On this voyage, we explore the Inner and Outer Hebrides, with a focus on the more remote Outer Hebrides. We begin in Oban in the south and travel to Ullapool in the north, aiming to visit as many places as possible in the Outer Hebrides along the way – weather permitting. With ten days at sea, we can take our time. The Hebrides are renowned for their mild climate and spectacular scenery, their rich history, and abundant wildlife, from dolphins to puffins. Traveling in April puts us ahead of the tourist crowds; there are no midges yet, and the weather is spring-like and relatively dry: April is the driest month in Scotland.
The very comfortable and well-equipped sailing ship “The Flying Dutchman”—all cabins have en-suite bathrooms, heating, and air conditioning—is the perfect vessel for this gentle journey through the multifaceted history and present of the Scottish islands. The crew has been exploring this region for years, Birgit Lutz has also been sailing here for five years, and with a maximum of 20 guests, our group is just the right size for relaxed travel. A second guide further strengthens the crew, allowing us to plan shore excursions with great flexibility.
The relaxed pace of travel, the unexpected diversity of Scotland that never fails to inspire, the fascinating history and the pleasant encounters with Scottish locals: The landscape is both rugged and gentle, you’ll find steep cliffs and beaches like in the Caribbean, and you’ll be warmly welcomed in small towns.
Conclusion: A rare opportunity to discover the Outer Hebrides in particular and to linger in the most beautiful places!
The Flying Dutchman is a seaworthy, luxurious two-masted topsail schooner, built in 1903. She underwent a complete refit in 2003 and was converted into a comfortable and welcoming passenger sailing ship. Extensive modern safety and navigation technology has since enabled the Flying Dutchman to sail all over the world. She has crossed the oceans several times in recent years, sailing to Croatia, Ireland, and Cape Verde.
A voyage on the tall ship Flying Dutchman is a fantastic way to discover the captivating scenery, picturesque fishing villages, and secluded bays of Scotland. The Flying Dutchman is large enough for a comfortable stay and small enough to explore hidden gems. Sailing is one of the oldest ways to travel; it is also environmentally friendly and perfectly suited to Scotland. We won’t always be able to sail to reach every place we want to see, but when it is possible, it’s a truly
unique experience! No sailing experience is necessary – the experienced crew will give you instructions and are happy to show you everything. It’s also great fun to pull on the ropes together!
Flight from your home airport to Glasgow.
Overnight stay in a hotel at Glasgow airport.
After breakfast, we travel to Oban by organized bus transfer. The rest of the day is free to explore Oban. Our embarkation on the FLYING DUTCHMAN takes place at 6:00 PM. After a safety briefing, we enjoy our first dinner on board the FLYING DUTCHMAN and watch as our ship leaves the port of Oban and sets course for the Hebrides.
Conditions permitting, we aim to visit as many destinations as possible in the Outer Hebrides. Starting from Oban, for example, we can sail to the southernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides, Vatersay and Mingulay, Barra with its beach airport, Loch Boidsdale, the main center of South Uist, Lochmaddy on North Uist, Norton and its sandy beaches in the Sound of Harris, the island of Scalpay with the picturesque Eilean Glas lighthouse, the town of Tarbert, famous for its Harris Tweed, the deserted Shiant Islands, and finally the north of the island of Lewis and Harris with its main town of Stornaway.
We can also visit the Isle of Skye, with its wonderful Dunvegan Castle and castle gardens, or the picturesque village of Tobermory.
Should conditions be stormier and the stay on the Outer Hebrides shorter, there are plenty of other beautiful destinations on the Inner Hebrides: west of the Isle of Mull, the small islands of Staffa and Iona, for example, or the island of Rúm with its strangely fascinating Kinloch Castle and the Isle of Canna with its beautiful sandy beaches.
After a final breakfast on board, the organized bus transfer from Ullapool to Inverness takes place. Afterwards, passengers return from Inverness Airport to their respective home airports.
All planned landings are dependent on local weather conditions. Changes to the itinerary and program are expressly reserved. Completion of various questionnaires is mandatory.
Furthermore, we are obliged to point out that this trip is generally not suitable for people with reduced mobility. However, please contact us to discuss your specific situation.
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