FAMILY SAILING HOLIDAYS
Family Sailing Holidays in Scotland
Take the helm, haul the sails and spot dolphins together, aboard a 100-year-old sailing ship on Scotland's west coast.
A week on Provident is something the whole family does together. Everyone gets a turn on the wheel, everyone helps hoist the sails, and every evening you drop anchor somewhere new.
There are two ways to bring your family aboard, depending on your children's ages.
12+
JOIN A SCHEDULED VOYAGE
Children aged 12 and over can join any of our voyages, sailing alongside other guests in a small, friendly group.
Joining a voyage with children aged 12 and over
The forepeak is Provident's biggest cabin. It has a small double, a standard single and an extra single across the bow, so it works well for a family of three or four.
Family of three: the third place in the forepeak is half price, so three of you sail for the price of two and a half.
Family of four: get in touch and we'll talk through your booking.
Larger families: ask us about booking more than one cabin.
You'll share the boat with other guests, up to 8 people in all, plus the skipper, mate and cook.
6+
CHARTER THE WHOLE BOAT
Book all of Provident for your own family or friends, and children from age 6 are welcome.
Chartering the whole boat, with children from age 6
With a private charter, Provident is yours for your chosen dates: all eight guest berths, all the deck space and the warmth of the saloon. It's a good fit for grandparents, parents and children together, or two families sharing a week.
Your own skipper, crew and chef, with all meals included
A route planned with you before you sail, whether that's puffins, sea caves or a quiet island anchorage
Book all eight berths and the eighth sails free
A 25% deposit secures your dates
Prices depend on your dates, route and length of trip. Find out more about private charters.
| Activity | What it's like |
|---|---|
| Take the helm | Everyone gets a turn steering, with the skipper right alongside. |
| Haul the sails | Provident has no electric winches, so hoisting sail is a proper team effort. |
| Spot wildlife | Dolphins, porpoises, seals and eagles, and puffins in early summer. |
| Go ashore | Explore deserted beaches, hills, castles and island villages. |
| Swim from the boat | For the brave, on calm days. The sea is at its warmest in August. |
| Cake every afternoon | Home baking at tea time, and a proper pudding after dinner. |
Safe, warm and well looked after
Everyone on board gets safety equipment and a full safety briefing. Our skipper, mate and cook are all experienced sailors, and we plan each day around the weather, the tides and what the group would like to do.
Below deck, every cabin has its own radiator, and every bunk has a reading light and a USB charging point. There's a hot shower and two toilets, and a separate place to dry wet gear.
Space is limited on any boat, and the cabins are cosy. Our narrowest bunk is 60cm wide, and wider bunks are available on request.
“Fantastic! I really enjoyed being given every opportunity to play a full part on deck. The crew are warm, humorous, encouraging - and very patient! We had a wide range of ages and physical abilities on board, yet everyone's wishes were always willingly matched to appropriate tasks/activity so everyone felt involved and able to contribute when sailing.”
RICH
What's the minimum age?
Children aged 12 and over can join our scheduled voyages. If you charter the whole boat, children from age 6 are welcome.
Do children need sailing experience?
No. Nobody needs any experience. The crew will show everyone what to do, and children can join in as much or as little as they like.
How do the cabins work for a family?
The forepeak cabin has a small double, a standard single and an extra single, so it suits a family of three or four. For three, the third place is half price. For four, or for a larger family, get in touch and we'll work out the best arrangement.
Is it safe?
Safety equipment is on board for everyone, and you'll all get a full safety briefing before we sail. Our crew are highly experienced, and we adjust our plans every day to suit the weather.
Can we charter the boat just for our family?
Yes. A private charter gives you the whole boat and all eight guest berths. Book all eight and the eighth sails free. See private charters.
Bring the family aboard
Tell us your children's ages and when you'd like to sail, and we'll help you find the right trip.
