Our 10-night epic St Kilda and Outer Hebrides cruise with Chris Gomersall, which departed on July 16th, was an outstanding success in terms of wildlife seen, anchorages and stopovers. It was an excellent cruise for spotting cetaceans, with 9 minke whale sightings, three pods of common dolphins, bottlenose dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, white-beaked dolphin and harbour porpoise. In addition, 2 basking sharks were seen and close views of an otter cub at an anchorage in Loch Nevis late one evening. It was also an amazing success in terms of bird life, with a total of 83 species of birds seen. Bird highlights included both golden and white-tailed eagles, and sooty shearwaters at sea.
Anchorages on this cruise started out on Tobermory, Mull; and included Vatersay (linked by a causeway to Barra); then Fladday, off Skye; the St Kilda Archipelago (2 nights); Leverburgh, Isle of Harris; Loch Rodal, Isle of Harris; the Shiant Isles; Loch Seaforth (the boundary between Harris and Lewis); Portree, Isle of Skye; Loch Nevis, Lochaber; Canna, the Small Isles; Loch Scresort, Rum, the Small Isles; Fishnish, the Sound of Mull
All absolutely wonderful! The crew – Skipper Angus, boatswain Callum, chef Charlie and guide Sam – were friendly, courteous, and 100% competent at all times, and simply great company, in whom we had complete confidence. Angus skilfully navigated us around scenic and wildlife-rich sites that were more or less sheltered from the somewhat persistent south-westerlies, with tranquil anchorages, and was always willing to let us peer at his seabed charts along our route (Loch Sunnart > N. Ardnamurchan > Inverie > Rum > Tobermory > Strontian > Sunnart > Ulva > around S. Mull, including Iona, to Lochbuie, then Loch Spelve > Oban). Lots of enjoyable walks along the way, enlivened by Sam’s amazing ability to spot wildlife and his encyclopaedic knowledge thereof – a highly experienced guide who added enormously to our enjoyment. Charlie magicked up delicious, wholesome meals in her tiny galley, and Callum got us safely anchored, on and off the tender and completed the cheerful company. Great Team!
Peter Skelton: 28 July 2022Private Charter 10 Nights