Welcome to Sail Britain’s 2019 Programme! We will be focusing this year on the Western Isles of Scotland, one of the UK’s most dramatic and varied sailing grounds. From the stunning wooded shores of the inner sea lochs and the wild mountains of Skye and the Small Isles, to the remote and windswept Outer Hebrides, the area offers natural beauty and adventure in abundance.
More details on individual trips will be added shortly. Do you have a project or a special interest you could bring onboard? We are inviting creative, scientific and community projects to form part of the programme. Drop us a line if so!
Our programme under sail works towards creative and cultural exchange, education and environmental research in a context which values diversity and new ideas.
A berth onboard costs £695 per week. We encourage you to think creatively about covering this, have a look here for ideas on funding your trip.
The Clyde and the Kyles of Bute
27th Apr – 4th May
Our first week will be a gentle cruise around the beautiful islands of the Clyde – Arran, the Cumbrae Islands and the stunning Kyles of Bute, with a strong focus on sailing skills and learning the ropes!
Ardrossan – Oban
4 – 10th May
Leaving the Clyde we will head North into the wilds of Argyll, either through the beautiful Crinan Canal or if we fancy an adventure, round the Mull of Kintyre
Islay and Jura from Oban
10 – 18th May
Exploring Ocean Plastic Pollution
This week will be led by plastics researcher and Surfers Against Sewage Scotland rep Rebecca Steele to explore plastic in the oceans and in our lives. Want to know more about the issue and see firsthand? This trip is for you.
Mull, Staffa and the Wild Islands from Oban
18 – 25th May
Exploring Ocean Plastic Pollution
Continuing our environmental engagement, we’ll be looking for the tiniest plastic fragments – microplastics – and leaning about their effects on ecosystems
Castles and Secret Lochs, Crinan to Mallaig
8 – 15th June
World Oceans Day
We’ll be celebrating and exploring our relationship with the ocean on this voyage, which offers a huge amount of stunning oceanic wilderness and some hidden secrets in mysterious lochs inhabited only by seals.
The Sound of Raasay, Rona and the Sea Lochs
15 – 22nd June
This week will be led by artist and conservationist Jazz Austin. We will have time to be creative onboard and learn about conservation topics while sailing deep into these mountainous and secluded places, and exploring some uninhabited islands too
Over the Sea to Skye
22 – 29th June
The Isle of Skye is home to some of Scotland’s wildest places, some only accessible by boat. Join the crew to explore this beautiful island!
Westward – Mallaig to Barra
20 – 27th July
Leaving Mallaig in our wake, we shall set our sails towards the western horizon and the wild islands of the southern Outer Hebrides and some adventurous sailing.
On the Edge of the Atlantic – Southern Outer Hebrides
27th July – 3rd Aug
To all but their inhabitants, the Outer Hebrides feel like the edge of the world. This voyage will explore the incredible wilderness and island culture in this very special place
Outer Hebridean Islands – Lochmaddy to Stornoway
3 – 10th Aug
The character of the islands changes as we head north, from the islet-strewn Sound of Harris to the remote sea lochs further up. This is a land of Eagles and the infamous Blue Men of the Minch
The North West Coast – Stornoway to Ullapool
10 – 17th Aug
The far north west of Scotland is home to some of the world’s oldest rocks and some extraordinary geological features. We’ll be exploring this coastline and delving into the secret world of rocks. At a safe distance, of course!
The Great Sea Lochs, Ullapool to Mallaig
17 – 24th Aug
Sailing south from Ullapool, we’ll visit the Summer Isles, dramatic Loch Torridon and on through the tidal narrows at Kyle towards the fishing town of Mallaig
Mallaig – Oban
7 – 14th Sept
Our voyage south towards Oban takes us via some incredible wilderness such as the Treshnish Isles inhabited only by puffins, and the magical isle of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave
Oban and the Firth of Lorne
14 – 21st Sept
The area around Oban offers so much to explore, from a circumnavigation of Mull to the whisky isles of Islay and Jura, and a glimpse of the infamous Corryvreckan whirlpool!
Oban – Ardrossan
21 – 28th Sept
Exploring Ocean Plastic Pollution
This trip will coincide with the Autumn’s biggest ocean cleanup event, the Great British Beach Clean. We shall be learning about the ocean plastics crisis and getting stuck in to share our stories from the sea with local communities.
Please remember that Sail Britain trips encompass multidisciplinary creative, cultural and scientific research, and are not tours or holidays. Travel to and from locations is not included.