Sample Itineraries

Sample Itineraries

Due to the nature of sailing, our itineraries are never ‘set in stone’, but we’ve put together a couple of sample itineraries so that you get some idea of the places you can expect to visit.

Clyde Cruise – 4 Days

Day 1.

Leaving Ardrossan after your safety brief is completed and everything has been stowed, “Damsis” may head north towards Garroch Head, the rugged headland at the Southern tip of Bute. By keeping Little Cumbrae then Great Cumbrae to starboard, we’ll sail up the east coast of Bute and pick up a mooring in Kilchattan Bay or come alongside at Rothesay for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a leisurely sail up the East Kyle, perhaps staying overnight at Colintraive or on anchor in Loch Ridden.

Day 2

Day 2 may see us sailing past Tighnabruich and Kames on our way down the West Kyle, lunch may be on the move, or Stephen will find a sheltered bay to drop anchor. Depending on the weather, we may head up Loch Fyne to the beautiful fishing harbour of East Loch Tarbert, a must on any cruising itinerary. Arriving early afternoon should give you chance to have a wander round and explore the town and surrounding area. Walking up to the ruins of the castle is well worth the effort, the views over Tarbert harbour and across Loch Fyne are spectacular.

Day 3

Day 3 may see “Damsis” heading north again, sailing past Otter Spit and the Minard Narrows to Creggans or (by client request) up to the moorings at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, the renowned seafood shop and restaurant. We may stay here overnight, or may sail back down the Loch to Portavadie, a recently opened marina for our last overnight stay.

Day 4

Day 4 means homeward bound, but if there’s time for one last stop, we could call in at Millport on Great Cumbrae, or Brodick Bay on Arran, and pick up a mooring buoy for a leisurely lunch, before heading back to Ardrossan in time for you to make your homeward journeys.

Hebrides Cruise – 7 Days

With 7 days at our disposal, we can afford to stretch our sea legs and head further afield, the Inner Hebrides are an ideal destination for a weeklong cruise.

Day 1

Day 1, we would leave Ardrossan and would either sail south of Arran heading for Campbeltown for our first stop, where we wait for the tide to take us ‘round the corner’. Or, if the tides were favourable, we’d sail straight for Islay. This may make for a long day, but the spectacular scenery whilst rounding the Mull of Kintyre and passing Sanda Island will keep everyone enthralled.

Day 2

Assuming we’ve made landfall at Islay in one trip, Day 2 would be yours to explore the island, with eight distilleries producing some of Scotland’s finest malts, and the towns of Bowmore and Port Ellen to wander around, plus the last remaining Celtic High Cross at Kildalton (some 1200 years old), there’s plenty to see and do.

Day 3

Day 3 would probably see “Damsis” catching the northbound tide to sail up to Craighouse on the Isle of Jura, a rugged island renowned for deer stalking and hill walking across its three paps. This is a short sail and would have us picking up a mooring buoy in time to get ashore for a late lunch or evening meal in the Craighouse Hotel. If our guests wish, we can also arrange a visit to the Isle of Jura distillery.

Day 4

Day 4 and we leave Jura behind, with an early tide we may sail across the Sound of Jura and head up Loch Caolisport. Anchoring for lunch, there may be time to dinghy ashore and see St Columba’s cave near Cove on the NW shore of the loch. With settled weather, we would perhaps stay on anchor overnight and eat on board, whilst enjoying the perfect peace and delightful surroundings.

Day 5

Day 5 would perhaps involve an early start for ‘Damsis’ to catch the south-going tide to take us to the beautiful island of Gigha. Ardminish Bay is a perfectly sheltered anchorage in all but Easterly winds, and if all the mooring buoys are taken, its clear waters and sandy bottom make anchoring the yacht a doddle. Gigha is small but perfectly formed and can be cycled or walked across comfortably in an afternoon.

Day 6

Day 6, and it’s back ‘round the corner’ and into the Firth of Clyde. With an early tide, we may find ourselves in Campbeltown by lunchtime, with plenty of opportunity to explore the town if we didn’t stopover on our outbound journey.

Day 7

Day 7 with 35 miles back to Ardrossan, it would be another early start to get everyone back in time for packing up and making your homeward journeys.