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

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

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

This was my second trip with Hebrides Cruises. It was magical and I couldn’t have faulted any of it. Charlie was a great skipper making sure that we had the best possible experience. Will is very knowledgeable guide , who ensured we didn’t miss any crucial wildlife sightings. The upper deck on Emma Jane is great for bird and wildlife spotting. I spent many hours up there . Whilst we were enjoying ourselves , Chef Charlie and Yasmine were busy preparing delicious meals for us. Being able to get to and land on St Kilda was a very special and evocative experience, made even better as there were no day boats , so we had the island to ourselves along with those on Elizabeth G.

Mary Lea

1 July 2024

Morning Emma - Just wanted to say thank you for a lovely trip out to St Kilda at the beginning of the month. Charlie (Skipper) was brilliant at keeping us informed of weather changes and getting us out to St Kilda safely. I was a little apprehensive because we have never been that far out into the Atlantic before.  But I felt very safe and thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the sun even shone for us whilst we were on St Kilda.  Will was his usual smiley self. Will cheered me up no end with his offer of “Would you like a crunchie Debbie”. This has now become a standard phase in our house to make everything all right. Brilliant.  Jasmin was a delight and looked after us all brilliantly and her decoration of the boat with balloons for my birthday was really lovely along with the card. Thank you.  Charlie (Chef) fed us all very well and my birthday cake was lovely.  Thanks Emma, I hope the rest of the season goes well for you all.

D Ledgard

1 July 2024

Hi Emma - Thank you we had a fantastic time and its probably the best holiday we have ever had. We couldn’t fault the boat or the crew in any way and the only worry we have is that the bar has been set so high its difficult to know how to reach it never mind beat it again. However we will be back to cruise with you again as it was so good. I have to mention the crew we had, they were all, without exception, absolutely brilliant . Having Hannah with her knowledge and enthusiasm was a real bonus and as my wife is the real wildlife fan it made it for her, she spent so much time up on the bow with Hannah and a couple of the other guests I thought she wouldn’t come in for meals sometimes. However the draw of Mags meals did bring her in and it was excellent. I don’t know if we were lucky with the guests but everyone got on very well and it made the whole trip very enjoyable.  Thank you so much for giving us such a fantastic experience.
 

K McKechnie

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

1 July 2024

Emma extremely helpful.  The leadership and knowledge of our skipper, Charlie made the most of weather windows to ensure our St Kilda landing and managed our expectations so well. We learned so much and had so many opportunities, facilitated by Will and Charlie, together.  Meals were very well prepared and had strong Scottish character. Afternoon teas are impossible to resist.  It is clear that the company makes a special effort to make these events as stress free as possible.

Fiona Goudie