Sailing Adventures
Join us aboard Stravaigin for a fully guided trip where we use the yacht as a base to take us to some fantastic and remote places to share with you our other passions of Hill-walking; Wild-swimming and Paddle boarding.
On these dedicated trips we will be joined for the whole trip by fellow experienced guides to let you experience in a safe and encouraging way these sports.
Wild-swimmingOf course, on any of our trips we can always swim off the yacht when at anchor in fact with John the Skipper being a fully qualified snorkel instructor has a real passion for wild swimming, so we actively encourage this. However, we feel these trips go that bit further and have wild swimming at their core so these trips are close to his heart. We will be joined by a qualified and experienced expert to guide and coach you, and if you would like some expert pointers on technique while being fully supported with safety craft cover, then of course back to Stravaigin for that all important warm shower and don’t forget the cake. We will sail between anchorages each day allowing the opportunity to wild swim in some hard-to-reach locations with the comfort and safety of a yacht to return to. Take a look at our wild swim trips for example itineraries.
Hill-walking
John the skipper is a fully qualified mountain leader and has been lucky enough to lead trips all around the world both independently and for some very prestigious global companies e.g., National Geographic and likes nothing better than heading ashore to climb the coastal hills. Being on a boat gives us a unique starting point, a wonderfully different perspective. And of course, a welcome return aboard for coffee and cake before we either sail to the next location or anchor under the stars and share the delights of the day with perhaps a dram or two.
On these trips we will be joined by one of our fellow qualified and experienced guides, to share with us these wild places. They have an extensive knowledge of the area including Scottish history, wildlife, flora and fauna and like nothing better than sharing this wealth of information, myth and some legends, maybe even a tall tale or two.
Wild Food & Foraging
Our guide Heather, a member of the Association of Foragers was brought up to appreciate nature’s wild larder, particularly on her many sailing and walking adventures over the decades.
Heather loves to share her knowledge and expertise in the wild foods that abound and the culinary delights that can be sustainably collected and sourced locally. Guests can enjoy exploring the anchorages, hills and hidden gems, whilst learning about the abundance of Scottish Species and delicious wild treats that can enhance a welcome meal back on board.
Heather and John savour the opportunity to create sumptuous meals for their guests and being able to use Scottish wild ingredients adds an extra dimension with a rich tapestry of flavours and textures. After a day on the water and exploring Scotland’s beautiful coast being able to share such a meal together is a real treat.
Explore our sailing adventure trips below.
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Wild Swimming Skye and the Small Isles
Trip Description
Our suggested itinerary for this trip will depart and return to Mallaig a great stepping off point to access some world class wild swimming locations.
On this cruise we will swim in company with 4 guests and swim guide, full support and safety cover by paddle board and or inflatable tender, Swimming twice a day sailing between breath taking locations and anchoring every night in a different spot.
Trip will be over 8 days /7 nights you’ll get a chance to swim around Island castles and visit and swim to the islands of Skye, Rum, Eigg, Canna, Soay and Muck as well as some hard-to-reach mainland swim spots In Moidart and Knoydart.
Whether you’re an experienced swimmer or just want to give it a go and see what all this fuss is about come join us, we can’t guarantee you won’t be hooked.
Trip starts at Mallaig on Sunday afternoon where we meet at the pontoons a short walk from the railway station so travel to and from is easy in fact if you choose to join us by train your holiday has most definitely started already as the world famous West Highland Line has been ranked amongst the most picturesque train rides in the world, (not to mention the Harry Potter connections).
After an introduction to the boat and crew, a safety brief we will have a short sail to a local anchorage to get our sea legs and let you get to know your home for the next week.
The format for the week will be after breakfast we up anchor and sail to our first swim site, enjoy a group supported swim, returning to the yacht warming up with coffee and cake while we sail to our second swim site and overnight anchorage. Where else could you swim stunning locations get straight out into a warm shower, before settling down to a home cooked hot meal of local sustainable produce, sit back watch the sunset, recall stories under the blanket of the stars. Then we repeat this in different locations each day before returning back to Mallaig and onward travel connections.
The weather and swim safety is always in charge for all our cruises so itineraries may be subject to change and the skipper will decide when and where we sail, the beauty of this area is we have an almost unlimited set of beautiful spots we can use.
Of course, you can opt to sit out any swim and stay aboard or hop into the safety tender during the swim.
Planned/suggested itinerary
Day1: Meet Mallaig – Sail to local Anchorage.
Day2: Sail--Swim Glenuig—Sail—swim/anchor Castle Tioram Loch Moidart
Day3: Sail—Swim Isle of Eigg – Sail—Swim/Anchor Isle of Muck
Day 4: Sail—Swim Isle of Rum—Sail—Swim/Anchor Isle of Canna
Day 5: Sail – Swim Isle of Soay—Sail—Swim/Anchor Loch Scavaig Isle of Skye
Day 6: Swim Loch Coruisk Isle of Skye – Sail – Swim/Anchor “desert Island anchorage” Loch Eishart Isle of Skye.
Day 7: Sail –Swim Camas Daraich Isle of Skye – Sail -- Swim/Anchor Loch Nevis, Knoydart
Day 8: Sail --- return to Mallaig approx. 12:00 for onward Travel.
What's included in the price
7 nights/ 8days on board
All on-board meals and snacks (unlimited cake!).
Accompanied by qualified Swim Guide.
Safety boat swim cover.
Swim tow float supplied if required.
All harbour and marina fees
Fuel
Gas
No hidden extras! -
Hiking Skye and the Small Isles
Trip Description
Trip starts at Mallaig on Sunday afternoon where we meet at the pontoons a short walk from the railway station so travel to and from is easy in fact if you choose to join us by train your holiday has most definitely started already as the world famous West Highland Line has been ranked amongst the most picturesque train rides in the world, (not to mention the Harry Potter connections).
After an introduction to the boat and crew, and safety brief we will have a short sail to our first night’s anchorage to get our sea legs and let you get to know your home for the next week.
The format for the week will be that we sail between Islands and remote mainland bays from where we will go ashore with our qualified guide for a chosen walk on return to the boat after the all important coffee and cake we will set sail to our next Anchorage and repeat this pattern of daily excursions each night spent at anchor under a blanket of the stars. Dram or hot chocolate in hand recounting the days adventure, planning and looking forward to the next.
Your comfort and safety are always at the top of our priority list so exact itineraries may vary to account for wind and weather, however we are most certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to places to visit.
Planned/suggested itinerary
Day1: Meet Mallaig 15:00 – Sail & Anchor Isle of Eigg.
Day2: Walk--Sail/ Anchor Isle of Canna
Day3: Walk--Sail/ Anchor Isle of Skye
Day 4: Walk--Sail/ Anchor Isle of Rum
Day 5: Walk--Sail/ Anchor Barrisdale
Day 6: Walk--Sail/ Anchor Loch Nevis, Knoydart
Day 7 return to Mallaig approx. 12:00 for onward Travel.
What's included in the price
6 nights/ 7days on board
All on-board meals and snacks (unlimited cake!).
Accompanied by a qualified Mountain Guide.
All harbour and marina fees
Fuel
Gas
No hidden extras! -
Wild Food & Foraging
Our suggested Itinery for these trips:-
