Isle of Mull and Small Isles Explorer - Art Tutor Onboard

Isle of Mull and Small Isles Explorer - Art Tutor Onboard

6 nights

Enjoy an extraordinary voyage of seven nights exploring the Sound of Mull and the Small Isles.  The Isle of Mull, inhabited since 6000 BC, is the quintessential island of the Inner Hebrides and rich in Scottish history. The outlying Small isles, Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna, are justly famous for their sheltered anchorages, spectacular birdlife and ever-changing, island scenery. History, wildlife, spectacular islands and breathtaking mountains, this is a truly unforgettable Scottish cruise. Don't forget your hiking boots for stunning island walks!

In addition, we have onboard, for your enjoyment, a very experienced art tutor Anthea Gage, RSW. Anthea has more than 30 years’ experience teaching artists of all ages and of all abilities. 

During the cruise you will be discovering, through the use of several sketch books, how to record and capture the ever changing and beautiful Scottish seascapes around the boat, as well as ashore when appropriate. We will explore a wide variety of materials and techniques, from drawing with traditional media like pencils and oil pastels, to liquid watercolour painting, mixed media work and collage. The focus will be on developing individual skills and enjoying learning about new approaches to drawing and painting, using the sketch books to later produce a more finished and detailed work indoors.  There are several sheltered spots on deck to work outside as well as space in the main cabin area, and everyone is welcome to take part wether you are a beginner or a more experienced artist.

You don't have to take advantage of Anthea's tutoring but, if you wish, we will supply all the art materials free of charge. Please note that you have to let us know if you would like to take part in Anthea's sessions when you book your cruise, so that we can organise the art materials in advance.

Please note that your voyage is weather dependent. Weather doesn't just mean good or bad weather. There are many considerations such as tidal gates, wind direction and strength, the strength and direction of currents, overfalls, and fetch. Depending upon the weather and nature’s conditions, wildlife viewing varies.  

If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as sea eagle tours or whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request. Excursions and visits ashore are at your own cost.

Some of the places we may visit are:

Oban: Your departure point will be Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina), the gateway to the Hebridean isles. After a short introduction to life on board our small ship we depart for our first destination.  

Loch Aline: In the picturesque Loch Aline there are woodland walks and, at the head of the loch, is ancient Ardtornish estate and woodland gardens. 

Loch Drumbuie: A squeeze between high sided cliffs and we are in a perfectly sheltered anchorage. A lovely location for going sea kayaking or for a swim.

Canna, the Small Isles: Canna is possibly the most beautiful of all the Small islands.  Its 200 metre high cliffs of Compass Hill rise dramatically out of the sea and we have a good chance of seeing both sea and golden eagles. The anchorage on Canna is one of the best of the Small Isles and a stroll ashore to see the puffins and wild flower meadows of Sanday's Machair is a pure delight.

Muck,  the Small Isles: The small island of Muck (Muck is Gaelic for 'Pig') is only a couple of miles long and a mile wide. Ashore there are wonderful coastal walks and many seabirds. On Horse Island, which is accessible at low water, there is a colony of puffins.

Eigg, the Small Isles: The "Sgurr of Eigg", an ancient, eroded volcanic plug that creates a dramatic cliff on the east side of the island and a high ridge which runs west. There are beautiful white-sand bays and a quartz beach that creates the famous "singing sands".  

Rum, Loch Scresort, the Small Isles: Rum Island is a National Nature Reserve and famous for its herds of red deer and sheer sea cliffs which are home to nesting sea eagles. 

Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebridean Isles with its famous whisky distillery and colourful waterfront. You can wander along the streets, visit the delightful local museum, perhaps watch a pipe band, admire the wooden fishing boats and take in the long history of this lovely village.

Loch Spelve: A loch on the south side of Mull. To enter we have to negotiate the narrow entrance. The anchorage in this sheltered loch, which is surrounded by an ancient oak forest, gives us unparalleled views of the mountains of Mull. There are resident otters along its shoreline. We can also pick up some locally grown mussels before we leave to our next destination.