United Kingdom · 24 - 31 July 2027
Oban to Largs
Island-hopping adventure through Scotland's Inner Hebrides
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Overview
Sail Scotland's Inner Hebrides, from the gateway port of Oban to the Firth of Clyde. This route threads through some of the west coast's most spectacular and least-crowded sailing grounds, with whisky, wildlife and world-class anchorages along the way. Expect a flexible course shaped by wind, tide and the wishes of the crew. We will sail Mull's dramatic coastline, the sacred island of Iona, and (conditions permitting) Fingal's Cave on Staffa, with its basalt columns and sea-cave acoustics that once inspired Mendelssohn. Further south, Colonsay, Islay and Jura open up: think single malt at the source, golden eagles overhead, and the chance to drop anchor in Loch Tarbert on Jura, one of the most remote and beautiful anchorages on the west coast. The final days bring you through the Sound of Jura and Kilbrannan Sound, past Arran's peaks, and into the Clyde for a Largs finish. As with all Wavysail trips, you'll be an active member of the crew, you'll stand watches, work the sails, and learn pilotage through some genuinely committing tidal waters, all under the guidance of an experienced skipper, with a maximum of six guest crew places.
Highlights
Explore Staffa and Fingals Cave
Sail to Staffa and, conditions permitting, take the tender into Fingal's Cave — the vast basalt sea-cave whose eerie acoustics once inspired Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. Few visitors reach it under sail rather than on a day-tripper boat from Oban; you'll arrive at your own pace, with time to linger for puffins in season and the play of light on the columns.
Unspoiled Anchorages & Dramatic Coastlines
Islay and Jura are the beating heart of Scotch whisky, but the real prize is Loch Tarbert on Jura's west coast — a narrow, near-landlocked sea loch ringed by the Paps of Jura, and one of the most remote, dramatic anchorages on the entire west coast. Golden eagles, red deer and total silence come as standard
Sailing Adventure
This isn't a scenic cruise with sailing on the side. You'll stand watches, trim sails and learn to read some of Scotland's most committing tidal waters including the Sound of Jura, the Corryvreckan's near neighbours, the Kilbrannan Sound, under the eye of Fred Conradie.
Skippers
Fred Conradie
Fred Conradie has spent a lifetime chasing horizons, with sailing experience all over the world, from Mediterranean flotillas to a Round Britain expedition and the Cape Town to St Helena ocean passage. A Yachtmaster Ocean and Yachtmaster Instructor who has run RYA Training Centres for many years, Fred is known on board for calm, clear-headed leadership and a genuine love of tucking into quiet anchorages most sailors never find.
Itinerary
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Arrival and preparation
You'll join the boat in Oban on Saturday afternoon, meeting your skipper and the rest of the crew before settling into your cabin. Sunday is given over to preparing the yacht, provisioning, running through safety briefings, and getting familiar with the boat, so you're ready to cast off first thing Monday morning with everything and everyone shipshape.
Five days, exploring under sail
From Monday to Friday you'll be under sail through the Inner Hebrides, with the route shaped day to day by wind, tide, and what's worth seeing. Highlights on offer include Mull, Iona, Fingal's Cave on Staffa, Colonsay, Islay, and an anchorage in Loch Tarbert on Jura, one of the most remote and beautiful on the west coast. You'll stand watches, work the sails, and learn pilotage through some committing tidal waters, all under your skipper's guidance.
Arrival into Largs
You'll sail into Largs on Friday afternoon, with time that evening to relax and reflect on the week aboard. You'll stay on the yacht overnight in Largs, sharing a final meal together before disembarking after breakfast on Saturday morning
What's Included
What's Included
All food and drink (non-alcoholic) on board
Safety equipment including life-jackets.
All mooring and port entry fees for the boat.
• Hands on sailing, watch keeping, helming and opportunity to fully immerse in life on board.
Overnight accommodation onboard, your own bunk and bedding
• Waterproof Clothing available to hire
What's Not Included
• Travel to and from Oban
• Meals Ashore
• Entrance fees to visitor centres or distilleries
• Sailing & Travel Insurance
Gallery
You'll Be Staying Here
Deja Vue
Deja Vue is a Bavaria 46 — She's beautifully maintained and recently refitted with new mainsail, headsail, sprayhood and standing rigging. She is a capable, comfortable yacht for the kind of varied sailing the Scottish west coast demands, and is fully equipped for offshore work with radar, AIS, twin chart plotters and autopilot.
We have 4 sleeping cabins. Two generously sized doubles aft, an even larger double forward, and a twin bunk cabin to port. Four berths convert to sea-going bunks if conditions require.
On board comfort is a priority — two well-sized heads with showers, ducted warm air heating throughout for cosy nights at any time of year, and a spacious galley with two fridges. Life below decks centres on the large dining table, chart spread out and stories being swapped
Related Blog Posts
Read about our previous Scottish adventures
Heather Deary · Sat 16 Sep 2023
Wavysail Scottish Islands Adventure 2023
Heather joined Wavysail's first Scottish adventure this summer - read about her experience of sailing the coast of Scotland under the expert guidance of Jim Dobie.
FAQs
Do I need to be experienced in sailing?
We design the trips for a wide range of experience which means that even if you’ve not sailed, our experienced Skippers will ensure you have a fantastic time.
The longer legs will suit “mile builders” who already have some sailing qualifications, and we can spend time supporting you with everything from helming to sail trimming or passage planning as you wish!
Before you join, we’ll ask about your previous sailing experience and what you want to get out of the trip. That way, we’ll tailor the tour to your specific needs.
What's the cancellation policy?
The group size is kept very small on our trips which gives you a real ‘masterclass’ with our highly experienced Skippers. However, that means each place is valuable and we need full groups.
We ask for a 10% deposit to secure your berth, with the balance being due 6 weeks before departure.
If you cancel your place over 8 weeks out, the deposit is fully refundable. Between 6-8 weeks, we will retain the deposit.
If you cancel 6 weeks or less, the full price will be payable.
What should I bring?
We’ll share a kit-list which will be adapted to the trip you’re taking.
All bed linen is provided as well as safety equipment. You will need some decent deck shoes (or sailing boots), otherwise it’s layers of clothing adapted to the conditions you’re likely to encounter.
Bring a camera. If you want to bring a drone, let us know beforehand and bear in mind drones tend not to be waterproof and are carried / used at your own risk!
How adventurous is it?
We want everyone to get the most out of their time on board – so we’ll work around your wants.
However, our trips are designed for you to take an active role – that means, for example, we’ll take turns in cooking (all the menus are planned already and step by step instructions given, so you don’t need to be a masterchef!)
You can get tips and instruction on all aspects of sailing from our Skippers and get as involved as you want, grinding, trimming, helming and learning. On the other hand, there’s also plenty of time to relax and just take in the beautiful ocean scenery. It’s your trip!