Sail Britain

Poole – Falmouth, 21st – 28th Apr, £575

Brandy and Lace

Britain’s South West has some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastline of all, and is steeped in maritime history. This leg of the programme will explore some the many beautiful rivers, harbours and coves, and sail round some legendary rocky headlands which have claimed countless shipwrecks. Expect smugglers, lighthouses and tales of heroism from the sea!

Falmouth – Bristol, 28th Apr – 12th May – 2 week trip, £1200

To the Land’s End – Adventurous sailing

As we sail west from Falmouth, we’ll explore the unique maritime rivers of Cornwall’s south coast before leaving the land behind and heading offshore to the Isles of Scilly. These islands, inhabited since the Stone Age, form the Southern and Westernmost part of the UK and have a fascinating history. From there we’ll head East along the rugged coastline of Cornwall and North Devon and into the Bristol Channel to pass up the Avon under Brunel’s famous suspension bridge and into the heart of Bristol itself, gateway to the West!

Bristol – Holyhead, 19 – 26th May, £600

Wonderful Wales – Adventurous sailing

As we turn North along the coast of Wales, we’ll explore the huge importance of the ports along the North side of the Bristol Channel with their industrial heritage from ancient times to the present day. But we’ll also be able to visit some very special places which couldn’t be more different. Along the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline lie some havens for wildlife and monastic life. The trip will offer the chance to experience some offshore passage making as we skirt the shallows of Cardigan bay heading for the mountains of Snowdonia and the low-lying Isle of Anglesey beyond.

Holyhead – Belfast, 26th May – 2nd June, £625

Gateway to the Atlantic

Perhaps forgotten about today, this area of the Northern Irish Sea was the gateway to the Atlantic for the great maritime cities of Liverpool and Belfast. Right in the middle is the Isle of Man, a special place with a history of political, geographical and cultural independence. This is the only trip to visit the coast of Northern Ireland, where we will explore Strangford Lough before heading for the city of Belfast.

Belfast – Glasgow via Arran, 2nd – 9th June, £625

A Sail of two Cities

From Belfast we will explore the rugged coastline of Northern Ireland before sailing East to the Mull of Kintyre, the Isle of Arran, and the mighty Clyde. More ships were built on the Clyde than anywhere else in the world – 30,000 in the 19^th and 20^th Centuries – and the industry employed up to 10,000 people. Things have moved on but this is a fascinating area rich in maritime history. We will be exploring how this is developing in Glasgow’s changing times.

Glasgow – Oban via Crinan, 9 – 16th June, £625

Whisky and Stone

Leaving the Clyde, we will head North into Loch Fyne to visit the beautiful fishing town of Tarbert before entering the Crinan Canal. This engineering marvel connects Ardrishaig with the Sound of Jura and reduced the time and risk of sailing around the Mull of Kintyre. We will learn about its story before we sail on towards the Isles of Isla and Jura and North to Oban – whisky country!

Oban – Kyle of Lochalsh via Skye, 7 – 28th July – 2 week trip, £1200

Over the Sea to Skye

Leaving Oban, we will sail through the Sound of Mull towards Tobermory, round the famous Ardnamuchan point, and head for the Isles! This must be some of the most spectacular sailing grounds in the whole of the British Isles. We will spend the days sailing amongst spectacular scenery and the nights hidden away in remote, secret anchorages abundant with wildlife. We will also be stopping in small communities to learn about the special identity of the islands and some of the projects at the cutting edge of tackling issues such as Climate Change.