23 April 2022
This must be one of the most relaxing holidays I have ever been on. A lifelong ambition was fulfilled be visiting Staffa and seeing Fingal's Cave and it was every bit as spectacular as I had hoped. Not only did we walk down the route to it to look into it but, thanks to Chris judging the tide to be right, he was able to get us right inside it. Iona and its abbey were impressive too of course and being able to land on Lunga in the Treshnish Islands and see the seabird colonies - puffins galore - was equally marvellous. The sail round Mull was an eye-opener too, seeing lochs from the sea rather than from the land. They were wonderful locations to spend the nights. And the weather was glorious. The wildlife was in abundance too with lots of seabirds and seals and good sightings of cetaceans. Bottle-nosed dolphins were the first up to bow-wave and we also had 4 or 5 Minke whales fishing and a few porpoises, but the most spectacular were over 100 Common Dolphins which came leaping from all directions to accompany us for over an hour. The hospitality on board was as friendly as ever on a Hebrides Cruises's trip thanks to Chris, Craig, Zoe and Sian with her delicious meals. Add to that very compatible fellow-travellers and no WiFi (so no gloomy news) and this was a holiday to be long treasured in the memory.
Helen Mainwood
This was a superb holiday, travelling solo with strangers on board the Emma Jane. Some were experienced cruisers; others, like me, new to the experience. The group was friendly and I think everyone managed to do as much or as little as they chose to – joining Will on his fascinating wildlife walks, ambling along the tow path or just watching the view change from an easy chair as we moved along the canal and lochs. The crew made a great team - from James' handling of the boat through flights of locks, Helen's watchful care of us and our cabins, Ruth's amazing cooking (for me, the best vegan food I've ever been served.) The weather was lovely, I saw almost everything I hoped to see and lot more I didn't know was there, I enjoyed the informality and peace of it all. I wouldn't have been able to do this without the waiver a single supplement, so thanks to Hebrides Cruises for that.
Lesley Hale: 21 September 2019Loch Linnhe, the Caledonian Canal & Loch Ness