24 June 2019
We’re just back from a superb 10-night cruise aboard Elizabeth G. It’s our latest trip with Rob and his crew. With en-suite cabins now it’s even more of a luxury trip. Not that we spent much time in the cabin - instead we were generally found on the top observation deck, watching shearwaters dance across the waves, fulmars shoot past effortlessly, gannets flying in squadron-formation and panicky puffins duck beneath our wake. We’re enticed down for two reasons: bow-riding dolphins, when we hang over the bow sharing the excitement and energy of this spectacle with our fellow guests, and food: Mags was our cook preparing fabulous meals with local ingredients, including scallops hand-dived by our skipper, Rob. It was at dinner each evening that Rob would discuss the next day’s itinerary, balancing our wishes with the weather and his incredible knowledge of the most picturesque anchorages. Each day saw us exploring a new island with the help of Nigel our wildlife guide, taken ashore by Rob and Bosun Craig in the tender. And we even got to St Kilda. St Kilda is a unique place with a magical atmosphere; an atmosphere that lingers in part because of its remoteness. Rob found the weather window to allow a 2-night stay and it was here, on our trip round the stacs, that guests and crew came together on the front deck to gaze in awe at the thousands of seabirds around us. As we disembarked, a little sadly, in Oban on our last day I couldn’t help wonder how soon we’ll get the urge to return...
Catrin Lester
I have to give the weather a dishonourable mention - it tried its best to disrupt our cruise, but as always, the crew onboard the Emma Jane just got on with their tasks and gave us all a memorable cruise ! I think they secretly like the challenges presented !! Some of the unexpected diversions and anchorages were a real treat, bringing the crew and guests together into a big happy group of people, strangers to start with perhaps, but everyone of them were good friends by the end. A great cruise !! I must give the crew their own name checks : Jake - a new member of the Hebrides Cruises family, but already a star, introducing little ‘extras’ when we were in the rib, he obviously put a lot of thought into providing us with the best ! Lynsey - a fabulous wildlife guide, and a fabulous friend if I may claim that honour. Charlie - superb chef, what wonderful meals we were served with, beans on toast at home just doesn’t cut it anymore ???? Jasmin - nothing was ever too much trouble, everything was always in the right place, spotless, and those table designs, amazing ! Perhaps even of more importance than all the obvious skill sets possessed, was the sense of fun, positivity and friendship shown. Marks out of ten for the crew and the cruise ?? Why, 11 of course !! A great big thankyou from me for a great time.
Steve Lloyd: 21 June 2025Skye, the Small Isles and the Shiants