Things To Do During Your Scottish Cruise

Rock Pooling

Rock pools abound on the pristine shore of our cruising area. It's great fun to wander along the shore and see how all the plants and animals live together in the rock pools left by the departing tides. Barnacles and limpets, anemones and hermit crabs all carry on feeding while the tide is out. Gazing into a pool we see the beautiful tentacles of the red and green anemones as they photosynthesize and attack and kill the plankton with their microscopic harpoons. There are scuttling crabs, darting fish, shooting shrimps, lumbering hermit crabs, red, green and brown seaweeds - all in a kaleidoscope of colour and movement.

Lobster Potting

On certain anchorages, we shoot our lobster pot and haul it the following day to examine our catch. The majority of the catch is returned, but a good-size lobster or crab could be served up for dinner if you so wish! Beside the lobsters and crabs we are always surprised by the amount of marine life in the pot: cod, ling, conger eels, dogfish, tope, sand eels, brittle stars, whelks, swimmer crabs to name but a few.

Fishing

Everyone can have a go at fishing when we are at anchor. Small fish are put back, but if you are lucky and have a little skill the larger ones will end up in the pot that night. It's hard to find fresher fish for dinner, especially when the mackerel are in season.

Swimming

You can jump or dive off the boat. For the less adventurous you can enter the sea by climbing down the ladder.

Photography/Painting

Our Scottish Island cruises  are perfect for relaxing, sketching, painting and capturing stunning seascapes and landscapes. With a knowledgeable skipper to guide you and a dedicated chef serving delicious meals prepared with fresh, locally sourced products, every detail is taken care of. On some cruises we also have art tutors and photography tutors onboard. 

Relax

You can choose to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and extraordinary wildlife from the ships' decks. Make sure to bring your camera and binoculars as there are lots of opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife.

Library

Canoeing, Stand Up Paddle Board, Kitesurfing, Windsurfing 

There is plenty of room onboard for you to bring your own equipment for those activities which you can enjoy from the boat. On Seahorse II we have two sea kayaks and a paddle board and on St Hilda, Speideren and Gemini Explorer we have one sea kayak. Buoyancy aids are provided. 

Boat Operations, Sailing, Seamanship

You are welcome to join the skipper in the wheelhouse to steer and learn about navigating the local area. Navigating the boat on their own is something children are unlikely to forget. The skipper will also be happy to take you round the engine room and educate you on his diesel engine (aboard St Hilda a 6 cylinder Kelvin diesel engine!).  On St Hilda you can help with hoisting the sails. We only set the sails on St Hilda when conditions are right (ideally a broad reach) and do not sail in the very narrow sea lochs.