Scotland

Sail Wilderness Scotland

At Classic Sailing we like mountains and islands as a dramatic backdrop for our sailing voyages. The Western Isles, Inner Hebrides, and sea lochs between the remote mainland peninsulas create thousands of miles of unspoilt coastline. This means Western Scotland provides one of the best deep water sailing grounds in Europe for scenery, wildlife, and splendid isolation. In the Norweigan Fjords the rock walls are so steep that you cannot see the mountain ranges beyond, but in Western Scotland you can often see ridge after ridge of mountains, fading to a purple haze in the distance. A perfect scene for a water colour painting with fast changing weather systems and an ever changing sky.

Lizzie May - Our Scotland Based Pilot Cutter

When Classic Sailing chose our holiday fleet we like to have a mix of good looking traditional boats based in the best locations with local skippers and more roving vessels that create that true expedition style voyage. Lizzie May offers a mix of the two, as she is roaming far and wide in 2010. From the Mull of Kintyre to Orkney is a vast sailing ground so we can't claim Lizzie May's skippers know every anchorage....but exploring new places is part of the fun.

Lizzie May's home waters are on the Firth of Clyde where she offers 2-5 day voyages in beautiful scenery within easy reach of Glasgow. If you are travelling around Scotland a short activity break on Lizzie May as guest crew is perfect way of seeing Scotland from a different perspective. No experience is needed and we will teach you to sail too.

In 2010 she has many summer voyages further North with crew changes in Oban, Mallaig and even Inverness on the East Coast via the Caledonian Canal.

Firth of Clyde as a sailing destination

Voyages from Oban & Mallaig - Skye, Mull & the Small Isles

Voyages from Oban Southwards - Mull, Colonsay, Islay & Jura

Caledonian Canal & Scottish East Coast - see Lizzie May voyage schedule

Gastronomic Voyages with the best of Scottish Seafood

Lizzie May's regular skipper Laurie Mill is also a talented chef by profession. NEW in 2010 are Lizzie May's gastronomic voyages. Plenty of sailing, seafood and organic cooking in a variety of sailing locations that beat any restuarant ashore for atmosphere.

More on Scottish Seafood Voyages on Lizzie May

Tall Ship Oosterschelde - Outer Hebrides & St Kilda Voyages

The crew of Dutch Schooner Oosterschelde have fallen in love with the remote Western Isles and are returning to explore more of the Outer Hebrides. After a successful couple of visits to St Kilda in 2009 this ocean going three masted schooner aims to visit St Kilda again in July and August during her 10 day Hebrides sailing & wildlife expedition voyages

St Kilda, Outer Hebrides & Orkney as a sailing destination

Oosterschelde - Around Cape Wrath & the Orkney Isles

Oosteschelde has two voyages sailing around the top of Scotland, exploring the Orkney Islands and the northernmost Outer Hebrides. The West - East Voyage past Cape Wrath ends up in Hartlepool for the Tall Ships Race. Both these voyages are filling fast.

St Kilda, Outer Hebrides & Orkney as a sailing destination

Flat water blasts, long mid summer days & a few heatwaves

Scotland can be very windy and the gales come in fast off the Atlantic at any time of year, but you can usually keep on sailing between the islands. There are many miles where Lizzie May or Oosterschelde can escape the ocean swell and go for an awesome flat water blast. Not everywhere is protected but at least there are safe havens where you can go to reef down and reduce sail so you can tackle the next exposed headland or firth.

In June the sun sets very late in the evening so Scottish midsummer days are long. When a high pressure system sits over Scotland you can find yourself in a heatwave with waters so still the mountains and blue skies create a mirror image. The warm Gulf Stream means you can swim off the boat or beachcomb on white quartz sand beaches with no other sunbathers in sight. When a depression sweeps in - boy can it rain, but when the weather front clears the views are crystal clear.

Anchorage to Anchorage - Self Sufficient Travel

The choice of anchorages is endless on a sailing holiday in Scotland. The energetic can climb to the highest point ashore and look down on Lizzie May in splendid isolation in perfect natural anchorages that south coast sailors can only dream of. Self sufficient aboard your floating home; you can relax snugly in front of the wood burning stove and wait for supper with an appetite as large as the hills.

"Sailing in the Western Isles of Scotland is one of the best ways of exploring these remote islands. You do not have to worry about accommodation, it’s close to nature but cosier than camping!"