There’s only one way to really see the islands in the Inner Hebrides and that’s to get in a boat. Being on the Isle of Islay for a few days, seemed a perfect excuse to book a boat trip. When I booked Venture West and chatted to Sandy a boat trip around Jura fitted the bill. Picking up at Port Askaig on Islay, dropping in at the distillery of course, exploring remote shores and historic spots – being the home of George Orwell, where he wrote 1984. The Corryvreckan Whirlpool was also on the list, one of the largest permanent whirlpools in the world … in one of the most dangerous stretches of water around the British Isles! Gulp.
For me, I wanted to get close up to nature. With the hope of seeing dolphins, seals and birds of prey, a boat trip is one of the best ways to do this. Why? Being amongst nature inspires us to protect it.
But of course, the itinerary could change…
And over the course of the preceding days it did!
Read my audio introduction above
Firstly, our distillery visit was cancelled. Boat trip was planned for a Saturday and we were mid-September, almost out of season – they decided to close that day! Ok, well, we had two distillery visits planned already so that was fine. Let me explain, July and August are the main summer season for Scotland, due to the weather. Ironically their summer had been a wash out but come early September the sun came out and the weather was glorious during our stay on Islay.
Sandy (Venture West) and I were on plan C by this time and our two grown up sons that had joined us, and my husband, were giving me some ribbing – where exactly were we going? Instinctively I had absolute faith in Sandy. A local, very experienced skipper, based on Jura I knew wherever we went this was going to be spectacular. Especially with the sun shining!
‘Change of plan’ says Sandy as we greet him at the dock. ‘The weather is perfect for a trip to the Isle of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave, with a stop at a the beautiful Isle of Iona on the way back. You will get good views of many of the islands on the way too. You up for that?’ Not quite knowing the details, we said yes!
Staffa is renown for its basalt columns, formed millions of years ago and very similar to look at as the formation of Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway. It’s only 6 miles from Mull and believed once to have been part of it. But now it’s rugged, wild and intriguing with Fingal’s Cave and its naturally arched roof that echoes like a cathedral.
Sandy was able to take our small boat close into Fingal’s cave and the boys got off and walked around the island, stepping onto these ancient rocks, to get a better feel for this unique place. The video shows off the cave much more effectively, so make sure to watch it.
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Iona
We stopped at the small and incredibly pretty island of Iona for lunch in one of the pub hotels, with time to explore and do a little souvenir shopping in the artisan shops. So important to support these local communities. Have to say it was pretty busy with visitors that day, which was great for this local community.
The outlook, wherever you were on the island, was heavenly and I am always surprised at the sandy beaches. Wish I had packed my swimming costume as this would be been a great place to take a dip!
Dolphins
Back on the boat, Dolphins had been spotted, so we raced back towards Staffa to see if they were still there, and we weren’t disappointed.
At one point there seemed to be two pretty large pods, either side of the boat. We could have stayed for hours watching them jump and weave, seemingly having such a lot of fun.
See them on this short video of our trip
Watching dolphins in Scotland from a boat is a magical experience. The dolphins came close, riding the bow waves and leaping playfully alongside, giving you an incredible view of their acrobatics.
With the stunning Scottish coastline as a backdrop, watching these intelligent and playful creatures in their natural habitat is a moment of pure joy and connection with nature.
We had a spectacular day. We learnt so much about the wildlife, Scottish life on these islands and came away enriched by the experience and with an appreciation of this wild part of Scotland both from Sandy and his colleague on board who was a biologist. We didn’t get to see Jura… this time!
Generally I don’t ‘recommend’ in my blogs but I have to say, Venture-West were excellent and if you are in Scotland, plan in a boat trip and get right close to nature and the beauty of our British Isles.