Enjoy a sailing holiday experience exploring the west coast of Scotland, the islands of the Hebrides, and further afield to St Kilda, Orkneys and Shetland, which without a doubt are the more challenging and exciting destinations.  The west coast boasts some of the best cruising grounds and certainly the most spectacular in the UK, and what better way to discover it's remote delights and rich abundant wildlife than by sea.

The level of sailing is for you to choose, from serious hands on sailing, to combining sailing with walking or for the more experienced scaling the challenging peaks on Skye or Rum, or simply relaxing in the cockpit and enjoying the scenery and varied sea and bird life - puffins, eagles, whales, dolphins, basking sharks to name but a few.  Enjoy the sailing, the scenery, the wildlife, magnificent sunsets, brilliant moonlit or starlit nights while anchored in some remote bay, ambles on white sandy empty beaches or the thrill of scaling some of the best climbs in Britain, impromptu ceilidhs and music in remote pubs and inns, a warm and friendly welcome by the locals, a richness of history in every corner, archaeology, geology.  And what better way to end the day by dining on freshly caught fish and home cooked meals prepared from local produce.

For lovers of Scotland's fine selection of Classic Malt Whisky there are plenty of Distilleries to visit along the way. Every cruise is different and given the constraints of wind and tide we tailor make your holiday to combine with your wishes. Esseness, a Dufour 455 grand'Large, is maintained to the highest of standards, and is a spacious and comfortable ocean sailing cruiser.  With two double aft cabins, one en suite, we want to share our passion for sailing and the great outdoors with ideally four guests, though a fifth can be accommodated in the saloon.  As your hosts we enjoy the experience with you, and we are happy to sit back and allow you to plan and sail a cruise, or join in the thrill of an exhilarating sail out to St Kilda, or help you plan an itinerary based round your favoured shore based activity.

Sue and Stuart, her owners and skippers, hold commercially endorsed RYA yachtmaster offshore certificates and have many sea miles logged round the coast of Britain, in the Mediterranean, down the coast of Europe, in the Canaries, across the Atlantic and a few in the Caribbean.  Safety at all times is paramount.  Stuart is a professional outdoor pursuits instructor and can guide clients in hill/mountain walking, mountain and gorge scrambling, rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking and canoeing. Climbing harnesses, helmets and ropes are provided, though the more skilled may wish to bring their own.  We also have an inflatable two-man canoe, which is ideal for exploring secluded bays while the evening meal is being prepared.

Esseness is MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) coded to Category 2, she carries all the latest safety equipment on board and a comprehensive safety brief will be given before the start of every charter.