Scotland offers you some of the finest sailing waters in the UK and how better to explore the rarely reached remote areas of the Western Isles or the charms of the Inner Hebrides than on a traditional sailing vessel? Our skippers will be your wildlife and cultural guides, teach you to sail, and inspire you to make the most of your active holiday on board and ashore. These are fantastic voyages if you love mountains and rugged coasts and want to see Scotland through the eyes of a sailor, get close to wildlife and reach some of the most inaccessible wilderness areas in Britain by boat.
Classic Sailing has a wonderful choice of skippered and fully catered sailing holidays that sail in the Scottish waters. Our traditionally rigged boats, schooners and tall ships roam from St Kilda to Shetland, Skye to Islay. Many voyages are themed and beginners will enjoy shorter breaks exploring the islands whilst more experienced sailors may enjoy the challenging expeditions to St Kilda or the Faroes.
Sailing holidays in Scotland.
Scotland frequently offers warm sunny days and great sailing conditions. At times Scotland can be very windy and the gales can come in fast off the Atlantic at any time of year. The secret ace that sailing in Scotland has over sailing in other Atlantic facing shores like Cornwall or Ireland is the protecting influence of the island chains. The Inner and Outer Hebrides and the tall mountains give you options to find flat seas and sheltered anchorages from almost any wind direction. There are many miles where our tough sailing ships can escape the ocean swell and go for an awesome flat water blast. Not everywhere is protected, but at least there are safe havens where you can go to reef down and reduce sail so you can tackle the next exposed headland or firth.
In June the sun sets very late in the evening so Scottish midsummer days are long. When a high pressure system sits over Scotland you can find yourself in a heatwave with waters so still the mountains and blue skies create a mirror image. The warm Gulf Stream means you can swim off the boat or beach-comb on white quartz sand beaches with no other sunbathers in sight. When a depression sweeps in – boy can it rain, but when the weather front clears the views are crystal clear.
Sailing in the Western Isles of Scotland is one of the best ways of exploring these remote islands. You do not have to worry about accommodation, it’s close to nature but cosier than camping!
The choice of anchorages is endless on a sailing holiday in Scotland and your ‘restaurant’ and home comes with you. The energetic can climb to the highest point ashore and look down on your boat alone in perfect natural anchorages that south coast sailors can only dream of. If you prefer solitude to wander the edge of the loch looking for otters, or sketch the landscape then our skippers can generally suggest shorter walks or perfect beaches near to your landing spot. The best bit of the day if often swapping stories from each others forays ashore. Self sufficient aboard your floating home; you can relax snugly in the saloon and wait for supper with an appetite as large as the hills.
If your heart is already set on Scotland as a cruising ground, then your next choice might be ‘Which vessel?’
Maybe and Blue Clipper love to explore the western Ilses of Scotland. Maybe is a wooden gaff ketch popular with young people but takes all ages, often sailing around the Firth of Clyde. Blue Cli[per has two person cabins and is offering high standards of catering for her voyages in Scotland.
Tecla and Oosterschelde are Dutch tall ships that have sailed the world, and often visit Scotland on the way to more far flung destinations.
Tecla has made Ullapool her favourite Scottish home port, as it has easy access North of Skye to the Shiant Isles, Outer Hebrides and St Kilda. She spends time in the Hebrides in the Spring, when there is still snow on the Highland summits on the way to Iceland and Greenland.
Oosterschelde is a large three masted topsail schooner with elegant below decks accommodation including a piano and spends some time in Scotland most years.
What experience level is needed for Scottish sailing holidays? No previous sailing experience is required. Scotland offers some of the UK’s finest sailing waters perfect for beginners and experienced sailors. Skippers serve as wildlife and cultural guides while teaching practical seamanship. Whether exploring the Inner Hebrides or attempting challenging expeditions to St Kilda, professional crews provide hands-on instruction suited to your experience level and the voyage type.
Why is Scotland’s weather better for sailing than expected? Scotland frequently offers warm sunny days with great sailing conditions. The secret advantage over other Atlantic-facing shores like Cornwall or Ireland is the protecting island chains. The Inner and Outer Hebrides and tall mountains provide options to find flat seas and sheltered anchorages from almost any wind direction. While gales can come fast off the Atlantic, you’ll find many miles of flat water blasts between protective islands.
What makes Scottish sailing unique as a holiday experience? Your boat becomes your bothy (mountain shelter), letting you reach Scotland’s most inaccessible wilderness areas by water. Combine sailing with walking to hilltops for views down to your floating home in perfect natural anchorages that south coast sailors only dream of. Hunt for otters along lochs, sketch landscapes, or climb mountains, then return to your cosy saloon for supper with an appetite as large as the hills.
What wildlife will we see sailing in Scotland? Scottish waters offer incredible wildlife. Sea eagles hunt near Mull, otters play along loch edges, and minke whales breach offshore. Expect puffins, seabirds on inaccessible cliffs, and possibly dolphins. The rich seas and abundant marine life result from the warm Gulf Stream meeting cold northern waters. Long midsummer days in June provide extended wildlife watching opportunities with late sunsets.
Which vessels sail in Scottish waters and where do they go? Classic Sailing offers several vessels exploring Scottish waters. Provident specializes in the Hebrides with accommodations suitable for those with mobility concerns. Tecla and Oosterschelde are Dutch tall ships visiting Scotland en route to destinations like Iceland and Greenland. Voyages range from the Firth of Clyde and Inner Hebrides to remote St Kilda, Outer Hebrides, and sometimes north to Shetland and the Faroes.
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