Orkney, North & North West Coast Of Scotland Sailing Adventure

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Start date:
Jun 8, 2025 at 6:30 pm
End date:
Jun 15, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Crew Capacity
2
Skill Level Required
No Requirement
Language
English
Climate
Temperate
Vessel Type
Sail, Monohull

Sail the west and north coast of Scotland, all the way to the Orkney islands, or returning, with our senior and most experienced RYA Instructors.

You’ll be looked after by one of our experienced skipper and RYA instructors and will depart from the harbour at Oban or Kirkwall. Setting sailing in one of our well-tested offshore sailing yachts; all of the yachts that we use for adventures are 42ft or larger and have 4 cabins.

Through the Sound of Mull, you will head west, leaving hectic life and civilisation behind.

After visiting one of the small isles of either Canna, Rum or Eigg, where you will experience breathtaking scenery and unique community life and pristine nature, you will head north west to the Outer Hebrides, then spend the final evening in Lewis or Harris, before some proper offshore sailing.

You’ll get a real taste of North Atlantic sailing around the famous Cape Wrath – the scenery is amazing and the unique entry in your personal log book will be too.

After a well deserved stop at the old fishing harbour Scrabster, you’ll sail through the famous and fearful Pentland Firth and Merry Men of May towards Scapa Flow.

Here you’ll visit the famous Italian Chapel built by prisoners of war, and Churchill barriers built to protect home fleet from German submarines.

Then the famous St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. Our the last stop will be the beautiful historical fishing harbour Stromness, with its unique architectural character and museum of history.

Our skippers have great knowledge of this sailing area and they love to share.

Starting your journey

We’ll let you know everything you need to know to get to and from Oban or Orkney based on our previous experience.

Oban is easily accessible from Glasgow by train and bus, the service is frequent and both go into the centre of Oban. Orkney is accessible by flight from all Scottish cities and a number of airports south of the border too, alternatively there is the ferry from the mainland.

You will be with real professionals who have years of experience of sailing the west coast of Scotland. If you fancy pushing yourself and getting some serious offshore experience then this journey is for you, if you are an aspiring yachtmaster then you will gain one or maybe two of your qualifying passages. As with any sailing adventure, we will do everything we can to get you there and we have an excellent track record – however, your safety is most important to us and if weather decides to be against us we may decide on some alternative destinations.

Included in the price

7 nights accommodation on a 4 cabin yacht;
All onboard meals and snacks;
Fuel and gas;
Skipper services;
Bedding (bottom sheet and pillow and case);
All marina and harbour fees.

Optional – not included in the price

Oil skins hire £3.50 per item per day;
Final cleaning service at £12.50 per person;
Eating in restaurant ashore;
Visitors fees to whisky distillery or museum.

Google Reviews

4.6

87 reviews

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rick carter
6 months ago

The Orkney Islands I was introduced to by Pauline were amazing. We didn't have good weather but Pauline's enthusiasm and stories kept us entertained and informed. She is the very best guide in Scotland.
Kari Freeman
a month ago

Have you read the story about Neolithic excavations on the Orkney Islands in the Smithsonian Magazine, January/February 2025? If you're visiting this location after reading it, like this post, and let me know in the comments what connections or inspirations brought you here!
Mei Yew
8 months ago

Almost the most northern part of uk!! If not for the wind, one can easily cycle around the island as it is relatively flat, with hardly any trees due to the wind! The island is inhibited by many seabirds, including the cute puffins which live in certain part! To me, it is their colourful beaks that attract my attention. They are tiny birds of maybe 6 inches in my estimate. The island is well own for the Neolithic archeological finds! I am glad I made the last minute swap from the hot Madrid 37 degrees to the winter like Orkney Islands of 13 degrees end of June 2023! Another interesting discovery are the sheep in North Ronaldsay, north of Orkney that feed entirely on seaweed!! I am glad to be able to buy some of the hats, scarfs and gloves made from this special wool on my last day!
Chris McNeil
7 months ago

Quark Expeditions includes in its "Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes & Jan Mayen" a visit to the Orkney Islands not long after embarking from Aberdeen, Scotland. As it was late April 2024, we knew to look for diverse wildlife, most notably birds, including puffins and other breeding seabirds, including Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Gannets. We were not disappointed.
Noel Duffy
4 months ago

Love it, and the sennery is unreal and great. Always look forward to going back any chance I get, and the people make the trip warm welcome and friendly