lots of fun!
You don't have to take advantage of the tutoring but, if you wish, we will supply all the art materials free of charge. Please note that you have to let us know if you would like to take part in the art sessions when you book your cruise, so that we can organise the art materials in advance.
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.
If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as fly fishing, sea eagle tours, whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request.
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 depart for our first destination.
Loch Aline: In the picturesque Loch Aline there are woodland walks and, at the head of the loch, is ancient Ardtornish estate and woodland gardens.
Loch Drumbuie: A squeeze between high sided cliffs and we are in a perfectly sheltered anchorage. A lovely location for going sea kayaking or for a swim.
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. The anchorage on Canna is one of the best of the Small Isles and 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. A visit to the Kinloch castle near the anchorage or a guided walk and talk with the ranger Trudi Clarke is definitely worthwhile.
Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebrides. If you wish, we can make time to visit the local distillery or visit eagles (Mull is the best place in the UK to see eagles).
Loch Spelve: A loch on the south side of Mull. To enter we have to negotiate the narrow entrance. The anchorage in this sheltered loch, which is surrounded by an ancient oak forest, gives us unparalleled views of the mountains of Mull. There are resident otters along its shoreline.
