As part of our commitment to minimising the environmental impact of our cruises, we aim to serve produce that has low food miles. Our Chefs love to make use of the excellent local produce available and here are some of the suppliers in Argyll and the Isles they use:
Jacksons Butcher
Traditional butchers since 1932 who specialise in the finest Scottish lamb, beef, pork, and poultry. Alister, the current owner, is the third generation of Jacksons to run the business and is always a great help to our chefs when placing orders.
D Watt & Son
Officially Oban’s oldest family business situated on the Railway Pier. Carol offers a great selection of local fish and shellfish, including Salmon, Crab, Mussels, Langoustines, Trout, Haddock, Cod and much more.
J M Breckinridge
Another family-run business to the Argyll area that delivers all over the West Coast of Scotland. It is one of the most established suppliers of fresh fruit and veg in Scotland. Yet another great service, which delivers to our vessels.
Go Naked Veg
Local to Oban, the shop sells fresh fruit and veg plus organic products aiming to reduce plastic waste – they cut out all unnecessary packaging and bags.
Millstone Wholefoods
A health food shop central to Oban which started in 1985. They offer an extensive selection of organic produce, vitamins, fresh baking, and are well-stocked with supplements. A great shop to browse when looking for products to serve our Vegan guests.
Alba’s Kitchen Garden
An intimate, well-stocked delicatessen local to Oban, supplying lovely produce with a wonderful cheese selection - our Chefs always enjoy browsing the cheese counter!
Taste of Argyll
Taste of Argyll offers lots of local produce under one roof, packed with local meats, cheeses, preserves, coffee, chocolates, and more.
Inverlussa Mussel Farm
A real treat for our guests is going ashore at Loch Spelve to collect some freshly harvested mussels for the Chef to cook that day. The farm has been voted the best mussel producer in Scotland on numerous occasions.
Skipper Rob
A speciality of Hebrides Cruises is hand-dived scallops, often provided by Skipper Rob. He has many secret spots where he likes to find Scallops, only ever taking as much as he needs for guests aboard. The Skipper and Wildlife Guide join guests at mealtimes, to catch up on the latest adventures and plan the following day’s activities.
Fairtrade Argyll
Oban became a Fairtrade Town back in 2006. It is a simple way that each local business can make a difference through everyday choices. Whether it be better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair term of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. We aim to serve some Fairtrade products aboard our vessels, for example, coffee and chocolate.
Please see below a link to Oban’s Fairtrade Directory, giving some extra information, listing shops and cafes that serve or stock Fairtrade items.
We have nothing but the highest praise for the whole experience. From the whales, dolphin and porpoise sightings while enroute, to the flora and fauna we saw while ashore in the most spectacular locations, this was a most thrilling trip. I will add that the experience was undoubtedly enhanced by the crew, with James ensuring that we had the optimum cruising conditions and Indy being a font of knowledge way beyond his years while explaining what we saw. I cannot say enough about the hospitality on board. From James to Abbie, Sam to Indy the crew were so welcoming. From the moment Abbie offered us a welcoming drink on first boarding to the Carrot cake and Prosecco on the beach in Muck, we felt that we were well taken care of throughout. Indeed, the quality and variety of the food meant that we looked forward to every meal. I must say a particular thanks for the surprise chocolate cake arranged to help us celebrate our 42nd Wedding Anniversary. This was a lovely thought and much appreciated! The was nothing that the crew could have done to make this a better experience. We were sad when the trip came to an end and felt that we had one of the best experiences with a caring crew, and companiable fellow cruisers. All in all, a most memorable and enjoyable week. I would only have two words to say to anyone thinking of booking with Hebrides Cruises: “Do it”.
Duncan Pescod: 7 August 2023Skye and the Small Isles: Hebridean horizons