St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides 10-nights

4 July 2025

Visiting St Kilda is a privilege that has been my ambition for many years. Rain, rolling seas and thick mist could not dent my excitement. Three miles off the archipelago the cloud lifted to 300 feet and Hirta emerged from the murk. Kilda must be dramatic on a clear day, but the eerie shape of Dùn, rising like a half submerged dragon head, protecting Village Bay from Atlantic storms, heralded an emotive and unforgettable visit to the most westerly part of the British Isles. We spent a few hours ashore, taking in the unique and emotional remnants of twenty centuries of inhabitation, then the following morning we circumnavigated Hirta and Boreray. Countless seabirds swarmed in the skies, into and out of the mist; avian crowded stacs rose out of sapphire seas, teaming with seals, while puffins flapped, guillemots and razorbills chattered, gannets and fulmars soared while skuas watched them, and Soay and Boreray sheep danced across the cliff faces like mountain goats. Then we headed east and, as quickly as she had emerged, Kilda was reclaimed by the mist. The rest of the trip was great, and the weather even improved! Skipper Jake got us everywhere we wanted to go with easy going professionalism, wildlife guide Lauren’s love and knowledge of the seabirds and cetaceans was infectious, chef Charlie’s cooking was superlative, international and sooo tasty, and steward Tani was just lovely, proactive and personable. Also, as a solo traveller, it can be daunting spending 10 days with a dozen strangers…but the other passengers were as wonderful as the crew. 5***** Thank you Hebrides Cruises.

Ellen Orrock

26 June 2025

This was our second trip with Hebrides Cruises and it once again turned out to be a highly memorable and enjoyable trip... and successful trip to St Kilda. The Skipper James and his crew of Will, Indy, Sammy and Abbie are all to be commended for making this trip so wonderful, their care and attitude of nothing being too much trouble was truly appreciated. The sighting of Risso's dolphins at St Kilda was such a joy - not only to us but to James and Indy, which made the sighting all the more special. The food was not only superbly delicious but so imaginative. Lucy Mary's accommodation was extremely comfortable and despite the weather of rain, mist and wind these did not mar our holiday at all. As keen walkers we really enjoyed the many opportunities to walk ashore with Indy, and these helped to counteract the effects of the marvellous food. We would certainly recommend Hebrides Cruises for holidays which are a little different. Kindest Regards to all at Hebrides Cruises, Hazel and Bob ... the ones that kept asking questions, all of which were willingly and patiently answered.

HAZEL WALKER

26 June 2025

We had a wonderful Cruise on the beautiful Lucy Mary. The crew of James, Indy, Will, Sam and Abbie looked after us so well. We made it to St Kilda, the scenery is amazing, even managed to photograph a St Kilda Wren! The next morning we did a trip around the islands and stacks, stunning scenery, we saw minke whales close up and thousands of gannets and puffins! We also visited, Taransay, Vatersay, Barra, Eriskay to mention a few. The crew made getting ashore with the tender so easy and safe. The whole trip was first class from start to finish. The food was delicious, the accommodation very comfortable and the crew always friendly and helpful. If you are thinking about doing this trip, or any other one, then do! It was our 3rd trip with Hebrides Cruises, who I highly recommend. I look forward to sailing with you again! Thank you!

Shamim Robertson

2 June 2025

What an amazing trip! We were aware that there were no guarantees for anchoring off St Kilda or indeed of going ashore but thanks to the expertise and care of James and his crew we made it, and goodness aren't we appreciative. It was a truly memorable and special experience. Lucy Mary accommodated us beautifully. The professionalism, genuine enthusiasm and hard work by all the crew made our trip the best it could possibly be. The catering, wildlife spotting, walks ashore were excellent and each member of the crew played their part in making it so. This was our second holiday with Hebrides Cruises and we would certainly do another!

Jane Hunter

2 June 2025

James skippers a wonderful crew with immense professionalism earning their considerable respect. The Lucy Mary is so well suited to providing guests with a level of comfort and security to allow the relaxed and enjoyable experience to be fully appreciated. Our hostess Abbie, artistically laid table, served spectacular meals and drinks, she could not have done more to wait on us and yet like a fairy godmother discretely kept our cabins and heads in pristine order. Tash, our delightful diligent chef is an imaginative delight, a real asset to the ship. Indy and Will clearly have talents in ship steerage! However, Indy's wild life knowledge and his enthusiasm to share, is when his true talent becomes infectious. We were so fortunate to get to St Kilda to witness a true world wonder of bird and cetacean variety and concentration brought to life with Indy's narrative. Hebrides Cruses is an exceptional experience, thank you.

Nigel Bartlett

2 June 2025

Everything, but everything, was first class.  The care we received was outstanding in all spheres.  Of course, you all did so much more than the following comments but these extras are very much part of what now warms my heart and makes me smile.  James greeting us as we landed ashore and on every return to Lucy Mary with his “welcome to…..”   Also for trying that little bit extra for me to see a St Kilda wren.  I heard it!  Abbie with her delightful “ you are very welcome…” when she served us yet another tea/coffee/or glass of something stronger. Tash personally serving the cheese after every delicious meal.  Indie’s leaping around, determined for us to see all the wildlife he could see. Will’s perfect and constant window cleaning.  Nothing slapdash ever.  The bond between the staff was obvious and really contributed to the enjoyment of a totally unforgettable holiday.  Well done to everyone on board Lucy Mary and to your staff ashore too.  THANK YOU!

Sue Bartlett

2 June 2025

We have just returned from a hugely successful and enjoyable 10 day trip on the Lucy Mary to the Outer Hebrides and St Kilda. We managed to find a weather window and had the most magical 24 hours at St Kilda. The Lucy Mary is a beautiful luxurious boat. We had the largest cabin which was very spacious and comfortable. Dining on board was fantastic. The wildlife guide was very knowledgable; always engaging with us and constantly on the look out for wildlife at sea and on the land. saw eagles, dolphins, whales, otters and much more.

Fraser Green

31 May 2025

This was our third annual cruise with this excellent family business, and our first on the Elizabeth G (previously we had been on the Lucy Mary), and we are already booked back on the Elizabeth G in 2026 to the Flannan Isles. Getting to St Kilda has been on our bucket list for a long time, and when the weather turned bad two days before we embarked, we were resigned to being lucky to even get to the Outer Hebrides. During the early bad patch, skipper Iain worked his magic to keep us away from the rough seas and winds, whilst finding us idyllic inlets to explore and overnight in, whilst Trinity our steward and Izzy our chef kept our minds off the weather with great food and great service. Onboard and on our daily trip ashore, our wildlife guide Gill kept finding loads of wildlife and plants to wonder at and be educated on, so spirits were actually quite high despite the weather, which alleviated slightly a day or so in and allowed us to run across to the Outer Hebrides, where the pattern of great food, great service and great nature spotting continued. And then, late in our ten day window of opportunity, skipper Iain gave us the great news that the weather had improved to the point where a dash out into the Atlantic was feasible, but only for a one night stay. The next day, and with an extra early start, we hunkered down while the Elizabeth G used her stabilisers to the full in what was still a bit of a swell to us landlubbers, such that we arrived a few hours later “shaken but not stirred” at St Kilda. After a quick lunch, we headed ashore for a magical 5 hour visit, with incredibly clear and sunny skies overhead from the moment we arrived on the island, with rain only starting to appear as we headed back to our floating hotel for our well deserved dinner. The following morning we toured the rest of the archipelago, and marvelled at the stacks and the impossibly large numbers of seabirds everywhere. The weather had continued to improve, and so a longish leg was agreed upon, taking us down to Barra and Vatersay where we spent our second last night before a trip ashore to enjoy the phenomenal beaches on Vatersay. Our penultimate day was a trip to Rum, and this was the only trip ashore in the whole 10 days where we were actually rained upon (for only half of our shore trip). Then finally back to Oban first thing on the last morning, leaving us all feeling that we didn’t want it to end, and also that it seemed that we had been out on our cruise for a very long time! While there were so many highlights on our cruise which added to the main event of St Kilda, one which will stay with us for a long time was when Iain handed control of steering the Elizabeth G to both of us in turn, and spent a good amount of his precious time educating us on all things maritime. Truly the crew make you feel that nothing you want is too much trouble, and their welcoming attitude, along with the excellent, different and always interesting discussions with the other passengers, gave a jovial, friendly and fun atmosphere to the whole escapade. We look forward very much to our 2026 Hebrides Cruises experience. See you again soon. John and Aileen MacLean.

John and Aileen MacLean

31 May 2025

What a fabulous, exciting and enjoyable holiday we had on the Elizabeth G thanks to the team on board. They were the most professional and flexible team and we highly recommend them. Despite the dreadful wind and rain at times we got to St Kilda safely and as comfortably as was possible. Iain planned the trip extremely carefully and made sure he had the boat in the best position possible when the weather window opened up to sail to St Kilda. Each day brought something new for us to see, different lochs, islands and wildlife we’d never been able to see from the land before. Gill alerted us to the wildlife and was on hand to talk about it and accompany us on guided walks if we chose to join. Iain slowed the boat for us to see the wildlife, when feasible. We’ll certainly never forget the Sea Eagles and the ‘Barra Boys’ - bottle nosed dolphins. The food was extraordinary. Yes, we have been very spoiled by the meals Izzy cooked, plus afternoon tea each day, and now face life without it! Trinity made sure our cabin was as comfortable and clean and tidy each day and discreetly learnt what our likes and dislikes were when serving and helping with all the meals, and was on hand for drinks and coffee for anything we needed in the day. Each evening after dinner Iain and Gill would talk with us about the day and where Iain was planning our journey for the next day. They both answered our questions with great patience and humour and we certainly felt our needs were more than met. We were travelling with a lovely group of passengers too. Iain and his team have made this a very special holiday for us to remember for ever. Thank you.

Louise & Steve Caines

1 July 2024

We had an excellent trip. The boat and food were lovely and the crew excellent. We weren't sure if we would get to St Kilda because of the weather, but the skipper knew exactly what to do to maximise our chances, and we did get there.

Andrew Roberts