Saint Kilda & Outer Hebrides Cruise

7-14 July 2025

In association with Hebridean Adventures. A seven-night expedition cruise, based on the live-aboard motor vessel Hjalmar Bjørge, with a maximum of ten passengers, embarking and disembarking in Oban.

Slow travel at its best, exploring the rich landscapes, culture and wildlife of the Hebrides. Our over-riding aim on this voyage will be to reach the remote and spectacular St Kilda archipelago, a renowned World Heritage Site, where we may anchor in Village Bay on the island of Hirta and endeavour to put you ashore. We will also cruise around Boreray and its stacks, home to the second largest colony of northern gannets in the world. If the weather is really against us, we may opt instead to explore other infrequently visited islands such as the Shiants. Exact itinerary is determined by local conditions and always at the discretion of the skipper.

The nature of this small live-aboard vessel means we can explore some of the most beautiful, remote and otherwise inaccessible locations, and see the jewels of Scotland from an entirely new angle, making the most of the long days of mid-summer. We will anchor somewhere sheltered each night, and most days you will be able to enjoy a walk ashore. Every voyage is different of course, each with its own special moments and encounters. While this is not a dedicated photography tour, there will undoubtedly be photo opportunities along the way, not least at some of the world’s most important seabird colonies.

On passage at sea we will get close to plenty more seabirds and probably a few cetaceans. There are puffins, gannets, manx shearwaters, storm-petrels, great skuas, fulmars, etc while golden and white-tailed eagle are both regularly seen. Cetaceans generally include harbour porpoise, common, bottlenose, white-beaked and Risso’s dolphin, minke whale (sometimes close enough to smell their breath), with occasional records of orca and humpback whale. Grey and common seals are plentiful, and there is a good chance of seeing otters. Basking sharks are also a possibility, and even rarer visitors such as ocean sunfish sometimes put in an appearance.

Chris will be sailing as your expedition leader, wildlife guide and photography mentor.

Group size: 10 persons max

Cost per person: £2450 per person, including seven nights full board, sharing a twin-berth cabin. (Single occupancy may be available for a supplement – please enquire).

Availability:  Fully booked

Further information
Email: info@hebrideanadventures.co.uk
Tel: 07871 463755