14th July 2024 to 23rd July 2024
Orkney’s Explorer : Stornoway to Wick
From £2495 per person
Deposit 25%. Balance due 12 weeks before departure.
Join us on a wonderful adventure, weaving our way Northwards from Stornoway through the Orkney isles to Wick.
9 Nights: 14 - 23 July 2024
Price: From £2,495 per person
Join us on a wonderful adventure, weaving our way Northwards from Stornoway through the Orkney isles to Wick. There are incredible stops at isolated communities such as Stromness and stretching sailing passages with lots of opportunities to understand the tides and weather considerations. The trip is led by Jim Dobie who has experience sailing these waters on board “Big Blue” which is a comfortable cruising yacht with plenty of space. There are flight options to Stornoway and we offer a free transfer from Wick to Glasgow after the trip.
Jim Dobie is a hugely experienced Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster Examiner meaning you can use the trip to brush up on sailing skills, with plenty of time for one-to-one mentoring, or simply enjoy being part of the voyage. With a maximum of six crew aboard our comfortable yacht, you will have space to relax and plenty of opportunity to adapt the itinerary to the group's wishes.
Day 1: ARRIVAL AND EMBARK AT STORNOWAY
Our adventure starts at Stornoway, which is the main town of the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland.
Join us from 1 pm for a welcome on board our yacht “Big Blue”.
After settling in we will run a safety briefing and introduce you to the yacht and your fellow crew before heading for dinner.
Day 2: STORNOWAY TO LOCH LAXFORD (50NM)
After slipping lines after breakfast, we will head towards Loch Laxford – This loch is a Special Area of Conservation with a wide variety of marine habitats and species. It is mostly sheltered because of the reefs and islands but the outer region of the loch is very exposed. A perfect stop for our first night aboard.
Day 3: LOCH LAXFORD TO STROMNESS – (75NM)
This is great day’s sailiing with plenty of time to get accustomed to helming, trimming and especially passage making since the tides can run strongly in Hoy Sound, which makes timing especially important.
Arriving, with the welcoming lights of Stromness, twinkling in the evening, you will feel the true magic and accomplishment of successful passage making.
Day 4: RELAXING IN STROMNESS
We start the day, taking time to enjoy the lovely hospitality of Stomness. With the steep Brinkies Brae to the west and the sea to the east, Stromness is a tumbling network of flagstone streets, lanes, piers and slipways. There’s a timeless feel to the town, and it’s wonderful to explore. You may visit the world renowned arts centre, or take a hike up to the Ness battery, whose gun emplacements were set during WW2 to protect the entrance to Scapa flow.
Day 5: STROMNESS TO WESTRAY – (40NM)
Departing after breakfast, we will continue our sail North towards Westray
Day 6: WESTRAY TO FAIR ISLE (45NM)
A highlight of the trip is surely the sail to Fair Isle, the most isolated inhabited location in the United Kingdom with just 45 inhabitants. This is a beautiful, remote place, famed for and abundance of birds and a rich history, right back to Neolithic times. We will stop over and take time to explore this magical island
Day 7 – 8: FAIR ISLE TO KIRKWALL (50NM)
Day 9: KIRKWALL TO WICK (45NM)
Day 10: DEPART FROM WICK
After a final breakfast on board, it will be time to say our goodbyes.
- All food and drink (non-alcoholic) onboard.
- Safety equipment including life jackets.
- Overnight accommodation onboard, your own bunk and bedding
- All mooring and port entry fees for the boat.
- Hands on sailing, watch keeping, helming and opportunity to fully immerse in life on board.
- Waterproof Clothing available to hire
- Transportation – to the departure destination / from the arrival destination.
- Clothing – we will provide a recommended kit list
- Any shore based activities /food / drinks.
- Sailing & Travel Insurance
- Entrance fees to visitor centers or distilleries
JIM DOBIE
A hugely experienced Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster Examiner who has sailed almost every ocean of the world, leading expeditions to some of the remotest places including the Galapagos, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Tasmania. Jim is experienced, not only on, but also underwater, as a Scuba Diving Instructor delivering expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef, Oceania and Asia. Jim has a long history of successful race campaigns including being skipper for the 09-10 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, competing in five Sydney to Hobart races, two Fastnet races, Round Britain and Ireland Race and many other offshore race events.
Comfortable Yacht
a large , comfortable and practical cockpit she has an uncluttered layout with high quality teak finishes in the cockpit. The twin wheels allow a choice of comfortable helming positions and easy viewing when berthing. She’s comfortable and beautifully kitted out with 8 berths, so there’ll be plenty of space on board. She’s perfect for long trips. You’ll have your own berth.
Scenic, Adventurous Sailing
A fabulous trip to the very North of Scotland, weaving through the Orkney islands – exact itinerary will depend on the experience of the crew, their wishes and the weather!
Stornoway
Wick
Day 1: ARRIVAL AND EMBARK AT STORNOWAY
Our adventure starts at Stornoway, which is the main town of the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland.
Join us from 1 pm for a welcome on board our yacht “Big Blue”.
After settling in we will run a safety briefing and introduce you to the yacht and your fellow crew before heading for dinner.
Day 2: STORNOWAY TO LOCH LAXFORD (50NM)
After slipping lines after breakfast, we will head towards Loch Laxford – This loch is a Special Area of Conservation with a wide variety of marine habitats and species. It is mostly sheltered because of the reefs and islands but the outer region of the loch is very exposed. A perfect stop for our first night aboard.
Day 3: LOCH LAXFORD TO STROMNESS – (75NM)
This is great day’s sailiing with plenty of time to get accustomed to helming, trimming and especially passage making since the tides can run strongly in Hoy Sound, which makes timing especially important.
Arriving, with the welcoming lights of Stromness, twinkling in the evening, you will feel the true magic and accomplishment of successful passage making.
Day 4: RELAXING IN STROMNESS
We start the day, taking time to enjoy the lovely hospitality of Stomness. With the steep Brinkies Brae to the west and the sea to the east, Stromness is a tumbling network of flagstone streets, lanes, piers and slipways. There’s a timeless feel to the town, and it’s wonderful to explore. You may visit the world renowned arts centre, or take a hike up to the Ness battery, whose gun emplacements were set during WW2 to protect the entrance to Scapa flow.
Day 5: STROMNESS TO WESTRAY – (40NM)
Departing after breakfast, we will continue our sail North towards Westray
Day 6: WESTRAY TO FAIR ISLE (45NM)
A highlight of the trip is surely the sail to Fair Isle, the most isolated inhabited location in the United Kingdom with just 45 inhabitants. This is a beautiful, remote place, famed for and abundance of birds and a rich history, right back to Neolithic times. We will stop over and take time to explore this magical island
Day 7 – 8: FAIR ISLE TO KIRKWALL (50NM)
Day 9: KIRKWALL TO WICK (45NM)
Day 10: DEPART FROM WICK
After a final breakfast on board, it will be time to say our goodbyes.
