| Voyage Number | LM1011 |
| Voyage price | £695 for 5 days |
| Voyage Dates | 11/06/2010 - 15:00 - 16/06/2010 - 15:00 |
| Depart from | Largs |
| Finishing Port | Largs |
| Voyage area | Scotland |
| Voyage type | Adventure Voyage , Wildlife Voyages |
| Vessel | Lizzie May |
| Availability | Available |
| BOOKING FORM >>> |

The Firth of Clyde is one of the largest areas of sheltered deep water in the British Isles. As a result it has been a major centre for recreational boating for over a century.
Lizzie May is based at Largs during the start and end of the season so this really is her local sailing ground and you can benefit from the skippers local knowledge in this wonderful scenic crusing ground. Close enough to Glasgow and Edinburgh for a long weekend away on a real working wooden boat - there is also plenty of potential for a longer sailing expedition. You don't need to sail far from Largs to feel you are out in nature's vast playground.
The Clyde’s long lochs penetrate far into the highlands, whilst its outer reaches comprise of a scattering of islands, each different in size and character. The jagged mountain ridge skyline of Arran dominates the outer approaches and provides a classic brooding backdrop to Lizzie May’s cream sails. There are several spectacular anchorages like Brodick Bay.
Bute is smaller and more pastoral, whilst the islands of Great and Little Cumbrae can be circum- navigated in an afternoon. Jump off the wooden quay in Millport with the local boys and girls if you dare. A longer sail in the lee of the Mull of Kintyre peninsula reaches the unique Isle of Sanda. Its pub the ‘Byron Darnton’ is busy with visiting sailors in summer, even though the island has no permanent population. Another offshore foray is to the distinctive lump of Ailsa Craig and home to a huge Gannet colony.

The waters off Western Scotland are rich ecosystems with abundant seafood that matches anything France has to offer. If the opportunity presents itself, and it usually does if you sail a pretty boat, barter with local fishermen for prawns, langoustines and scallops. Its not that we don’t feed you freshly cooked meals on Lizzie May, but to experience seafood fresh from the sea is part of the magic of sailing in Scotland.
Due to the prolific life under the surface and hundreds of miles of remote coastlines, the Hebrides, Western Isles and approaches to the Clyde are great places to spot seals, otters, minke whales, basking sharks and dolphins. The mountains provide inaccessible eyries for Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles, Choughs, Peregrine Falcons and cliffs are home to many large breeding colonies of seabirds like gannets and puffins.
The weather in Scotland can range from shimmering heat haze on white sand beaches, to dramatic rain storms, sleet and snow or white capped waves and vivid blue skies. It changes….and it changes fast.
Why travel to New Zealand or Alaska for awesome skies, moody mountains, wild winds and crystal clear light quality. The Western Isles can take you on an adventure to inspire artist and photographers in a long weekend.
See itinerary page


A traditional holiday resort lying opposite the north end of Great Cumbrae island on the River Clyde. Largs has everything you would expect in a traditional Scottish seaside resort, such as a Victorian promenade and ice cream parlours. It is a good base for exploring the many west coast islands including Great Cumbrae, just a mile offshore. There is a regular ferry service to the islands and the famous Waverley Paddle Steamer makes regular trips from Largs during the summer months. The town is famed for a battle in 1263 when the Vikings, attempting to land from a fleet of longboats, were repulsed by the army of Alexander III. This Viking heritage is celebrated at Vikingar! - a multi-media Viking-themed attraction. If you have a few hours spare in Largs Coastal walk to the Pencil Monument commemorating the Battle of Largs Shopping and dining within the Yacht Haven Coastal walk to Largs town for shopping, banking and cafes etc If you have a half day to spare Walk across to Kelburn Castle and Country Centre Walk to Largs town and visit Vikingar, a visitor attraction that tells the story of the Vikings in Scotland
Head up the M6 into Scotland it becomes the M74 which takes you right into Glasgow.
Accommodation
There are lots of places to stay in Glasgow Visit Scotland has a good local directory.

A traditional holiday resort lying opposite the north end of Great Cumbrae island on the River Clyde. Largs has everything you would expect in a traditional Scottish seaside resort, such as a Victorian promenade and ice cream parlours. It is a good base for exploring the many west coast islands including Great Cumbrae, just a mile offshore. There is a regular ferry service to the islands and the famous Waverley Paddle Steamer makes regular trips from Largs during the summer months. The town is famed for a battle in 1263 when the Vikings, attempting to land from a fleet of longboats, were repulsed by the army of Alexander III. This Viking heritage is celebrated at Vikingar! - a multi-media Viking-themed attraction. If you have a few hours spare in Largs Coastal walk to the Pencil Monument commemorating the Battle of Largs Shopping and dining within the Yacht Haven Coastal walk to Largs town for shopping, banking and cafes etc If you have a half day to spare Walk across to Kelburn Castle and Country Centre Walk to Largs town and visit Vikingar, a visitor attraction that tells the story of the Vikings in Scotland
Head up the M6 into Scotland it becomes the M74 which takes you right into Glasgow.
Accommodation
There are lots of places to stay in Glasgow Visit Scotland has a good local directory.

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 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.

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
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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.
