Oosterschelde - Around Cape Wrath & South to Hartlepool Tall Ships Race

Voyage Number	Ost-1009
Voyage price	€700 euros for 8 days
Voyage Dates	01/08/2010 - 16:00 - 08/08/2010 - 10:00
Depart from	Oban
Finishing Port	Hartlepool, UK
Voyage area	Hebrides , Orkney Islands, Scotland , Scotland
Voyage type	Adventure Voyage , Tall Ships , Wildlife Voyages
Vessel	Oosterschelde
Availability	Available
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Voyage Description

Oosterschelde - Oban over the top the Tall Ships Race port of Hartlepool  

Leaving Oban

Heading up the Sound of Mull Oosterschelde may stop at the scenic port of Tobermory with its colourful houses and shops, not forgetting the unforgettable Mish Nish Inn. Beyond Mull lie Eigg Muck and Rhum on the way to Skye and the Inner Minches.

The Hebrides

Soon you will be entering the waters of the Minches and on one hand you will see the Outer Hebrides of Lewis, Harris, Uist North and South, Benbecula and Barra. In front of you may see the Isle of Skye where Ellen McArthur has built her home. On the starboard side you will see stretches of the Scottish mainland and the mountains of Terridon.

Cape Wrath, John O'Groats and Scapa Flow

Did you know that Cape Wrath is so named because the Vikings on heading back to Scandinavia got this far north and then turned right for home Wrath being a derivation of there word for right. Passing through the Pentland Firth you pass John O Groat’s the most northerly point on mainland Britain and aiming for Scapa Flow. On the way to the Kirkwall you may pass through Scapa Flow where the German First World War Naval Fleet was scuttled and is a now a Mecca for divers.

Orkney Islands

There should be time to go ashore in Kirkwall and explore some of the Orkney Islands ancient buildings from the bronze age and earlier. Standing in the door way of a building over 4000 years old at looking at the sea view that has not changed in all that time is truly memorable. The Orkney Islanders are great mariners and have a keen eye for a gracious ship, Oosterschelde will appeal to them greatly.

Going South

Now its time to head south down the east coast of Scotland, depending on the progress made and the time left there may be time to visit some east coast ports like Inverness, Aberdeen or Leith near Edinburgh.

Tall Ships Race – Hartlepool

Oosterschelde voyage ends in Hartlepool the meeting point for the Tall Ships Race to Ijmuiden in Holland.

Oosterschelde - Oban - Orkeny - Hartelpool - Tall Ship Race Port 

  

This sailing voyage leads to practically uninhabited and rugged areas that will be appealing to nature lovers and birds watchers. Along  the coast of Scotland and Orkney we find deep lochs and small fishing villages.

Photo cuortesy Fr Paul Hackett

Oban
 

Oban has been described as one of the most scenic travel destinations. The sheltered port of Oban (“little bay” in Gaelic) is surrounded by views of earth, sea and sky, which have enthralled artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries.

Known as the gateway to Argyll and the Western Isles, Oban is the perfect origin for your own journey to discover the enchantment of the west coast of Scotland.

Oban has always been known as the traveller’s rest. As a small town with a resident population of 8,500 this unofficial capital of the West Highlands often swells with large numbers of visitors.

Oban is renowned for its glorious gardens, its fabulous views, the ocean promenade, islands all around, ancient monuments and castles, and outdoor activities such as diving, hiking, fishing, bird-watching – even whale spotting - especially from pilot cutters and tall ships.

Queen Victoria visited the town and gave it the royal seal of approval when she described it as "one of the finest spots we have seen".
 

Getting to Oban

By Road
Head up the A82 from Glasgow and keep going all the way past Loch Lomond and its steam ships. When you get to Tyndrum turn to port (left) onto the A85 for Oban. Find the North Quay and then further into Town and near Tesco you will find secure paid for parking at Oban Car Hire which does have to be paid for.

By Coach
CityLink offer connections from Glasgow Buchanan Street train and Bus Station and Glasgow Airport.

By Train
ScotRail has trains for Oban that also leave from Buchanan Street Station.

By Plane
You can fly from Central Glasgow to Oban on Loch Lomond Seaplanes - probably the most dramatic way to arrive - certainly the quickest from Glasgow.
 

Accommodation
There are lots of places to stay in Oban, The Official Oban Tourist Office has the best local directory.
 

Hartlepool 

Photo Permission  Colin McLurg

By Coach
National Express travel enquiries can be made by calling: Nationalcall - 08705 808080 (calls are answered daily between 0800 - 2200 hours)

gobycoach.com

By Rail
A fast and regular service runs between the North East and London.

London and Edinburgh have direct speed services operating to Darlington from where you can catch a local connection to Hartlepool.

Direct trains operate to Newcastle, Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough on a regular basis.

Trains operate to Manchester from Hartlepool.

24 hour information on train times and fares can be obtained by telephoning 08457 484950 or visiting railtrack.co.uk

By Sea
Scandinavian Seaways and Fjordline operate out of North Shields, whilst P&O North Sea Ferries operate daily services from Hull to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

Three masted topsail schooner Oosterschelde

Oosterschelde has sailed as far as the Arctic and Antarctica and sailed around the world She is very well known in Holland and a favourite of sea and nature lovers. The ship is owned by a Dutch Foundation but the working language on board is English. For more on this historic 1918 sailing ship and her favourite destinations see the text below

Cape Verde for trade winds & tropical sun this winter

For some great photos and a full description of these voyages

PDF Cape Verde Sailing Expeditions Brochure 2011-12

PDF - a photo diary of our Christmas voyage in Cape Verde

Individual Cape Verde Voyage details & availability Winter 2011-12

Oosterschelde Winter Programme 2011 - 2012

Prices are fixed in Euros. Ring us on 01872 580022 for a quote in £sterling

Life on Oosterschelde

On board Oosterschelde—as on all of Classic Sailing holidays—you are not a passenger but part of the guest crew. You will be assigned a watch together with the professional crew to sail, steer and navigate the ship. No sailing experience is necessary. The crew will be happy to explain the functions of all the ropes.

Oosterschelde is very well known in Holland and a favourite of sea and nature lovers. Her ethos is one of active and direct exposure to the sea and sailing, the region being explored and its wildlife. Below decks the two and four cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold water. Showers are separate. The lounge is very stylish with a wood burning stove (for Spitzbergen trips etc) a piano and library. All cabins have forced ventilation and a window or hatch to open. The ever present trade winds keep it a pleasant temperature below decks. She has a large galley and professional cook and you can buy drinks at the bar. On board euros are accepted but not credit cards.

On a fore and aft rigged schooner there is more sail trimming, tacking and gybing than you might find on a square rigger, so at times on watch you may be very busy. With two square sails there is still an excuse (if you need it) to go aloft.

Expedition Ship

Oosterschelde is well used to running sailing expeditions to remote places like Spitzbergen, Antarctica, Indonesia with well educated guests interested in nature, walking, maritime history and local culture ashore. Whilst the ship does do social projects / sail training, for most the year the hospitality and style of sailing is geared towards adults on an adventure holiday. The landing places will be carefully selected to show you the best of each island and there will be some organised expeditions ashore.

Photo, Our local guide Ario in Sao Antao, Cape Verde 2011

Equipment & Safety

The crew are experienced ocean going sailors and most of them are employed on Oosterschelde full time. The ship is owned and operated by Oosterschelde Shipping Company and Sailing Foundation. She is equipped to sail the world’s seas and holds all the safety certificates required by Dutch Law. As you are part of the guest crew you will be fully trained in emergency procedures. For going ashore Oostershelde has two rubber dinghies with outboards and a wooden boat. She carries lifejackets, liferafts, fire detection and extinguishing systems, very extensive medicine cabinent, EPIRB, SART, radar, GPS, SSB radio, INMARSAT Sat C fax terminal etc. If your family/friends need to contact the ship in emergencies the ship can be contacted by Iridium saterlite telephone, but cheaper to go through the ships office in Rotterdam ( Michelle or Gerben) as they are in contact with the ship regularly. 

Ship Specification:

Gilbert Pépin Location: Vernon, France 29.5.2009

I  want to thank the crew for the three magnificent days passed on board, between "Golfe du Morbihan" and "Le Havre". I sailed on numerous occasions on about ten different ships, and this sailing on Oosterschelde is the best experience I ever had. I was impressed by the good performances of the ship, and by the way the crew adjusts sails permanently so that the ship always gives the best ; it was an immense pleasure to participate of my best in all these operations. I regret that our different languages did not allow us to communicate more, because all the crew members were really very nice and very thoughtful with us. I have now only an envy: to embark again on Oosterschelde, to be on the deck to participate in the laborers of sails, to climb on the mast to help the crew, and to share again these excellent moments given by sailing on Oosterschelde !!!
(Excuse my bad English, which is the one from a French...)
Thanks again
Gilbert