An exploration of the Scottish isles and their geology
31st July – 6th August, Mallaig – Mallaig, from £995
The islands and coastlines of the Inner Hebrides are some of the most dramatic in the British Isles, and they owe much of their beauty to their underlying geology. Whether it’s the low nobbled hills of Lewisian Gneiss – the oldest rocks in Europe, or the jagged ridgelines of the Cuillins – evidence of volcanoes, the West Coast has a story to tell about how planetwide forces have shaped this wild landscape.
This week will build upon one of our earliest expeditions in 2018, Sailing through Time, which looked at the extraordinary rock formations of Assynt and the NW Highlands. For this second week, we turn further south, to explore Skye, the Small Isles, and the adjacent coasts of the mainland. We will bring these landscapes to life as we set our sails for the isles.
Geologist and artist Phoebe Sleath will lead the week. Phoebe is finishing her PhD at the University of Aberdeen, in the interpretation of geology in the field through art as science. She uses watercolour painting to look deeper at the rocks and landscape. On her first trip with Sail Britain in 2024, Phoebe made a short film – the Lost Art of the Land – which is available to view here.
You can expect a different perspective of the rocks – both as we look back at the land and coastlines from the water, and also when we look at the land up close on hikes ashore, weather permitting. And of course learning to sail and harness the wind as we cross between islands is all part of the experience.
Days will be full of sailing, scrambling on the shore, rifling through geological maps and looking at minerals under a hand lens. As well as new friends, plenty of laughter and hearty home cooked food in the galley. This is how the first geologists explored this area in the 1800s, and we will travel in their footsteps!
The week is open to all – geologists, artists and amateurs alike. Just come with an open mind and a sense of adventure.
Join us this summer for a journey back in time!
Cost contribution
This trip has two cost options, according to your circumstances.
Base tier, £995 – if you have a regular income or are able to source external funding for the trip.
Supporter tier, £1195 – if you are in a fortunate position, this allows us to invest in Sail Britain’s future and build resilience. For example, just this year, the need for a new engine was a major unexpected cost to the project and you can help support this. This also helps to keep the base tier accessible for those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate.
Practical information
- Start point – Mallaig (The crew will send details with exactly where to find Merlin on the day of arrival)
- Start time – Saturday 31st July, 3pm
- End point – Mallaig
- End time – Friday 6th Aug, 12 noon
What’s included:
- Fully equipped yacht and professional crew
- 6 nights accommodation onboard
- All meals for the week
- All safety equipment and training
What’s not included
- Your travel to and from the start/end points of the voyage
- Travel insurance
- Any expenses ashore, although these tend to be very limited out in the wilds!
For more info have a look at our FAQs page for an insight into life onboard