Bessie Ellen Sails South - Scotland, Ireland, Wales & Scillies

Passage Making from SW Scotland to Cornwall or from Scotland to Falmouth

Great scenery and famous landmarks all the way as you sail South from Oban between the mountains of Mull, Jura and Islay. Bessie Ellen may visit Northern or Southern Ireland, the Isle of Man, or Wales on route and many querky little ports and anchorages you may not of heard of.

Classic Journey under Sail

Step back in time and sail a ship that once plied cargoes around Europe. You can escape all the usual holiday resorts in peak summer holidays and sign up for a 'hands on' adventure as crew on Bessie Ellen. There is some serious mileage to cover, so at the end of each hop you can feel proud of your efforts when you step ashore to explore. There will be some long passages and night sailing to cover the distance where you need to get into the rythmn of watch keeping, but it does give a glorious excuse for a snooze in the afternoon !

This is a great training voyage at a decent time of year (August) for those wanting to learn some coastal navigation or get some watch keeping experience as there are many fishing boats to avoid and tidal streams to help work out.

Sound of Islay or Corrywreckan Whirlpools

For a dramatic introduction to Scottish scenery the narrow sound of Islay takes some beating with its crags, cliffs and caves and famous distilleries.Possible anchorages if you go through the Sound of Islay  include Loch Tarbert on Jura or Colonsay or Oronsay islands An alternative route is just as impressive is down past Luing and the Gulf of Corrywreckan - famous for whirlpools if you get the tide wrong, and the dramatic backdrop as you sail between jura and the mainland.

 Mull of Kintyre to Isle of Man

You may head straight through the North Channel between Scotland and Northern Ireland, keeping well clear of the overfalls and white horses around the Mull of Kintyre or the strong tides around Rathlin Island. There are a few querky places you could stop at this stage like Sanda Island with its pub for visiting summer yachtsmen and no permenent residents

The Isle of Man has alternatives to Douglas like port St Mary or Peel with its Castle, and the waters around this surprisingly rugged island are rich in marine wildlife.

Lure of the Guiness

Stangford Loch would be quite a tricky diversion with its narrow entrance. Bangor is a welcoming rest port, but Dublin or its fishing port of Howth would be the favourite.

Anglesey & Llyn Peninsula

Angelsey is steeped in ancient history and you can sail under huge sea cliffs near Holyhead with world class climbing routes like 'dream of white horses' or anchor in remote bays like Porth Wenn with its ruined copper mine. There are awesome unspoilt beaches on the Llyn Peninsula if you run out of wind.

The coast of Pembrokeshire is a UK National Park, so if your route passes close you have more landmarks to admire. Milford Haven is like a huge fjord where outgoing and incoming oil tankers look strangely out of place in the vast natural harbour.

Lands End & Scilly

If the ship has made good time, you might pay a visit to the Isles of Scilly, but you need the right combination of wind and swell for a sheltered spot. Bessie Ellen has explored the islands before so there are several options.