Edinburgh to Oban,
Caledonian Canal

Vessel Type

“T/S Flying Dutchman” Tall Ship, built in 1903
Read more about this ship here

Vessel Length

39.5 meters

Skipper

Yes

Berth

twin or quad cabins

Deposit and cancellation:

25% deposit. STRICT.

Included

• All charges regarding port fees, tourists fees and fuel expenses.
• Bed linen and towels
• Full board, including coffee, tea, milk and juice at all meals.
• The use of a zodiac for landings when we visit places without a harbour.
• The crew: captain, cook and first mate.

Additional

• Transport to and from the vessel
• Personal expenses ashore
• Food ashore
• Fees for events that take place outside the ship.
• Beverages besides the included drinks during the meals.

Getting there

Edinburgh, Scotland

Getting back

Oban, Scotland

A trip along the beautiful East coast and the Caledonia Canal with his famous Loch Ness. From the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean at one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.We start in Eyemouth ( Edinburgh) and sail along the East coast with nice harbours like Stonehaven and Buckie. From Inverness we will go straight through the mountains of the Scottish Highlands to Fort William. It offers beautiful landscapes and views. Four mountain lakes, of which Loch Ness is the most famous, but Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, and Loch Douchfour are also beautiful. They were connected with each other in 1822.

Route planning
The specified program is a guide. Changes due to the effects of weather, current and wind are possible. Flexibility is required for this trip.

Day 1: Eyemouth
The transferbus brings you from the center off Edinburgh to Eyemouth, a cozy fishing village. You will be welcomed by the crew on board and you will meet your fellow passengers.

Day 2: Stonehaven
After a nice breakfast, we hoist the sails early and go to Stonehaven, a town on the east coast with a beautiful harbour. In addition, it has a little museum, which made it the most beautiful seaside town in Scotland a few years ago. But the town is also known for its ancient Dunnottar Castle, which is located nearby.

Day 3: Buckie
Buckie is a beautiful port city where many loggers such as the Flying Dutchman came in the past. It is wonderful to think that the Flying Dutchman was already approaching Buckie around 1903 as a sailing fishing vessel. Nowadays the city has fallen asleep a bit, but you can still taste something of the grandeur of the once important fishing port.

Day 4: Inverness
Today we set course to Inverness, a beautiful city with all the wonders of the Highlands at your doorstep. Visit Inverness Castle and St Andrew’s Cathedral and then stroll along the banks of the River Ness, or cross the suspension bridge for rest and relaxation on the Ness Islands.

Day 5: Discover Loch Ness
It is possible to visit the Glen Ord Distillery by Taxibus for a nice tour and small tasting. The Flying Dutchman will go threw the first five locks. When everyone is back on board we set course for the beautiful mysterious Loch Ness. Of course we hope to sail on this famous lake and maybe we will see Nessie. A monster or not, it is a beautiful trip in a breathtakingly beautiful setting. At the end of the day we moor in Fort Augustus.

THE LOCH NESS MONSTER
We all know that the Loch Ness monster is hiding in the darkness of Loch Ness in the Highlands. It is not just a story. Nessie really exists, and there are more than 1,000 sightings of eyewitnesses and lots of inexplicable evidence, the scientists don’t get it.

Day 6: Fort Augustus-Fort William
Fort Augustus is a small cozy village on the south bank of the large Loch Ness. The 5 locks form the heart of the village. You can go to the visitor center where you can get souvenirs, books, guides and information, or the Clansman Center, a shop for Celtic jewelry and objects. This is also the location of a small museum about the life of a Highlander. Because of the location of the village in the Highlands or Scotland you can naturally enjoy nature here. We go up through the 5 locks and continue to Fort William. Beautiful Locks alternate with the narrow tree-lined canal. We reach the Neptune’s Staircase. Neptune’s Staircase is a system of eight locks designed by Thomas Telford. The artwork causes the boats to rise 19.5 meters over a length of 457 meters. The locks were originally powered by manpower but now work hydraulically. It is the largest of its kind in the UK and very special to see. From the lock complex you have a beautiful view of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland. The Ben Nevis distillery is nearby and of course a visit can be made.

Fort William has a little less than 10,000 inhabitants, and is the second largest city in the Highlands after Inverness. The city was named Fort William, which is a reference to William of Orange, who was the King of Scotland in the seventeenth century through his marriage to Mary II of England.

Day 7: Mull – Tobermory
First we pass the lock and then we go to the sea lock at Corpach. We are now on the west coast on the Loch Linnhe Sea, which offers beautiful views of the Highlands and shows us the beauty of unspoiled Scotland. We are on our way to Mull and after a beautiful day with lots of photo moments, we moor in the picturesque fishing village of Tobermory. With its small but famous whiskey distillery.

Day 8: Oban
Today we sail along the beautiful Scottish West Coast to Oban. Oban was a small fishing village with a sheltered harbor, but with the arrival of a steamship and a railroad in 1880, Oban became the center for sailings to the inside and outside of Hebrides. We pass the beautiful Duart Castle, which is certainly a beautiful and impressive sight from the water.

Day 9: Farewell
It was a wonderful trip! First along the East Coast, threw the Highlands and across Loch Ness to the West Coast of Scotland. We have seen the enchanting and unspoiled Scotland in an unique way. After an extensive breakfast it is time to say goodbye.

Base layer – 2x warm thermal tops + thermal leggings

Mid layer – 2x fleece type mid layers + mid layer trousers

Light waterproof shell (waterproof hiking type jacket and trousers) – for exploring ashore

Down jacket – a down (or synthetic alternative) jacket, the warmer the better

Gillet – optional but a really versatile mid layer, down or synthetic down are great

Hats – 2x warm wool hats, ear flaps are great

Waterproof hat – a waterproof hat or cap (eg Sealskins)

Neck warmer – 2x ‘Buff’ style neck warmers

Gloves – one waterproof pair (ski or fishing type) + 2x thinner fleece liner / spare pairs

Socks – 2x pairs of warm socks for sailing + hiking socks for exploring ashore

Boots – Wellington type boots. These are needed not just for sailing but also for getting ashore from the rib where you may need to stop into mid-calf depth water. They don’t need to be expensive or sailing specific, but they should be waterproof with good grip

Hiking shoes / boots – suitable for exploring on rough or wet terrain ashore

Rucsac – for on land exploring

Underwear – a couple of sets of comfortable underwear

Swimwear –

Camera, batteries, memory cards etc – it is possible to charge camera batteries onboard but it is a good idea to bring spare batteries and lots of memory card space

Entertainment – books, music etc for rest time

Toiletries – basic wash kit with travel-sized bottles

Eye mask and earplugs – can make sleeping easier in the midnight sun

Any personal medications that you need – ensure you have enough to last the whole trip

Dry bags – recommended for keeping any electrical kit in and for taking things ashore

Head torch – ideally with a red light function

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

A set of ‘shore clothes’ for travelling in / rest days in town

Passport / visas

Credit/debit card for shore-based activities or travel emergencies

Kitbag – this must be squashy type (not a suitcase) a large barrel type bag is ideal

It is the responsibility of each member of the voyage crew to ensure that they have sufficient cover for their needs.

You must be covered for tall ship sailing outside of coastal waters.

You will not be able to sail if you do not have adequate insurance.

We can recommend an appropriate insurer. Please enquire when booking.