Conquer an Island this Summer

Do sailors loose the use of their legs if they stay on a boat at sea for long enough ? There is nothing to beat a stiff walk up to the highest point of an island when you go ashore. Looking down to your tiny ship snug in a natural anchorage, it is hard to resist that feeling that you are ‘lord of all you survey.’

We are not suggesting you need to plant a flag to ‘conquer an island’ but when you have sailed somewhere remote or un inhabited, it is such a natural thing to climb to the highest vantage point to see what is on offer. Perhaps there is a settlement on the other side of a ridge or a spectacular beach.

Far Out there - St Kilda, Mingulay,  Miughaiagh and Bearnaraigh

Enjoy the novelty of a being on a historic sailing cargo ship, exploring distinctive Celtic communities, who only have a handful of yachts visit them each year, and have relied on small sailing cargo ships like Bessie Ellen and their modern coaster equivalents for their essentials for centuries.

The chain of Outer Hebridean islands runs parallel to the Scottish mainland and protects it from ocean storms. The Atlantic facing coast is an almost continuous strand of sand dunes and machair (grass) whilst the east coast is deeply indented with a maze of islets and anchorages.

There are over 26 islands in the Outer Hebrides south of the Sound of Harris, and at least another 16 islands around Lewis to the North. So even without the prize of St Kilda, there will be plenty of new anchorages to try. Take a zodiac ride under the sculptural arches of Mingulay, see where the TV castaways stayed on Taransay. On Miughaiagh and Bearnaraigh the only human inhabitants here are the lighthouse keepers, but there are masses of Auks, Kittiwakes and Fulmars.

St. Kilda lies approximately 40 sea miles west of the Outer Hebrides. It is actually a small group of islands, or if you prefer – an archipelago. One hundred and eighty people lived on the islands towards the end of the 17th century but they only had 16ft  boats to get about in. There was not enough timber to build their own craft so these tiny boats crossed the eighty mile passage from the mainland, fancy a try?

BE121 Bessie Ellen     29th June – 9th July     Outer Hebrides & aiming for St Kilda 10 day expedition starting and finishing in Oban. Limited availability £1190

BE123 Bessie Ellen 17-23rd July – a cheaper option is a 6 day Western Isles voyage @ £780.
On a 119ft sailing ship the Outer Hebrides are still within reach on this voyage if the winds are right, but there is also plenty of choice around Mull, Rum, Skye and the lovely mainland coast around Ardnamurchan or Knoydart. Other dates available in Scotland.

Explore a myriad of coastal islands off Norway

The cruise ship brochures that will have you believe that a trip up the Norwegian coast is all serene fjords, still deep waters and reflections. From experience of running voyages from Stavanger in the past - we beg to differ. Where there are mountains there is usually wind.

For summer expedition voyages on three masted topsail schooner Oosterschelde have a look at a map of the Swedish and Norwegian Coast from Halmstad all the way

upto Maløy and Alesund. There are thousands of islands, intricate passages and wider sounds – all challenging sailing and plenty of wind. The sheltered fjords are the added bonus, and a pleasant deep water break from all the pilotage.

Eve has been sailing to the Isles of Scilly for 14 years but we have still to land a crew on Sampson. There are abandoned villages amongst the bracken where a whole population was virtually starved out. The now trendy wild food foraging was simply survival on Sampson. There are several Scillies anchorages used 100 years ago by sailing ships that are too far from the pub for today's yachtsmen and you can be the only vessel anchored over night. Even 119ft Bessie Ellen can sail into the anchorage between the deserted islands of Great Arthur and Ganilly. Bring a wetsuit and swim with the seals from Menawerthan reef or snorkel over the mysterious kelp forest. On the low tide you can walk out to the island of Nour Nour and see evidence of a bronze age village. Annabel J has a 9 day extended Isles of Scilly voyage so she will be looking for some new island landings to bag.

AJ1112 Annabel J – 22nd June – 1st July – 9 day Extended voyage in the Scillies or Cornwall £995

EXTRA VOYAGE: E126b Eve of St Mawes 10-16th August– 6 day Scilly island hopping & wildlife voyage – tuck into smaller anchorages £720

BE129 Bessie Ellen – 25-31 Aug – Sail to the Isles of Scilly on a historic West Country Trader £780

Azores Archipelago to Waterford Tall Ships Race

Embark ship on Horta: An oceanic island for your logbook if you have a spare 13 days in June. Hop on a square rigger that really travels the world and sail from the Azores Archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic (flights from UK from £). Barque Europa is heading back to Europa via Southern Ireland. Waterford is the gathering port for the International Tall Ships Race, so how cool would it be to arrive on a square rigger who has made her way to the event via Antarctica, South Georgia, Cape Town & the Azores . Europa is also celebrating her 100th birthday and Waterford with a fleet of tall ships in town is a great way to celebrate.

 

This year Classic Sailing is supporting Dementia Adventure which connects people living with dementia with nature and a sense of adventure.