Hebridean Adventures 2023 Cruise Brochure

TO THE HEBRIDES

Welcome to Hebridean Adventures, a Scottish -based and owned tour company operating hopping and wildlife-watching adventures around the beautiful islands of the Inner Coast of the Scottish Highlands. Our main boat is the MV Hjalmar Bjørge based based in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis that sleeps 8 with 3 crew also. You will find Private Charter for personal, commercial, research or survey use.

As experts in marine and land -based ecology, Hebridean Adventures have created cruises that can last anywhere from 2 to 12 nights. Our seas here are recognised as many whale and dolphin species present in season, plus white -tailed and golden eagles, other land-based and coastal species seen on our shore excursions as well. We are top-quality binoculars.

We care deeply about the locales and the environment we operate in and keeping Wildlife Safe (WiSE) operator as well as currently holding a Green Tourism silver Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust, and details of all our whale and dolphin sightings their conservation research.

HEBRIDES AND BEYOND!

operating two small cruise boats that offer a fantastic choice of the best islandInner and Outer Hebrides including St Kilda, plus t he stunning and dramatic West based in Oban that sleeps 10 -12 with 3 crew, ably backed up by the MV Monadhliath find fuller details of these boats in the fo llowing pages, and both are available for created a very special selection of unique wildlife and s cenic island-hopping adventure as some of the very best in Europe for spott ing a large range of cetaceans, with eagles, puffins, gannets, and a myriad of other s eabirds, plus seals, otters and proud to partner with Swarovski Optik who outf it us with some of their our operations as sustainable as possible. We are proud to be an accredited silver level award. In addition, we are an officia l charity partner of our local sightings are recorded and submitted digitally via their Whale Track app to assist in

MV Monadhliath is a fully-converted former fishing boat, specifically designed for wildlife observation and coastal live -aboard cruising and charter. Perfect for comfortable slow -travel cruising around the Outer Hebrides, the Minch and West Coast of the Scottish Highlands.

• Home Port: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

• Type of Vessel: Former fishing boat

• Length: 20 metres

• Equipment: 2 x raised observation decks, 1 x motorised dinghy

• Crew: 3 - Skipper, Chef, Wildlife Guide

• Max. Passengers: Cruising = 8/9 , Day Trip = 12

• Passenger Cabins: 5 (1 x triple/twin, 2 x twin, 2 x single)

• Passenger Facilities: 2 x showers, 3 x toilets

MV Hjalmar Bjørge is an ideal platform that combines comfort and luxury with seaworthiness for up to 12 passengers.

This vessel is perfect for exploring the beautiful Inner and Outer Hebrides of Scotland, including St Kilda, the Isles of Skye and Mull and the West Coast of the Highlands, or even further afield such Orkney and Shetland.

• Home Port: Oban, Argyll & Bute

• Type of Vessel: Former Norwegian ice -class rescue vessel

• Length: 23 metres

• Equipment: Upper observation deck, motorised dinghy, crane

• Crew: 4 - Skipper, Steward, Chef + occasional guest Guide

• Max. Passengers: 12

• Passenger Cabins: 6 ( 6 x twin)

• Passenger Facilities: 2 x showers, 3 x toilets

We have 2 boats to offer for private boat charters

The Hjalmar Bjørge is based in Oban and the Monadhliath in Stornoway, both Outer Hebrides and West Coast of the Highlands and visiting remote as well guides who know where to seek out the key cetacean, bird and other marine and deck space to store equipment. Our owner David Lambie has decades of professional advise or comment on most locations. We also have

Charters for Friends and Family

Perfect for families, friends, clubs or other social groups, a private charter is a great way to bond while enjoying a shared cruise adventure around the beautiful Western Isles and Highlands of Scotland. Catering for groups up to 12 (Hjalmar Bjørge) or 8 -9 (Monadhliath), talk to us about what you would like to see and do and we will put together a tailored itinerary lasting from a few nights up to a week or more. As well as your experienced professional skipper and chef, we can also provide an expert wildlife guide to accompany you who will help you spot and identify cetaceans, birds and other species from the boat and on-shore excursions taken along the route.

For the ultimate Scottish Holiday experience, we can even arrange to meet up with our SKYEFARI minibus in certain locations for adventures further inland to visit remote areas or famous sites, and/or to seek out other iconic Scottish wildlife such as red deer, golden eagles, red squirrels, crested tits and pine martens.

Charters for Film, Music & Media

Our two Scottish west -coast vessels are available for boat charter hire to TV, film and other media production crews anywhere within the West Coast of the Highlands and Inner and Outer Hebrides, including Skye, Mull and St Kilda, to act as a base for filming or other media needs. Both have dinghies and the Hjalmar Bjørge has a crane. We can also provide assistance with consulting to assist with advising on locations and then scouting them as needed.

Charters for Corporate

Looking for a MICE venue with a retreat or incentive trip for a small Oban, Stornoway or perhaps Mallaig different location each day around Highlands. We can take you to remote small local ports and harbours where keep you well fed and our saloon lounges business or just relax with a favourite be remembered by you, your team

CHARTERS

charters for groups, tours, filming, research and more.

both with very experienced skippers familiar with sailing around the Inner and as the more well -known locations. We also have expert ecologists and wildlife and coastal species. Both boats have motorised ding hies for shore excursions and professional experience travelling around the Highlands and Islands and can usually have an extensive network of contacts to call upon.

Charters for Tour Operator Partnerships

We have been, and are, successfully working with several third party tour operators, chartering our two boats to be used for facilitating travel in and around the Scottish Highlands and Islands to fit in with your own itineraries, or offering a complete marine and coastal experience including shore excursions utilising our local knowledge and expertise.

We specialise in seeking out Scotland's iconic wildlife such as eagles, seabirds, cetaceans, seals, otters and lots more as well as cultural and historic locations. If you are looking for a partner who can be flexible, offer bespoke itineraries and can handle groups of up to 10 clients plus a trip leader/guide then please get in touch today. We are proud members of, and operate under, the Wildlife Safe Scheme (WiSE), current silver level Green Tourism award holders, and official charity partner of our local Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust

Corporate Retreats & Incentive Travel

a difference for an informal corporate small group? Choose a cruise with us from Mallaig or Ullapool, and you could be in a around the Hebrides or West Coast of the remote areas for the night, or head for where you can head ashore. Our chefs will lounges are comfortable places to discuss favourite drink. It will certainly be a trip to team or clients.

Charters for Scientific Research & Surveys

If you need a small stable vessel for coastal or marine surveys or research then we are equipped to help you, particularly as our owner David Lambie has been working in ecological surveying for the past few decades with a large list of contacts and before starting his own survey company, spent time with Forestry Scotland and the RSPB. Whether you need to carry out a seabird survey, are monitoring cetaceans, or perhaps require more remote drop-offs at otherwise inaccessible coastal locations over a number of days then we can help. Both of our boats have raised observation decks and are equipped with dinghies for reaching remote shorelines.

WILDLIFE

There is a wide variety of wildlife to see on your trip. We hope to have encounters with marine life, cetaceans, birds, and mammals, undisturbed in their natural habitats.

MARINE LIFE

Other than cetaceans (see overleaf), the marine animals we see most often are basking sharks, seals, otters and even ocean sunfish on occasion.

BIRDS

You may spot puffins, golden and white-tailed sea eagles, corncrakes, terns, razorbills, guillemots, great northern divers, red divers, black throated divers, Arctic and great skuas, peregrine falcons, hen harriers, osprey, merlin, great crested-grebes, Manx shearwaters, fulmars, tawny owls, oystercatchers, swans, geese, choughs and ravens to name a few.

Our aim is to offer rewarding experiences with a low-impact on the environment. We strive to balance the needs and wants of our customers with the realities of the places we visit, some of which are fragile and wild locations.

FLORA & FAUNA

Many guests join us, especially in spring, to see the wonderful profusion of flowers in woods, fields and on the machair. There are over 1000 identified wild flowers alone in the Hebrides. At the other end of the season, you can forage for fungi.

Hawk moths, peacock and tortoiseshell butterflies are amongst the many insects you might see or there is the exotic sounding “slender Scotch burnet moth” thought to only survive on the islands of Mull and Ulva.

CETACEANS

‘Cetaceans’ is the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoise. Minke whale are the most frequently seen whale throughout the Hebrides. Although usually seen in the distance, they will sometimes swim remarkably close beside the boat, rolling on their side to take in a better view.

Orca (killer whale) are seen infrequently but on a regular basis. One encounter saw three orca bow riding the boat for 4 hours. An unforgettable experience!

The shy Risso’s Dolphins around the Western Isles. White-beaked Dolphin Dolphin are more commonly offshore on our longer trips Hebrides and St Kilda.

Common dolphin are often seen in large groups (up to 1000 animals) and frequently bow ride vessels.

Dolphins are sometimes seen Isles. Striped Dolphin, and White-sided commonly seen further trips to the Outer

The Minke Whale, Blue Whale, Fin Whale and Sei Whale have been reasonably frequent visitors to the waters around the Hebrides.

This is an overview of all of our own and our charter change since publishing so please check the website Please visit: www.hebrideanadventures.co.uk or contact: info@hebrideanadventures.co.uk

Hjalmar

14/04 - 20/04: Spring Watch 22/04 - 28/04: Jura, Colonsay 01/05 - 10/05: St Kilda and Outer 12/05 - 21/05: Abandoned Isles 23/05 - 29/05: Focus 31/05 - 09/06: North 12/06 - 23/06: Atlantic 26/06 - 28/06: Caledonian 30/06 - 08/07: Northern Isles Focus on Orkney, Fair 10/07 - 19/07: Northern Isles Shetland, Fair 26/07 - 01/08: Focus 04/08 - 10/08: Private 14/08 - 23/08: Cetaceans, 25/08 - 03/09: Outer Isles Explorer 05/09 - 12/09: Potential 14/09 - 23/09: Inner 25/09 - 01/10: Isle of Skye Land and Sea 02/10 - 8/10: Autumn Watch 10/10 - 16/10: Caledonia Wildlife of the Great 18/10 - 24/10: Caledonia Wildlife of the Great

MV Monadhliath

01/05 - 05/05: Private 12/05 - 19/05: Naturetrek Charter - The 20/05 - 27/05: Naturetrek Charter - The 26/05 - 29/05: Shiant 10/06 - 16/06: The Big Hebridean 19/06 - 23/06: Wildlife Worldwide Charter 08/07 - 14/07: Naturetrek Charter - Seabirds 17/07 - 21/07: Scottish Whale 29/07 - 04/08: Heatherlea 07/08 - 11/08: HWDT Whale 14/08 - 19/08: Wildlife Worldwide Charter - Whales

CALENDAR

charter cruises. Please be aware these can be subject to website for the latest up to date details and availability. www.hebrideanadventures.co.uk info@hebrideanadventures.co.uk

Hjalmar Bjørge

Watch Inner Hebrides

Colonsay and Corryvreckan Outer Isles (inc. the Shiants) Isles of the West (inc. St Kilda)

Focus on St Kilda Rona and Sula Sgeir

Atlantic West Coast Voyager Caledonian Canal Short Break

Fair Isle and Shetland Northbound (from Inverness) Fair Isle and Orkney to Inverness Southbound Focus on St Kilda

Private Charter

Cetaceans, Sharks and Sunsets Explorer (not inc. St Kilda)

Potential Charter Inner Isles Explorer Sea (with SKYEFARI & Sonas Hotels) Wildlife (with SKYEFARI) Great Glen Northbound (with SKYEFARI) Great Glen Southbound (with SKYEFARI)

Monadhliath

Private Charter

The Scottish Hebrides by Land and Sea

The Scottish Hebrides by Land and Sea Shiant Isles Puffin Cruise

Hebridean Wildlife Adventure Cruise

Charter - Shiant’s Spectacular Puffins Cruise Seabirds and Cetaceans: The Hebrides in Summer

Whale and Dolphin Cruise

Charter - Minch Wildlife

Whale and Dolphin Cruise Whales and Dolphins of the Outer Hebrides