Standard cabin: €995 / £875 per person*
Standard+ cabin: €1,095 / £965 per person*
Single Cabin: €1,495 / £1,325 per person*
*Trips are priced in the operator’s local currency. The sterling amount shown is a guide only and the amount you pay in sterling will change with currency fluctuations.
Duration: 5 nights from 12 to 17 May 2024
Set sail on The Flying Dutchman, a magnificent 1903 tall ship, for a 5-night adventure. Immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Scotland's west coast and the Inner Hebrides, as you explore famous whisky distilleries, and create magical folk music moments with the talented musicians on board. This unique journey combines seafaring, melodies, and whisky delights.
Explore idyllic harbour towns before anchoring in tranquil bays far from civilization, taking in the stunning scenery as well as the diverse wildlife as you go. Visit the isle of Jura, famous for its distillery but also for the thousands of deer outnumbering the small human population. Sail to Islay, a whisky lover’s paradise, where you will moor up on the distilleries’ own jetties in the tall ship and experience the incredible acoustics of the awe-inspiring Fingal’s Cave.
On this trip, keep an eye out for whales, sharks, dolphins, and other marine life as you sail. With the talented musicians onboard, you can experience the heartfelt melodies of this beautiful place, as you join in a fascinating nautical adventure of a different tune.
Joost van Es grew up in an artistic environment and has played the violin since childhood, instilled in the beginning by his mother, and later trained at the conservatory. Very early on there was a great interest in everything related to folk music, bluegrass, country, and more and more string instruments were added.
Joost has participated in a large number of music and music theatre productions, mostly as a soloist on violin but also on other string instruments. In 2008 he was an official finalist at the Nashville Fiddle Championships in Nashville, Tennessee (more than 100 participants from around the world).
We start our Scotland Folk & whisky journey in Oban, a cosy fishing village located around a beautiful bay. The famous Oban Whisky Distillery is also located here, which is well worth a visit. You will meet the crew and the other guests during a delicious welcome dinner with a musical note. We raise a glass of Whisky to a wonderful journey.
Besides the music and whisky, sailing is also important on this trip. To reach as many places as possible under sail, flexibility in the program is important. The route will be determined during the trip depending on the weather conditions.
Tobermory
Picturesque Tobermory is the largest town on the Isle of Mull. It is a charming little town with brightly coloured houses and a range of small businesses including a chocolate shop, bakery, candle maker, silversmith, art gallery, and pottery. Tobermory is also known for its arts centre, a small theatre company, and some good pubs and eateries. If time allows you can visit the famous Tobermory whisky distillery on our trip. There are a number of beautiful walks to be made around the natural bay.
Staffa/Iona
The uninhabited island of Staffa is famous for Fingal’s cave and the basalt rock that can be seen around the island. The awe-inspiring cathedral-like cave is 70m long and 20m high. This place inspired Mendelsohn to write the “Hebridean Overture”. It is an unforgettable experience to see the swell crashing against the hexagonal rocks at the mouth of the cave. Puffins can also be found on Staffa and the surrounding sea.
At the southwest point of Mull lies the small island of Iona. In Gaelic/Celtic: Chaluim Chille, the island of Colm Cille, an Irish priest and prince who would later become Saint Columba. This small island holds a unique place in Scotland’s history. It ignites the imagination of thousands who travel here every year as monks, pilgrims, clan chiefs, and kings. During the sailing trip from one island to the other, in addition to the beautiful landscape, we may also see basking sharks, minke whales, and dolphins.
Jura
The island of Jura is a paradise of unspoiled wilderness and natural beauty. The name Jura comes from Old Norse and means ‘Deer Island’, still an appropriate name as the 5,500 deer out-number the human population of 180. The Jura distillery is located in the town of Craighouse, at the end of the jetty where we will moor.
Small Isles: Muck, Eigg, Canna, and Rum
The four “Small Isles” are a group of islands located south of Skye, each with its own character but all incredibly beautiful. Both on land and off the coast, nature is breathtaking. From whales and dolphins to otters, seals, and sea eagles, if you keep an eye out you might spot them here.
Islay
Islay owes its fame to the 9 distilleries, which produce millions of litres of liquid gold. Because of the various taxes levied on alcohol, it is said to be the most heavily taxed part of Britain. Islay’s largest port is Port Ellen, in the south of Islay. Here you will find the distilleries of Port Ellen, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg within walking distance. Many distilleries are beside the sea, so we have the opportunity to visit some by ship.
On the last evening, we are back in Oban, where after a nice evening meal there is enough time to visit a pub. It has been a great and varied week where we discovered hidden gems of Scotland, music, and Whisky and met new friends in a unique unforgettable way.
Please note: We will attempt to reach as many destinations as possible under sail, however, the specified program is simply a guide. With all tours as exciting as this, flexibility is important as the final route will be determined during the trip depending on the weather conditions.
This is not a floating hotel but a traditional sailing ship that is comfortable, intimate, and small enough to anchor in shallower water.
Cabins
Common areas
Our voyages attract travellers from all over the world, which has been an important factor in establishing an open-minded atmosphere on board. The crew of the ship is most of the time from Dutch origin but speaks and understands English very well.
Oban, Scotland
Oban, Scotland
We start our Scotland Folk & whisky journey in Oban, a cosy fishing village located around a beautiful bay. The famous Oban Whisky Distillery is also located here, which is well worth a visit. You will meet the crew and the other guests during a delicious welcome dinner with a musical note. We raise a glass of Whisky to a wonderful journey.
Besides the music and whisky, sailing is also important on this trip. To reach as many places as possible under sail, flexibility in the program is important. The route will be determined during the trip depending on the weather conditions.
Tobermory
Picturesque Tobermory is the largest town on the Isle of Mull. It is a charming little town with brightly coloured houses and a range of small businesses including a chocolate shop, bakery, candle maker, silversmith, art gallery, and pottery. Tobermory is also known for its arts centre, a small theatre company, and some good pubs and eateries. If time allows you can visit the famous Tobermory whisky distillery on our trip. There are a number of beautiful walks to be made around the natural bay.
Staffa/Iona
The uninhabited island of Staffa is famous for Fingal’s cave and the basalt rock that can be seen around the island. The awe-inspiring cathedral-like cave is 70m long and 20m high. This place inspired Mendelsohn to write the “Hebridean Overture”. It is an unforgettable experience to see the swell crashing against the hexagonal rocks at the mouth of the cave. Puffins can also be found on Staffa and the surrounding sea.
At the southwest point of Mull lies the small island of Iona. In Gaelic/Celtic: Chaluim Chille, the island of Colm Cille, an Irish priest and prince who would later become Saint Columba. This small island holds a unique place in Scotland’s history. It ignites the imagination of thousands who travel here every year as monks, pilgrims, clan chiefs, and kings. During the sailing trip from one island to the other, in addition to the beautiful landscape, we may also see basking sharks, minke whales, and dolphins.
Jura
The island of Jura is a paradise of unspoiled wilderness and natural beauty. The name Jura comes from Old Norse and means ‘Deer Island’, still an appropriate name as the 5,500 deer out-number the human population of 180. The Jura distillery is located in the town of Craighouse, at the end of the jetty where we will moor.
Small Isles: Muck, Eigg, Canna, and Rum
The four “Small Isles” are a group of islands located south of Skye, each with its own character but all incredibly beautiful. Both on land and off the coast, nature is breathtaking. From whales and dolphins to otters, seals, and sea eagles, if you keep an eye out you might spot them here.
Islay
Islay owes its fame to the 9 distilleries, which produce millions of litres of liquid gold. Because of the various taxes levied on alcohol, it is said to be the most heavily taxed part of Britain. Islay’s largest port is Port Ellen, in the south of Islay. Here you will find the distilleries of Port Ellen, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg within walking distance. Many distilleries are beside the sea, so we have the opportunity to visit some by ship.
On the last evening, we are back in Oban, where after a nice evening meal there is enough time to visit a pub. It has been a great and varied week where we discovered hidden gems of Scotland, music, and Whisky and met new friends in a unique unforgettable way.
Please note: We will attempt to reach as many destinations as possible under sail, however, the specified program is simply a guide. With all tours as exciting as this, flexibility is important as the final route will be determined during the trip depending on the weather conditions.
Warm and waterproof clothing is very important, as it can get very cold during sailing, especially at night, even in the summer. A waterproof and windproof jacket is recommended to help keep warm and dry. Waterproof rubber-soled boots or shoes are also recommended to keep your feet dry and warm. Pack comfortable and practical clothing for all weather circumstances, the key is layers. It is recommended to pack in a soft bag that can be easily stored away as there is no locker room onboard for suitcases. Also in the cabins, there are 2-pin European plug sockets and USB sockets (‘normal’ USB-B, no USB-C on board) so guests will need to bring adapters if they are from outside the EU.