Whisky Cruise with The Majestic Line around the Scottish Inner Hebrides on the Glen Etive

The Majestic Line offers a ten day cruise, around the Inner Hebrides, dropping anchor outside whisky distilleries. Rupert Parker climbs on board.

The Glen EtiveThe Glen Etive is the newest addition to the Majestic Line, and this is her third voyage. It will take me over to Mull, then to Colonsay, and stopping off at Jura and Islay for the whisky festival – Malt and Music. It’s a five minute transfer by tender to the ship and I’m welcomed on board by bosun Michelle Wheeler who thrusts a glass of prosecco into my hand. One of her many responsibilities over the next ten days is to ensure that my glass is never empty, but she’s really there to ensure the highest level of service. 

There are just six cabins, four crew and nine passengers, although it can take a maximum of a dozen, and with this high crew to passenger ratio it feels like a private yacht. Michelle shows me to my quarters which contain a large double bed, separate shower and toilet and is economical on space without being cramped. She services the cabins every morning, usually when everyone’s at breakfast.

Loch SpelveAn hour’s sailing brings us to our anchorage in Loch Spelve, on the island of Mull, and it’s turned into a fine evening. We sit together, round a large rectangular table, and Captain David Wheeler briefs us about the cruise.  There’s no set itinerary, as it all depends on the weather and the state of the seas, but he’s confident he’ll be able to make it to Islay.

Next day dawns bright and calm, so much so that he decides to brave the whirlpools of the Gulf of Corryvrekan, between the islands of Scarba and Jura. This is a treacherous stretch of water and the combination of tide and wind regularly whips up 15ft waves.  Today it’s like a millpond and even the whirlpools are less than spectacular. We emerge without mishap and anchor off the village of Scalasaig on the Island of Colonsay. There’s no distillery here but it does have its own brewery – a pint of their IPA is most welcome after a long hike to the glorious white sand beach of Kiloran Bay on the other side of the island.

CraighouseTonight’s anchorage is Craighouse on Jura so it’s back east, through the Sound of Islay to reach the port. The weather has been improving but not enough to cause the cloud to lift completely off the Paps of Jura, the three famously conical mountains in the centre of the island. I decide to take a closer look so stride out up the coast and start to climb. Unfortunately there’s not enough time to reach their summits but I get a good view from the loch below.

I console myself with a dram of the Isle of Jura 16 Year Old, in the Craighouse distillery, before the tender picks me up to take me back on board. The boat’s chef, Michael Weir, conjures up miracles every night, serving his version of classical French food, and I’m greeted by a delicious dinner of roast cod with lemon flavoured carrots. His breakfasts change every morning, lunches always have a selection of salads and there’s tea and cake in the afternoon, just in case you’re slightly peckish.

Port EllenNext day we head south to Port Ellen, on the Isle of Islay. I’ve arrived in the middle of Feis Ile, the week-long festival of malt and music, and today, the famous Laphroiag distillery is staging its open day. It’s about an hour’s walk, and although it’s early, they greet me with a tasting glass and three tokens to exchange for wee drams. The distillery is right by the sea and there’s live folk music serenading the festive crowd. Fortified by tastings of their peaty whisky I also visit the two other distilleries nearby, Lagavulin and Ardbeg.

We now head south and west and the weather is so clear that the coast of Northern Island is clearly visible around 20 miles away. Our destination is Loch Indaal, with Bruichladdich and Bowmore distilleries on opposite banks. Next day it’s Bowmore’s turn to host its open day and I get a chance to explore the town and its famous round church before fitting in a tour of the distillery. It’s astonishing to see the germinating barley laid out in their malt barns – Bowmore is one of only a handful of distilleries still producing its own floor malted barley.

CrinanWe leave Islay and sail to the small Isle of Gigha, just seven miles long and a mile wide. It’s the most southerly of the Hebrides, with a warm microclimate, and the 54 acre Achamore Gardens are well worth a visit. At the end of May, their impressive collection of rhododendrons are in full bloom, a riot of colour, rubbing shoulders with sub-tropical plants like palm lilies and flame trees.

Tonight’s anchorage is just outside the village of Tayvallich, in Loch Sween. After the wilds of Jura the landscape now looks positively civilised but beautiful in a different way. The weather is still set fine, so I leave the boat and walk seven miles to Crinan, at the head of the canal of the same name. This was built in the early 19th century so boats could get to the sea from Loch Fyne and the Firth of Clyde without having to make the perilous journey round the bottom of the Mull of Kintyre. It’s low tide and from the towpath I see an abundance of wading birds and even a couple of Ospreys taking advantage of the rich pickings.

ObanPushing away from the mainland, we arrive in the Slate Isles of Seil and Easdale. There was once a booming quarrying industry here with the islands supplying slates for houses in Glasgow. The tiny Easdale Island, just a mile in diameter, at its peak supported a population of over 500. Unfortunately, in 1881, a freak storm flooded the quarries, and the industry came to an abrupt end. These days its’s a pleasant spot, with the cottages going for holiday lets, and a tiny ferry plies the few hundred yards between the adjacent island of Seil.

Another couple of nights, putting into sheltered spots on the Isle of Mull, brings us back to Oban. As I pack my bag, I look at all the wet and cold weather gear I haven’t needed. Ten continuous days of no rain are almost unheard of in Scotland, and bright sunshine and almost no wind, even rarer. Scenery and shore trips are always at the mercy of the weather, to say nothing of navigating the treacherous seas around these islands. I silently give thanks as I sip my final dram of whisky in the Oban Distillery.

Ardbeg DistilleryThe Glen Etive makes good use of space and has three levels. Up on top, there’s a spacious sun deck and Captain Dave Wheeler is happy to welcome anyone to the bridge. Next level down is the saloon, with sweeping views through large windows. Aft, there’s communal dining round a large rectangular table and, set back from the open bow, is a comfortable lounge with a bar. It’s here that Chef Michael Weir’s marvellous canapés are served every night before dinner and it’s useful to have extra space to relax. Most cabins are downstairs, but there are a couple at this level. It’s still necessary to have a certain level of agility, as you’ll need to negotiate a fixed stair when climbing in and out of the tender. Fortunately the crew are there to assist and a hand rail provides extra support.


190 people found this helpful
18318

Share Article:

Rupert Parker

Writer, photographer, cameraman & TV producer

Leave a comment

*

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Most Recent Articles

Marion Ainge enjoys a gingerbread treat in Grasmere and joins a candle-making masterclass…
Pretty harbours of colourful fishing boats; high cliffs, rugged headlands and sandy coves; and a variety of heritage sites amidst…

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.