Scotland by Yacht

Embark on an otherworldly Adventure

Epic waterways, magical valleys and breathtaking landscapes combined with superb seafood, whiskey and unique excursions; the Scottish Highlands will let your imagination about Scotland come true. We designed an itinerary with a duration of 10 day. Embark with your V&J specialist on an epic adventure and explore the mysterious lochs, pass through some of Scotland’s most sensational scenery, explore the stunning islands and stretches of coastline, and witness an abundance of wildlife and marine life. Let us guide you through the untouched wilderness. Discover some of the most stunning, unspoilt scenery Scotland has to offer. Dine on exceptional locations and taste one of the world's finest seafood, enjoy a round of golf, unique whisky tastings, mountain biking and hiking in this dramatic natural landscape.

These fierce Highland territories belong to some of Europe’s wildest reaches, ancient history is recorded among these valleys. These landscapes of outstanding natural beauty have captivated the hearts of adventurers around the world, the isles and sea lochs of Scotland’s coastlines are one of the world’s great yachting destinations. The Western Isles act as a breakwater deflecting North Atlantic swell, mind-blowing mountain scenery scattered among dramatic lochs with lush green landscapes filles with Scots pine and sunlit golden sand beaches, deserted and inaccessible except by yacht. Spot seals lounging on rocks, eagles and ospreys circling overhead, puffins chattering along rugged cliffs while sailing these mystical waters.

Arrive in Edinburgh where you will spend the night in one of the most legendary hotels of the city, where you will be welcomed by your V&J specialist. During the evening there will be a small briefing about the entire itinerary followed by a traditional Scottish night. The day after we will take a scenic helicopter ride to Oban where you will embark your home away from home, after settling in enjoy a drink at the bar to kick of this great adventure. Diner will be prepared by the chef that will offer the days fresh seafood from the terminals in Oban while we will depart through the southern Kerrera channel. Wake up the next morning looking over the dazzling white of Iona’s stretches of sand, known worldwide as the “The cradle of Christianity”. Iona was where Columba and his followers arrived in AD 563 to spread the gospel in Scotland and the north of England. But it is the wildlife and natural beauty that makes Iona truly legendary. The next day we will set sail for the Treshnish Isles, 8 emerald gems which dazzle with their stunning scenery, varied marine life and majestic inhabitants, including rare puffins and seals. After a full day venturing through the islands and Fingal’s cave we will anchor overnight in Kentra Bay, where we will set out the perfect settings for a sundowner on the beach to admire the full beauty of the bay, which at this time of year is awash with the pink hues of flowering thrift. The next morning we will take back in time and visit Armadale, Skye’s back door. Discover the epic story of Scotland’s largest and most powerful clan with a trip to the Castle and Gardens of Clan MacDonald. Later on the day, we head back across the Sound of Sleat towards a protected anchorage in Inverie. As you watch the sun set behind Ladhar Bheinn, drink in hand, you’ll enjoy the feeling of remoteness that this rugged landscape affords.

With Ladhar Bheinn behind us, let’s discover more of the most famous destinations in Scotland, the isle of Skye, where you will experience one of the finest and most dramatic anchorages in Scotland. You will enjoy breakfast with the view over Loch Scavaig, after breakfast we will take the helicopter to a location near Loch Harport, after a lovely morning hike we set up a unique clay pigeon shooting session surrounded with one the most extraordinary views, the mottled granite peaks of the Cuillins, where you will be joined by one of the most legendary gunmakers in the United Kingdom to experience the most extraordinary craftmanship in your own hands followed by a lunch made on location. Afterwards we will continue to the oldest whiskey distillery on the isle of Skye and one of the most renowned in Scotland, the Talisker distillery for a private visit and tasting. During this experience, the captain positions the yacht on the north coast of Skye, the perfect scenic anchorage for a lovely afternoon and evening. Before dinner we set up one of the most expansive whiskeys tasting Scotland has to offer (defiantly not available anywhere) where you will the opportunity to taste the most desirable whiskeys from each corner of the Scotland lead by a renowned whiskey expert.

After a late breakfast and relaxed morning, we make sure all the camera gear is ready. We are heading to the most photographed castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan. Dangling from the mainland by a single stone bridge, this crenelated fortress with its scenic backdrop has appeared on the big screen, such as Pierce Brosnan’s turn as James Bond in The World Is Not Enough (1999). Discover this location completely for yourself in the evening we created your own royal banquet with Eilean Donan in the background. The next day we will head more South towards the isle of Eigg, where we tender around the shore to spot their wild descendants, the otters. Then head to Loch Drumbuie, one of the best yachting anchorages in Scotland. This is the ideal place to explore by kayak. For the final stop we will head to the Island of Kerrera, to the island’s southern shores to take in the view of Gylen Castle, a little clifftop stronghold that wouldn’t look out of place in Game of Thrones, on this location we will spend our last night, where we prepared a in Scottish traditions. The next day, after breakfast the helicopter will be standing ready to take us back to Edinburgh.

The reason we advise to realize this itinerary in the beginning of May until the end of June is because these are the pristine months for sailing around Scotland with wonderful long days and short nights. The meteorological statistics suggest that July and August are the wetter months with occasional gales, and they can be real howlers. In September there is so much less pressure on anchorages but then the more disturbed autumn weather is approaching.