What's New from MV Chalice in 2008?

(To read trip reports from 2006 click here )

(To read trip reports from 2007 click here )

(Sorry - we've been really busy and we're a bit behind with the trip reports! We'll fill in the gaps and add the photo's as soon as we get a chance!)

 Trip 1 - Photography charter to the Outer Isles


We were pleased to welcome back  Len and pals who wanted to visit the Outer Hebrides this year, having enjoyed cruising around the Inner Hebrides with us on Chalice in 2007.

A windy first night gave way to a brighter day with the strong southeasterly wind forecast to die down quickly in the afternoon so we opted for a lazy start to the day, spending a couple of hours in Tobermory setting off for Vatersay, which seemed like as good a place as any to start the trip. The following morning we awoke to fog, which didn't deter the photographers one bit ('diffused light' and all that….) and they all went ashore to explore until lunchtime.

Following lunch we set off for Mingulay and Barra Head (Berneray) - although a landing at Mingulay was unlikely due to the easterly breeze and sea swell, it didn't mean we couldn't enjoy it from the sea. As we passed through the Sound of Mingulay into the Atlanic swell, we spotted a minke whale almost immediately. This was followed over the next twenty minutes by sightings of at least two others feeding in the strong currents that pass around the southern tip of the Outer Hebrides.

We'd been right in presuming that a landing wasn't going to be possible, but were surprised to see a large number of seals lining the beach enjoying the surf. There was a lot of seabird activity too and combined with the stunning scenery the day was a definite success.

That night was spent in a quiet anchorage in the Sound of Barra, where the digital projector was put to good use as Len gave a presentation to the others and they all compared their day's work. The following morning we headed north to the Sound of Harris, being escorted out of our anchorage by bowriding bottlenose dolphins - what a way to start the day!

We stayed at Taransay, before visiting Scarp and the remote Loch Tamanavay on the far west of Lewis, which provided several pair of great northern divers. An early start the following morning saw us at the Shiant Islands in the north Minch by lunchtime. There was plenty of bird activity on the boulder screes on Eilean Tighe and guests landed to explore. We then headed off to enjoy a splendid sunset at Neist Point, where we spent the night.

Three minke whales were spotted the following morning en route to Canna - a firm favourite with Len and pals, before we finally made our way back to Oban via the Sound of Mull.

Trip 2

Jura, The Garvellachs and the Corryvreckan

This was to be a 'first' for us - advertising a short trip focussing on the most southern of the Hebridean islands. Seven of the spaces were soon snapped up by Chalice 'regulars' who jumped at the chance of a new adventure.  Once again the weather came up trumps and we enjoyed five days of unbroken sunshine while we explored some quiet anchorages around Jura, Islay and Colonsay.

Walking Jura was fantastic as the normally impenetrable bracken was yet to thrive. Several weeks of dry weather meant that the ground was firm to walk on and we spent most of the first day walking around the north of the island and watching the surging waters of in the Gulf of Corryvreckan. Wild goats and red deer were visible on the hillsides and were entertained by a bold cuckoo who eyed us all cautiously from a safe distance.

Day three saw us visiting a little-documented and almost unheard of island off Islay. As the anchor buried itself into the sand and the chain rattled its last down the hawse pipe the only sound we could hear was……corncrake! For most guests simply hearing a corncrake was exciting enough, so imagine our surprise when we landed and saw one bird sitting on a small patch of open ground in a large nettle patch. One patient (not to mention lucky) guest saw two birds having a 'tiff' and there were definitely three calling in an area no larger than a tennis court.

We had planned to move on that afternoon, but this was a real unspoiled corner of the Hebrides which we had to ourselves and a unanimous vote to stay for the rest of the day. The corncrake continued to be elusive, but this little island turned out to be home to a healthy variety of wildlife including nesting eider, geese and a buzzard.

We eventually moved away to Oronsay for an overnight stay before visiting the Garvellachs and a final night (and afternoon walk) on Mull.