A sailboat with red sails floating on calm water under a partly cloudy sky with the sun shining through the clouds.
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20 Islay & Its Neighbours —

Whisky, Wildlife & the Last Voyage of the Season

There is no better way to end a sailing season than with a voyage to Islay — one of the most distinctive, characterful and celebrated islands in the whole of Scotland.

Islay is world-famous for its richly peated whisky, and a visit to one of its legendary distilleries is an experience in itself. But there is so much more to this island than what's in the glass. Ancient standing stones and early Christian crosses speak to thousands of years of human history. Hill walks, wildlife-rich coastline, welcoming villages and some of the finest beaches in the Hebrides complete the picture.

And the journey is every bit as rewarding as the destination. Sailing there and back, we'll weave through Islay's remarkable neighbours — each island with its own distinct personality, its own hidden anchorages and its own reasons to linger a little longer.

DATE: 27 SEPTEMBER - 2 OCTOBER 2027
DURATION:
5 nights
EMBARK:
CRAOBH HAVEN
DISEMBARK:
CRAOBH HAVEN
PRICE: £1,295
SPACES:
AVAILABLE

View from the deck of a historic wooden sailing ship with a large red sail, overlooking a body of water and lush green hills under a blue sky with scattered white clouds.
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A man on a sailboat is handling a thick rope on the deck, with a view of the ocean and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
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People on a sailboat adjusting sails with a scenic landscape and cloudy sky in the background.
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Via our enquiry form — we'll confirm availability by email

One of the best things about sailing off the west of Scotland is that it's always different. The combination of wind and waves are constantly changing the look and feel of everywhere we go. The seasons too play a part. Early autumn is often the most beautiful time to visit. The days are a little shorter but the light can be astonishing with glorious sunsets and the subtle changes to the colours on shore.

To the east of Mull we can call in at the Garvellach Islands.  This little group of rocky outcrops are thought to be composed of the oldest rock to be found anywhere on the surface of the planet. The most southerly of these islands also has the remains of a thousand year old beehive monetary.  From here we could continue up the Sound of Mull, passing castles and beautiful lighthouses along the way.  We could stop for a distillery tour at Nc Nean or drop in at Tobermory, the pretty wee town at the north end of the Island. Heading west we can explore Ulva and Gometra. These islands have just a few intrepid inhabitants and are great places for a wander. A little further south we'll anchor off Staffa and go ashore to explore Fingal's Cave.  This amazing cathedral like chasm was formed over thousands of years.  It's almost hard to believe that its towering basalt columns are a natural occurrence. A little further south we'll stop at Iona. This is a magical island steeped in Celtic and early Christian history.  From here we'll swoop back along the south coast of Mull maybe stopping at Colonsay or Jura along the way. Over the last few years we've had some great weather at this time of year with the most stunning sunsets. As always there will be as many opportunities as you would like to get involved.  The crew will be absolutely delighted to show you the tricks and techniques that we use to make the boat go more or less where we want. And as always there's no pressure. Everything happens pretty slowly and the important tasks of having tea and cake, enjoying great company and generally unwinding are never overlooked.

SAIL TUITION: ALL LEVELS
FULLY CREWED
PRIVATE CHEF
DOLPHIN/WHALE SPOTTING
EXPLORING ON SHORE
GREAT FOR ADVENTURERS
PRIVATE CABINS
SAILING INSURANCE
WEATHER LED/NOT ITINERARY LED
HANDS ON TRADITIONAL SAILING
WORKING WOODEN SAILING BOAT
GREAT FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

DESTINATIONS WE MAY VISIT:-

Isla
Ulva
Gometra
Staffa
Mull
Colonsay
Jura

Map of Scotland including islands such as the Isle of Gigha, Isle of Kintyre, Isle of Arran, and locations like the Sound of Jura, Loch Lomond, and the city of Glasgow.
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What our guests say:

An old, blank postcard with a vintage postmark and a postage stamp in the top right corner, with no handwritten message or address.
An old, blank postcard with a vintage postmark and a postage stamp in the top right corner, with no handwritten message or address.

“Every aspect of sailing Provident is a great adventure.”

Back side of a vintage postcard with a purple Italian postage stamp and a postal cancellation mark.
Back side of a vintage postcard with a purple Italian postage stamp and a postal cancellation mark.

“We had a fantastic time, with a mix of wind at the start and still conditions which were ideal for dolphin and whale watching later on.”