- Explore the finest sailing in Europe, sailing amidst the many beautiful islands which dot the West Highlands coastline
- Take the wheel of our traditional 75-year old gaff-cutter yacht as you sail from island to island
- Experience the extraordinary marine wildlife of Scotland in its most unspoilt wild locations
- 6 nights accommodation on the traditional sailing yacht u2018Eda Frandsen’
- All meals during the trip, starting with an evening meal on Day 1 and finishing with breakfast on the final day (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All specialist group sailing equipment
- The services of a highly experienced skipper, first mate and cook
Our Green graded Sailing Journeys are suitable for people with no previous sailing experience however a reasonable level of fitness is required.
We are based aboard Eda Frandsen – a beautiful 70 year old traditional yacht. Sailing aboard Eda is a hands-on experience as there are no winches on board to help raise sail, so everyone is needed to help out on deck. You will be asked to help hoist sails and help sail the yacht, which is fun but can be challenging so you must be physically able to cope with this.
The areas below deck for sleeping/eating etc are compact but functional so you should also be comfortable with the idea of having limited personal space for the duration of the trip, as expected when living on a boat!
5th May - 11th May 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.19th May - 25th May 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.26th May - 1st Jun 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.23rd Jun - 29th Jun 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.14th Jul - 20th Jul 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.21st Jul - 27th Jul 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.28th Jul - 3rd Aug 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.11th Aug - 17th Aug 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.18th Aug - 24th Aug 2018
James MacKenzie
Sailor, skipper and all-round salty sea dog. Meet James here.ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
Eda Frandsen is a beautifully restored 75-year old Gaff Cutter. She is extremely graceful and her rails and spars gleam with varnish. The rig is entirely traditional showing incredible workmanship. Down below, she is comfortable and well equipped, but please understand that personal space is still limited. There is a comfortable saloon and 4 u2018cabins’ with twin sleeping berths in a bunk arrangement. The cabins are separated from the saloon by privacy curtains. Each berth has its own locker storage. Please ensure that you bring your personal belongings in a soft holdall that can be compressed to fit into the locker. There are 2 u201cheadsu201d or bathrooms including one with shower facility. The layout of the boat can be seen on the plan below.
Although we may be at sea, the food is a real highlight and we can expect creative and wholesome meals often prepared with fresh local produce, such as seafood or venison.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: Due to the small size of the galley and being at sea we are not able to accommodate as wide a range of diets on this trip. If you have any dietary requirements please discuss this with us before you book so we can check with the skipper to see if this can be accommodated. If we are not aware of your dietary needs at the time of booking we cannot guarantee we will be able to cater for them.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
The trip begins in Mallaig harbour at 3:00pm on Day 1. Mallaig is a small village and the harbour is right in the centre, just yards from the railway station. Please make your own way to the harbour. We aim to have you back to Mallaig at 10:00am on the last day. Eda Frandsen is easy to find – she has the highest mast in the harbour! The crew will be on board so just say hello and they will welcome you aboard.
For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website:
Customer Kudos
Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us.
Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.
That's why we read each of our client's reviews and although we don't respond to all of them, if it's glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.
by David Hall 28/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Gave me plenty of detail.
Trip Comments
Sailing to the Scottish West coast islands.
Accommodation and Food
Bed space cramped, storage also just as it would have been years ago so very authentic.
Your Guide
Much info given about each island.
The Bottom Line
Great.
by Claire Lindsay 28/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Amazing.... best trip. Fabulous crew, food out of this world. Very knowledgable crew and nothing too much trouble.
Accommodation and Food
Outstanding food
Your Guide
Very suppprtive and knowledgeable, great fun to be with.
The Bottom Line
Exceptional holiday, amazing experience.
by Jamie Bush 28/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Wonderful experience with fantastic crew. Patient, supportive and fun. Our enjoyment seemed to be their main objective. Scenery and wildlife to remember. The rest of the party made it a week to remember.
Accommodation and Food
Accommodation on a boat, it is what it is. Chloe's food made it seem like a culinary trip as much as a sailing experience. We talked about the food often on the long trip back to Devon. No wonder James and Gabe appear so happy. Never the same breakfast twice during the week. Homemade bread and cakes. All in a galley smaller than a toilet cubicle. Smiling writing this and thinking about the falafel, fruit and lemon curd tarts........I could go on.
Your Guide
Wonderful, wonderful and wonderful. And Sam too, a great little bonus
The Bottom Line
Two great experiences this year and last. Thoughtfully constructed weeks delivered by truly lovely guides each time. Great fun. If anyone wants a recommendation....book!
by Mary Dunn 14/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
The communication before the trip was very good and information was sent out in plenty of time.
Trip Comments
The trip on board the Eda Frandson was outstanding in every single way and exceeded my expectations far beyond any level. Accommodation and bathroom facilities on board are cramped but who needs luxury marinas when you can go further and further into the wilderness and experience views, tranquillity and solitude that you only dream of. The crew sailed us to the most stunning little corners of the Hebrides where we seldom saw another boat or any people at all, with long white sand beaches, breath-taking views every second of the day, all polished off with the most amazing meals provided to us by Chloe. Other reviewers have raved about her food but she deserves the highest of accolades. The food on this trip was Michelin-starred, restaurant-worthy, gourmet, freshly prepared and imaginative. Fresh crabs straight from the sea and freshly baked mouth-watering cakes and bread. Stunning. Well done to James, Gabe and Chloe for being a great team and looking after us so well. It also helped that we were a fun bunch of people and gelled very well together and had great fun. I have raved about this trip to everyone I know.
Accommodation and Food
Sleeping arrangements are small and cramped - it's a boat! Spend as much of your time as possible above deck. Food as already stated - amazing!!!
Your Guide
The 3-person crew were exceptional - laid-back, friendly, kind, and always looking out for us.
The Bottom Line
Outstanding experience in every way.
by Dan Brittain 11/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
by Susann Postel 07/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
The Food was just great and accommodation what can be expected.
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
I'm sure I will return at some point.
by Terry Challis 03/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Made everything easy to find and plan for.
Trip Comments
The Chef aboard was amazing, First Mate was very patient as he taught us "the ropes", Captain was very skilled and made the trip so interesting with the variety of anchorages and hiking stops. Very memorable trip.
Accommodation and Food
Accommodations were very snug, but to be expected on a schooner of this size and age. Food coming out of the tiny galley was amazing, different country's cuisine at every meal and what an artist with spices!
Your Guide
As mentioned, they gave us a good variety of scenery and activities at our different anchorages and "lunch stops".
The Bottom Line
Schooner travel is not for everyone. If you want luxury cabins and musical stage shows, take a cruise. If you want an active vacation as well as a step back in time, you might be a potential schooner traveler. This is my 3rd schooner trip and I always seem to meet very interesting, international sort of folk who enjoy playing cards, board games and exchanging stories since you are often "out of range" electronically-- that makes it great for a multi-generational family vacation. Scotland's Inner Hebrides offer some stunning, dramatic scenery while you learn "the ropes".
by Gaelen Hallenbeck 02/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Amazing trip, once in a lifetime indeed! Made extra special because of the extraordinary crew of James, Chloe, and Gabe!! Could not be happier, and exceeded all of my expectations!
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
by Patrick Hallenbeck 01/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Every question considered and fully answered
Trip Comments
The sailing trip was very unique and very well crewed.
Accommodation and Food
There is n o way that the gourmet food that was served could have been beat!
Your Guide
The crew was very observant of the different ability levels present
The Bottom Line
by Kristin Beneski 31/07/2017
Pre-Trip Service
We really appreciated receiving detailed information about our trip, what to pack, etc. well in advance. We also appreciated the periodic check-ins before our trip.
Trip Comments
We had an amazing time aboard the Eda Frandsen with James, Chloe, and Gabe. The setting was gorgeous, the food was outstanding, and sailing on the Eda was the perfect way to explore the Inner Hebrides.
Accommodation and Food
The food was outstanding. I don't believe I've ever eaten so well for six days straight as I did while on the Eda.
Your Guide
Our guides were excellent. They were all very warm, friendly, helpful, and funny. We couldn't have asked for a better crew to spend the week with.
The Bottom Line
We would highly recommend sailing the Inner Hebrides on the Eda Fransen. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Prices and Departures
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2018 Trip Dates
2019 Trip Dates
Trip Details
Travelling by traditional yacht, we are able to explore the islands and fjord-like lochs which make the fissured coastline of the west of Scotland one of the most spectacular places to sail in the world.
Following the winds, we will journey through the Hebrides, setting anchor in tranquil and scenic spots where you can enjoy an evening dram amidst outstanding scenery.
In a coastal region renowned for its diversity of wildlife, we have every chance of seeing whales, basking sharks and dolphins, as well as a plethora of birdlife. Set against the backdrop of the islands’ fascinating history and culture, this maritime adventure makes for a truly unique and memorable sailing holiday based on board the finest traditional yacht in Scotland.
We offer sailing holidays of 6 nights, with fixed dates for each trip. You must join the trip for the duration of it as we will not return to Mallaig until the end of the trip.
The price includes live-aboard accommodation, all meals during the trip and the services of the skipper, first mate and skipper throughout the trip. There are a maximum of 8 clients on board.
It is possible to book the entire yacht privately for your group – please contact us for details if this is of interest. Early booking is highly recommended for private charters.
Please read the trip dossier for details of the yacht. Please note that, being a traditional yacht, this is a sailing adventure rather than a cruise. Therefore, you should familiarise yourself with what to expect from life on board. She is a wonderful yacht but you do need to be relatively fit and agile to get the most from life on board during this sailing holiday. While there is a shower on board, you will need to be conservative with water consumption as there are limited places where the yacht can re-supply.
Please do call our office if you have any questions about your suitability for this trip.
Our Sailing Journeys offer a different way to experience some of the finest scenery in the Scottish Highlands, and are open for individuals to join. Starting and finishing from the fishing village of Mallaig, located west of Fort William, this journey of no fixed itinerary is largely dictated by the wind and the best sailing conditions at the time.
Please note that, unlike our ‘Sailing & Walking’ trips, there is no walking guide on board the yacht. The emphasis is on sailing, although there will be time ashore on many islands and the crew may lead walks on request. The yacht is crewed by a skipper, first mate and chef, each of whom has an excellent knowledge of the islands.
The Sound of Sleat is renowned for being an excellent place to experience Scotland’s rich and diverse marine wildlife. This includes minke whales, basking sharks, dolphins, porpoises and seals, as well as a vast number of seabirds. Whatever route you take, you can be assured of a wonderful sailing experience set amidst some of Scotland’s finest scenery.
Trip Itinerary
Although the itineraries are not fixed, areas you may visit include:
Eilean Shona – translating as the beautiful island, it could not be better named
Eigg – one of the most distinctive skylines on the west coast and a charming island
Muck – the smallest of the Small Isles is a delightful place to explore on foot
Rum – a wild island boasting one of the most unusual castles in Scotland
Canna – one of the least visited islands in Scotland offers one of the finest viewpoints in the Hebrides from petite Compass Hill
Skye – Loch Scavaig offers one of the most dramatic anchorages in the world, with the Black Cuillin mountains rising directly from the shoreline
Knoydart – this remote peninsula is home to the most remote pub in Scotland
In addition to the above islands, there are many other smaller islands, sea-lochs and coves which it may be possible to visit during your trip. On longer trips, it may even be possible to reach the Outer Hebrides with its many magical islands.
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PhonePrices and Departures
40 people viewed this trip in the last week
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