Lizzie May - A Gourmet Exploration Mull & Firth of Lorne - 4 days

Voyage Number	LM1024
Voyage price	£495 for 4 days
Voyage Dates	10/09/2010 - 15:00 - 14/09/2010 - 15:00
Depart from	Oban
Finishing Port	Fort William, Scotland
Voyage area	Scotland , UK
Voyage type	Adventure Voyage , Seafood - gourmet voyages , Short Breaks and Tasters
Vessel	Lizzie May
Availability	Fully booked

Voyage Description

Explore West Coast of Scotland under Sail

A four day short break as working guest crew, treated to fine local fare aboard pilot cutter Lizzie May. If you are visiting Scotland from abroad, then this activity based holiday package gives you a wide range of experiences and scenery viewed from an interesting angle.Sailing an eye catching wooden pilot cutter will usually introduce you to some interesting characters in ports and anchorages. No sailing experience is necessary as you will be given full training so you can be an active part of the crew.

Western Scotland is a rich marine ecosystem which offers fantastic seafood and wildlife watching from the sea eagles of Mull to the dolphins and whales that cruise the deep waters between the Western Isles.

Sailing offers panoramic views of the mountains, lochs and islands which have captivated artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries. 

This voyage will take you into the Stewarts of Appin territory which is immortalised in Robert Louis Stevensons book "Kidnapped".

A Gourmet Exploration

Skipper Laurie Mills owned an award winning restaurant for 10 years and now combines his two passions: seafood and sailing.

Laurie uses the freshest local seafood that is sustainably sourced.  Rope grown mussels, hand dived scallops and langoustine caught by pots not trawlers.  The opportunist menu features the best of Scottish fare that can include oysters, cockles, crab and lobster - it depends on which fishing vessels you meet on the way.

For a more detailed description of this beautiful and historic passage please read the itinerary page.

Oban to Fort William - Exploring the Rugged Coastline of Mull and the Firth of Lorne 

Day 1 - Oban is widely regarded as being the gate -way to the isles and your first view of the bay is one you will be unlikely to forget : the view opens up as you approach and one can appreciate why Oban has developed into one of Scotland`s most well loved holiday towns. Out to the West lie the two islands of the Inner Hebrides: the low, green island of Lismore and majestic Mull and it's likely that we'll visit during this short cruise.

Around Oban, the panoramic views of the mountains, lochs and islands which have captivated artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries are as striking now as they were when Dunollie Castle, a ruined keep which has stood sentinel over the narrow entrance to the sheltered bay for around six hundred years, was the northern outpost of the Dalriadic Scots.

It is no surprise to find Oban in the 21st Century remains a magnet for travellers from all over the world. The town`s present day popularity owes much to the Victorians, and as early as 1812, when the Comet steamship linked Oban with Glasgow, the town played host to intrepid travellers touring Staffa - the inspiration for Mendelssohn`s Hebridean Overture - and Iona - home of Scottish Christianity since St Columba stepped ashore in AD563.

Indeed once Oban had the royal seal of approval from Queen Victoria, who called it "one of the finest spots we have seen", the town`s destiny as an endearingly enchanting holiday destination was as firmly set as the lava columns of Fingal`s Cave in Staffa.

After arriving Lizzie May`s skipper will explain the plan for the next few days, dependant on weather and tides. After safety briefings, you will be introduced to the traditional sailing skills needed to sail Lizzie May. Apart from her barrel windlass there are no winches on board – just blocks and tackles. She has five sails for fast light wind sailing and smaller sail plans to cope with higher wind speeds and of course an auxiliary diesel engine for use when the wind disappears. Her design is based on the tough pilot cutters that operated in the long ocean swells off the Isles of Scilly, she is a great boat to go out in the wilder weather and feel like you are on a much larger vessel.

Lizzie May will probably be berthed alongside the North pier in Oban bay where you will be able to embark. The first passage will be an ideal opportunity to familiarise every one with the sailing rig and therefore gain confidence within the group. There are many deep water and sheltered anchorages within reach and the best option tonight is Tobermory on Mull where fresh shellfish could be available straight from the local waters. Your evening aboard will be spent enjoying the warm ambiance of Lizzie Mays main cabin during dinner.

Day 2 - As you head down the sound of Mull the wind will probably be blowing from the North West and with the help of the lofty topsail Lizzie May could achieve respectable speeds. Good pilotage is required to wind your way through the various navigational marks in the Sound of Mull and the chart table is open for those crew interested in following the route on a chart. Tidal as well as wind considerations make the navigators job interesting.

The coastline on the starboard (right) side is fairly low with green pastures near the waterline while on the port (left) side, by contrast is rugged and dramatic with waterfalls pouring from high sheer cliff tops and high valleys between which sometimes cause strong downdrafts.

Lismore is a beautiful and interesting Island and if time permits can offer the choice of two short passages; one leaving the island to starboard and the other leaving it to port. The close water sailing and exploration around the Lismore Coast is made easy by the spacious and stable deck of Lizzie May. Lismore was famous for its production of lime and you can see several disused lime kilns on her coastline

By this time the crew should be sail handling and helming with confidence which comes surprisingly quickly and whatever you do it will always feel like a longer holiday because you will have fitted so many experiences into three days.

Tonights port of call could be Port Ramsey or Port Appin both of which are on Lismore.

Day 3 - Lismore, long, narrow, low-lying and fertile, sits neatly in Loch Linnhe in the south-western end of the Great Glen. The island is tranquil and unspoiled, and surrounded on all sides by stunning mountain scenery, from Ben Nevis in the north (snow-covered in winter) and the Glencoe hills, round, in a clockwise direction, to Ben Cruachan, the hills of Mull to the south and Morvern to the west.

The island is steeped in history, particularly religious history, having been the seat of the Bishops of Argyll, with a Cathedral church, dating from the 13th century, partly surviving in the present Church of Saint Moluag a contemporary, and legend has it, rival of Saint Columba: Moluag it was who brought Christianity to Lismore. As you sail out into the loch you could be hoisting the lofty topsail to give Lizzie May an extra turn of speed or honeing your helming skills.

Todays route will take you into the Stewarts of Appin territory which is immortalised in Robert Louis Stevensons book "Kidnapped". The deep and sheltered bay of Kintallen is just round the corner from the house of the Stewarts and we might spend the night at anchor here in Kintallen Bay. A visit to the famous Holly Tree Hotel could be arranged where you can celebrate the last night of your cruise.

Day 4 - "Time and tide waits for no man" and an early start could be required in order to catch the flood tide at the Corran Narrows. Pulling up the anchor is interesting as the barrel windlass or anchor winch is operated by a team of four. It is a manual operation and requires great team work.

After the Corran narrows the Linnie Loch widens where Lizzie May can again spread her wings with all sails flying and glide effortlessly up the often calm waters attracting much approval from passers by.

You might leave Lizzie May at Corpach or Banavie which is at the top of Neptunes Staircase in enchanting Caledonian Canal.

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.
 

Fort William

Fort William is the natural centre of a large area of Scotland and has excellent road and train links. Glasgow and Inverness airports are both under 100 miles away while Prestwick airport is just 45 minutes south of Glasgow.

It is the largest town in the Highlands and is also known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK due to its proximity to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.

The pedestrianised High Street has a good range of shops, particularly for outdoor enthusiasts. The Grog and Gruel is a popular pub and there is also the award winning Crannog Seafood Restaurant. The West Highland Museum in the centre of town is good if you have some extra time.

Fort William offers plenty of hotel, B&Bs and guesthouses.  Visit Fort William gives details.
 

Lizzie May sailing in Scotland 

See below for all 2012 voyages on Lizzie May

Specifications

Lizzie May was built new in 1999 by Luke Powell of Working Sail using traditional construction techniques to create a wooden pilot cutter with real character. Her frames are oak with larch planking and hardwood deck. Lizzie is 42ft on deck with a long 13ft bowsprit and lofty topmast. Her beam of 12ft gives her plenty of flat deck space and her low profile coach house is barely visible so all onlookers see is a traditional boat with lovely sheer lines.

The coach house also provides outward facing seating so you wont miss the scenery. All the rigging is ash blocks and tackles so you wont be sitting down for long.

There are no winches on board so everybody keeps warm and active pulling together. Sailing in Scotland requires a good anchor and true to her working boat origins Lizzie May has a barrel windlass to raise the anchor.

The vessel weighs 18 ton with a long deep keel—ideal for open sea sailing. The large mainsail can be slab reefed and even the staysail can be reefed in strong winds, so with a storm jib too she can make the most of the wilder days.. On light wind days she can glide up the lochs and narrows with a large flying jib and gaff topsail. 

Below Decks

Below decks is very light with loads of character and varnished wood. There are two single berths in the forepeak, three berths in the saloon and a double berth in the starboard quarter with limited headroom (back of the boat). Please remember this is only a 42ft boat with an elegant raked stern so spaces are communal, there are a few low beams and limited storage.

Lizzie has a lovely oak table, a small heater in the saloon, hot and cold water and WC, galley and modern navigational equipment. She carries all safety equipment required for her commercial coding under the MCA (Marine Coastguard Agency) and licensed to sail offshore up to 60 miles from a safe haven.

Lizzie May Skipper Jerry 

Jerry Headley bought Lizzie May in 2007- with the intention of setting up his own charter company, after a rather life changing voyage to Paimpol Shanty Festival on 'Eve of St Mawes.' He was not the only Eve crew on that voyage to find themselves owning a classic wooden boat. (Classical Guitarist James Boyd bought classic yacht Concord - currently nominated for Classic Boat Magazine Restoration of the Year)
 

Jerry's enthusiasm for pilot cutters shone through and it was evident he would make a sociable and relaxed charter skipper. Classic Sailing were thrilled to work with Jerry to establish Eve's  'sister ship' on the West Coast of Scotland, near Jerry's home. 

Lizzie May Printable details and Voyage Notes Lizzie May PDF

Lizzie May 2012 Schedule 

	Lizzie May Easter Bank Holiday 3 days for only £390 LM1201	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 06/04/2012 - 15:00- to Mon, 09/04/2012 - 15:00
	Lizzie May Scottish Weekend Breaks 2 days for only £260 LM1202	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 20/04/2012 - 15:00- to Sun, 22/04/2012 - 15:00
	Lizzie May Weekend Sailing 2 days for only £260 LM1203	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 04/05/2012 - 15:00- to Sun, 06/05/2012 - 15:00

	Lizzie May Weekend Sailing 2 days for only £260 LM1204	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 18/05/2012 - 15:00- to Sun, 20/05/2012 - 15:00
	Lizzie May Weekend Sailing 2 days for only £260 LM1205	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 01/06/2012 - 15:00- to Sun, 03/06/2012 - 15:00
	Lizzie May - Arran, Mull of Kintyre, Islay, Jura on the way to Oban 5 Days £650 LM1206	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Oban	Fri, 15/06/2012 - 15:00- to Wed, 20/06/2012 - 10:00
	Lizzie May - West Coast Adventure- North to Mull, Skye or South to Jura, Islay etc - FULL LM1207	Lizzie May	Oban	Oban	Wed, 20/06/2012 - 15:00- to Wed, 27/06/2012 - 10:00
	Lizzie May - West Coast Adventure- Oban to Falmouth - 7 days - £780 - FULL LM1208	Lizzie May	Oban	Falmouth, UK	Fri, 29/06/2012 - 15:00- to Fri, 06/07/2012 - 10:00
	Lizzie May - Brest International Festival of the Sea 2012 - 6 days - £780 LM1209	Lizzie May	Falmouth, UK	Brest, France	Thu, 12/07/2012 - 15:00- to Wed, 18/07/2012 - 10:00
	Lizzie May - Brest to Douarnenez 2012 - 3 days - £390 LM1210	Lizzie May	Brest, France	Douarnenez, France	Wed, 18/07/2012 - 15:00- to Sat, 21/07/2012 - 10:00

What to bring

Boats have very limited stowage space so please limit yourself to one soft collapsible bag or rucksack (not a suitcase).
Bring a sleeping bag (we provide pillows and pillow cases).
We can supply waterproof jackets and trousers but you may prefer to bring your own if you have them.
A hat for sun or cold weather.
Swimsuit, towel and sun cream.
Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or deck shoes. Sailing boots or wellies as the sea can wash over the deck (an alternative to boots in the summer is another pair of trainers in case the first pair get wet).
A small rucksack is useful for going ashore.
Camera, binoculars, sketchbook and a good read.
Any medication, spare spectacles, seasick tablets (check which brand with your doctor if you are on any medication)

RYA Cruising Logbook if you are keeping a record of your experience for qualification purposes.

Musical instruments are most welcome.