18 September 2023
The best way of telling you what a marvellous time I had on this cruise is that I have arrived home and promptly booked another for next year, 8 nights instead of 6, on the “Lucy Mary” again! From ease of booking with Emma to arriving back in Oban on the final day, everything was given careful attention in order to ensure the trip was a special one. The boat, “Lucy Mary”, is extremely comfortable, well-equipped and of a design enabling me to spend hours with binoculars looking out over the sea or mountains in the hope of spotting wildlife, whether outside in the sun or snugly inside in the rain or wind! An important feature is the presence of a wildlife spotter, Indy, whose knowledge and enthusiasm enabled me to notice and identify many animals, birds and plants that I would not have seen by myself. This was also greatly contributed to by skipper Rob’s ability to take us to the ideal places to see the wildlife, as well as beautiful and spectacular scenery and buildings. In addition he chose routes suited to the weather conditions, and ensured that all of our wishes were considered. The food prepared by chef Perry was really excellent, with exceptionally good and varied vegetarian dishes for me. We had beautifully presented fresh fruit included at every breakfast, and fresh cakes or cookies to greet us on our afternoon returns to the boat after onshore visits. These excursions were varied and interesting, with a high degree of flexibility to satisfy all of us. Last but not least, Abbie kept all the accommodation on board clean and neat, adding many nice touches such as prettily-folded napkins, plus all the hard work involved in serving the food, cleaning the cabins and many other tasks. All the crew were friendly, cheerful and skilful. There are many more complimentary things I could say but really I’d just like to thank all of you for a uniquely memorable holiday.
Stephanie
18 September 2023
Well! Where does one start to describe such a phenomenal adventure. As a couple of old folk, well into their eighties, with one of us disabled and only recently diagnosed with dementia. You may wonder what on earth were we doing, taking on a small vessel wild life cruise into the seas around the Hebrides. An act of Faith, maybe. Fear not! This is no ordinary “cruise company”. Read on, this is something else. From the very onset, when first contacting Emma, (and before realising we had a dementia situation) , we were treated with immense respect, given prompt very sincere answers to all our queries and immediately realised we were dealing with a very genuine company and warm people. We could do this! So it proved to be. All the guidance and joining information was detailed, accurate and very helpful. On arrival at North Pier, Oban, prior to boarding, we were met by the most friendly of people who promptly took our luggage and conveyed it to our boat, LucyMary. And there she was! The most handsome of vessels, gleaming and awaiting her guests, whilst laid alongside the pontoons. We felt like royalty. At the foot of the companionway stood owner Rob, waiting to greet his guests. No, not captain, skipper, or the like, simply Rob. The head of what was for the duration, a close knit group of guests and crew who blended together seamlessly into one very happy family the whole trip. The crew of four were simply brilliant. Starting with Rob, of course. Then in no particular order - Indie, our extraordinary and knowledgeable naturalist and wild life expert. Abbie, delightful, ever accommodating stewardess, who looked after everyone with continuous attention. Serving meals, making drinks, tidying cabins, fetching and carrying. Then , the chef! Perry. Wow, what he produced in the galley was exquisite. But, it didn’t stop there. All of the crew joined in where appropriate with any other duties too. Launching the tender for trips ashore, putting fenders in position prior to berthing alongside, ensuring the cables were correctly placed on the quayside and boat. All very professional, with few words of command. A “well run ship”indeed. Very impressive. So we set sail. Lucy Mary smoothly glided away from the jetty. This was our boat now for six glorious nights. Go where you like on the boat, said Rob. On the Flying Bridge, the Wheelhouse, numerous seating and lookout areas, up in the Bow. Fabulous! No sooner were we out of the harbour, when the ever vigilant naturalist Indie was pointing out something interesting. He has a very keen eye, at times you would think he had an in built radar system, such was his skill at spotting even distant specks which invariably turned out, at closer quarters, to be precisely what he said. Gannets, Shag, Gulls of various types, Grey heron, Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles, Otters, Red deer. Porpoise, etc. he was constantly on the alert for anything of interest. Rob and Indie, frequently had their heads together, plotting and planning the most interesting and potentially rewarding locations in which wildlife could be seen, all the time noting the sea and wind conditions for a comfortable trip, culminating in an interesting and calm harbour in which to moor up or drop anchor overnight. Then, as evening approached, everyone was contemplating Dinner. What surprise would Perry conjure up tonight? His magic in the galley was a delight. And so we eventually turned in. To our very cosy, heated, well equipped cabin, en-suite and well endowed with storage space. Next morning, everyone was at breakfast by 8am. Eagerly awaiting Rob’s latest info on weather conditions and any changes to the plan for the day. Throughout our entire trip, the consideration, thoughtfulness and attention given to everyone on board was exemplary. Nothing was too much trouble. As for the two older folk, they had the most fabulous time and were very well looked after all the time. This was really a stand out trip for us, amongst several special experiences abroad over the years. Our profound thanks again to an outstanding crew, wonderful fellow guests and by no means forgetting Emma, on shore, for her valued contribution. God Bless and “Carry on sailing, the HebridesCruises way” A remarkable maritime family. Mike and Margaret
Mike & Margaret Knighton
16 September 2023
Hi Emma - Just wanted to pass on our sincere thanks for what was an amazing cruise. Way beyond anything we expected just so many fantastic memories made. A big thank you to the crew Bryn was a great skipper had complete faith in him even in the bad weather !! Kept us up to date and just an Allround great bloke. Charlie the chef well what’s not to say the food was just mind blowing she must be a great credit to your business MASTER CHEF CHAMPION !!!! Craig the bosun so hard working great for a chat couldn’t do more for us during our time and always there to help and sort anything brilliant. And last but not least Lindsay our guide what a lady she found us so much wildlife it was unbelievable and to see her so excited and enthusiastic was a treat, The moment the Minkie whale breached for about the 6th time she was jumping up and down like a kid in a sweet shop !!! Thank you again we will certainly be recommending the cruise to family and friends and hopefully will book again soon. Kind Regard - Martin Burrett
Martin Burnett
24 September 2022
Dear Emma - We think back to our cruise with so much pleasure and joy!! The hospitality was an incredible experience. The crew took wonderful care of us and the atmosphere on board was obviously highly professional, but also fantastically cheerful. Tailor-made service by Craig, superb and very varied meals (we all would have liked to take Michelle home with us, her cooking was sensational). What can I say…. Perfection!!
Christine Lepine
24 September 2022
Felt we were in safe hands with Chris at the helm. Lynsey was an excellent guide, friendly and patient and was knowledgeable about local areas, habitats and wildlife. Without her the trip would have been a much poorer experience. Craig was efficient, friendly, thoughtful and unobtrusive. Michelle produced excellent meals as well as being friendly and professional. I would have brought them both home with me if I could!
Carol Kelly
24 September 2022
Very easy to book with great communication from Emma with any enquiries. Fantastic scenery every day! Crew amazing in every way! Brilliant walks and onshore excursions! Do it!! You will have such a brilliant time. This was our first ever cruise and we could not have enjoyed it more.
Colin Coutts
17 September 2022
A wonderful trip. The scenery was breath taking. Superb wildlife sightings including close encounters with bottlenosed dolphins,sea eagles,common dolphins and otters. The onshore trips were excellent. We were not as strong walkers as the other guests, but Zoe arranged separate walks that suited us. On two of these she gave us a walkie talkie, and on Eigg Chris, the skipper, lead us on a lovely walk. The crew were very good at heping us to get on and off the tender. I thought I would find this difficult, but there was no problem at all. The anchorages were great, so peaceful.
D Berry
3 September 2022
Firstly, we would like to say a big thank you to all the crew on our cruise as they were just fantastic and so helpful, they made it so enjoyable. It was also nice to see you on the dock on our return. It was all just amazing!
Barbara Parker
18 September 2021
This was a wonderful experience! We had debated for some time about the cruise and after Covid thought “what the hell!” It was brilliant in every way- the crew were a wonderful bunch intent on giving us a great adventure- they succeeded! Fabulous wildlife, amazing meals, a really good group who gelled well despite being mixed in terms of ability and outlook.Great fun and looked after so well.
Sally Bates
18 September 2021
I just wanted to ask you to pass on our thanks to Rob and the crew for a fabulous trip last week, my dad and i enjoyed it very much and want to book something soon for 2023. The consideration and support given was excellent , not to mention the outstanding food.
Adrian Hyner
The cruise area is an amazing hub for wildlife with the opportunity for close encounters with many rare species on land and at sea, while journey times to intriguingly different anchorages and locations are short. The area is extremely scenic, taking in the “Small Isles” of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck, and the magnificent sea lochs of Loch Spelve on the Isle of Mull and remote Loch Sunart and Kentra Bay on Ardnamurchan. In May, puffins are nesting on the Isle of Canna and many other seabird species are gathered in nesting “cities” along the rocky coastlines where both golden and sea eagles are often seen circling overhead. At sea, there is a chance of orca, and humpback whale, while minke whale, dolphins and porpoise are spotted from the ship on almost every cruise. In late summer and autumn, the shoals of mackerel attract cetaceans and sea birds in large numbers, making it a great time to be at sea, spotting dolphins, porpoises and minke whales. At the same time, Manx shearwaters can be seen in huge rafts on the surface of the sea, while bird populations such as gannets and eagles are at their highest, with the young most visible before they depart to find their own territory. Seals, otters and red deer are around all season but with the addition of the sounds of the annual red deer rut in progress in the autumn months. On shore, there are excellent island and loch-side guided walking opportunities, with expert local knowledge on hand from the crew and to top it all, delicious food from your gourmet chef on your return.
You have the most amazing company. James was fantastic - so strong and dependable and knowlegable but a nice sense of humour- and of course despite our best efforts managed to spot sea critters before us all the time. I meant to tell him how much we enjoyed meeting his parents- we really connected with them and had a great time. Caroline is a great find- so tall and beautiful and the most amazing cook - and never phased by working in a galley on a boat - always so happy and friendly - and Emma looked as if she was born at sea- so at ease on a boat and seemed to be everywhere helping everyone- and such a lovely smile and so friendly. Those two seemed to get along so well together. And Chris always up on the top deck scanning for birds and sea critters with his binoculars and a wealth of information.
Tania Wallace: 19 May 2018Skye and the Small Isles: Hebridean horizons