Lizzie May - Skye and Rum, Minke Whales and Sea Eagles - FULL

Voyage Number	LM1021
Voyage price	£795
Voyage Dates	21/08/2010 - 10:00 - 26/08/2010 - 15:00
Depart from	Mallaig
Finishing Port	Oban
Voyage area	Scotland , UK
Voyage type	Adventure Voyage , Wildlife Voyages
Vessel	Lizzie May
Availability	Available
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Voyage Description

Explore West Coast of Scotland under Sail

Minke whale watching, looking for sea eagles and experiencing the beauty of The Small Isles is what this voyage is all about.  There is no finer way to see the West Coast of Scotland than from a boat and this trip gives you a wider range of experiences and scenery than from any other way. No sailing experience is necessary as you will be given full training so you can be an active part of the crew.

After safety briefings and training you will set off and depending on the weather it could be into Loch Nevis or out to the islands of Canna, one of favourite Scottish Islands, Rum, Muck and Eigg.

Loch Nevis: Closer to Mallaig is the isolated Loch Nevis with the remotest pub on the mainland of Great Britain. The Old Forge sits at the centre of the tiny hamlet of Inverie which is not connected by road to anywhere else. Transport to and from Inverie is solely by water craft.

Rum: The small and tall island that is justly famous for its bird life and Kinloch Castle.

Kinloch Castle: The construction of Kinloch Castle started in 1897 using red sandstone imported from Annan, Dumfriesshire and took three years to build employing upwards of 300 craftsmen. Including stonemasons, carpenters, woodcarvers, stained glass makers and many other specialist trades. One in particular however was almost unique, that of electrician, as Kinloch Castle was the first private residence in Scotland to have electricity, with a dam constructed on the Coire Dhu burn for hydro generation. If you get the chance to see round Kinloch Castle keep an eye out for the concealed band space for the Ballroom. From pleasure to pain and a very old but modern for its day Dental Room.

The Birdlife of Rum
Both Rum and Canna are famous for White Tailed Sea Eagles and on Rum there are three of four breeding pairs of Golden Eagles. For this and the other bird life Rum has been designated a SPA (Special Protected Area)

Skye: This beautiful island was recently voted the fourth best island in the world by National Geographic Magazine.  Inlets, bays and islands create a complex lacework pattern with the sea. Tiny villages and historic keeps are familiar and fascinating. A place where time means nothing, and beneath every footstep lies 500 million years of history.

Coll: The isle of Coll is a small hebridean island some four miles west of Mull.  Coll has lots of wild, raw nature that thrives due to the solitude.  It is beautiful, peaceful and has pure white sandy beaches. 

Mull: Making your way South as you enter the Northern end of the Sound of Mull you come to Tobermorray with its multi coloured houses and famous Mishnish Hostelry. It sits in a small sheltered bay is an ideal stopping place.

Oban: The voyage ends in Oban and unfortunately you have to leave Lizzie May to get ready for her next crew.

Lizzie May 6 Day Western Isles of Scotland Expedition - ITINERARY

Day 1 - Joining in Arisaig at 3pm. See Arisaig Port details on how to join the ship. The skipper will give you an introduction to Lizzie May and a safety briefing before setting off that afternoon or evening.

The expected route is out to the Small Isles but where you stop is dependent on many factors but the skipper will have many places to choose from.

Lizzie May’s skipper will explain the plan for the next few days, dependant on weather and tides. After s

afety briefings, you will be introduced to the traditional sailing skills need

to sail Lizzie May. Apart from her barrel windlass there are no winches on board – just blocks and tackles.
The beauty of sailing in Scotland amongst the islands is that there are nearly always several deep water routes you can chose, and an infinite number of anchorages

where you may be the only boat.

Day 2 - After a delicious breakfast Lizze will set sail for the next 3 days and first probably head for the enchanting Small Isles West Of Mallaig. With a choice of different anchorages amongst these islands, the crew will learn much from the Skipper of Canna, Muck, Eigg and Rhum. In the sound of Rhum there is a possibility of sighting Minke whales feeding in these plankton rich waters.

Day 3 - Continuing our voyage South perhaps with the lofty topsail hoisted, Lizzie May could enjoy a fast reach to Arinagour on the Island of Coll where a mooring will be available. Oportunity here after arrival to enjoy an excellent but easy walk across to magnificent white sandy beaches on the SW coast of Coll. The evening will be spent enjoying character full main cabin with the possibility of some live music from the ship`s guitar.

Day 4 - Today could be spent exploring the Treshnish Isles including a possible landing at Staffa , made famous by Mendelssohn`s Hebridean Overture. The night may be spent at Iona, the sacred Isle of Saint Columba.

Day 5 - Good sailing today, hopefully with a chance for the crew to participate in pilotage and navigation, particularly around the SW of Mull , an area made famous by RL Stevenson in his book "Kidnapped".

Day 6 - The voyage endsin Oban at 1000hrs

Please remember the itinerary of sailing vessels is subject to wind, tide and other considerations and the Skipper has the final decision on where the boat goes.

Getting to Mallaig

Mallaig is not very big but the quays are very busy with fishing boats, so please make contact with the skipper before clambering down ladders or accross fishing boats.

For Lizzie May please meet at the junction shown by the blue balloon in the map below.

By Road
Head up the A82 from Glasgow and keep going all the way past Loch Lomond and its steam ships and all the way to just beyond Fort William. Past Fort William turn left on the A830 to Mallaig.

There is free parking just before you enter Mallaig on the left hand side. In frequent use by sailors, people leave their cars there for a week at a time.  

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

By Train
ScotRail has direct trains for Mallaig that leave from Glasgow Central Station or via Inverness leaving Buchanan Street Station, Glasgow or from Waverley Station in Edinburgh

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.
 

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.