Sail & Bike Scotland – Incl. Jura Island (8 Days/7 Nights, approx. 235 km )

Oban is the start and end point of your tour through the Inner Hebrides and the Highlands. With the Flying Dutchman, we visit the island of Mull and the Morvern Peninsula, home to the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland and largely untouched by mass tourism. The isle of Jura, which is known for its rich stock of red deer and its world-famous whiskey distillery, is new to our program. Enjoy the wild scenery of Scotland, its colour contrasts and great biodiversity.

Treat yourself in the evening to a glass of whiskey in one of the pubs and listen to the ever-present Scottish music. On your crossings with the Flying Dutchman, we keep watch for dolphins and seals, and let the grandiose landscape pass on by. On our cycle tours, we’ll be looking out for eagles, red deer and otters with incredible views down over the sea from the most beautiful lookout points. 

Attention: This web page has been updated for the season 2019. Changes in the itinerary as well as the accomplishments may vary in comparison to the season 2018.

1st Day (Sat) Oban (Embarkation)

Individual flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow followed by either train or bus to Oban. You are welcome to reserve a space on our collective transfer service leaving at 5.30 pm from Edinburgh centre and at 6 pm from the Edinburgh airport (see prices below). Your cabins on the Flying Dutchman are ready for check in at 5 pm. Should you arrive earlier, your luggage can be stored on board until check-in time. A late evening dinner will give you time to get to know your crew and tour guides.

diner

2nd Day (Sun) Oban - Toberonochy (aprx. 22 mi. /36 km) 

After breakfast we adjust our bicycles and start our first cycle tour. This leads us southwards from Oban through hilly landscapes and along the shores of a small highland lake back to the sea. Here we cross an remote peninsula before embarking on the ferry which takes us to the island of Luing. The island is made up of slate and the mining of the gray glistening rocks played an important economic role in the past. The University of Edinburgh for instance, is largely constructed out of the slate off of this small island. At the Toberonochy dock, the Flying Dutchman awaits us for our cross over to a secluded bay where we will spend the night.

breakfast, diner

3rd Day (Mon) Crinan – Loch Caolisport (aprx. 21 mi. /35 km) 

After a short crossing to Crinan, we start the day on two wheels. First we cycle along the Crinan Canal, leading from Crinan to Lochgilphead, it spared smaller ships the long sail around the Kintyre peninsula. Afterwards we head south over the peninsula, most commonly known from the Paul McCartney song. After a scenic cycling tour, we finally reach the deeply-cut, Loch Caolisport and cross over to the Island of Jura.

breakfast, lunch

4th Day (Tue) Isle of Jura (aprx. 17 mi. /27 km) 

After breakfast we cycle northwards on the isle of Jura. The renowned author, George Orwell, spent the last three years of his life here and described it as the most unattainable place on earth. Enjoy the tranquility of the island, which is only occasionally disturbed by one of the about 5,000 deer that live there. Passing the so-called Paps of Jura we arrive at a small dock where the Flying Dutchman takes us to the island of Mull. On the way we pass the swirling waters of Corryvreckan, one of the largest natural whirlpools in the world – but do not fear, our experienced crew will guide us safely to a quiet bay on the island of Mull for the night.

breakfast, lunch, diner

5th Day (Wed) Mull Island: Duart Castle – Salen – Tobermory (aprx. 37 mi./60 km) 

Today’s cycle tour is dedicated entirely to the spectacular natural beauty of Scotland. The route takes us through hilly terrain and along the Island’s coastline. Behind every bend in the road another breathtaking view awaits. After the road divides, and the few cars that we have encountered along the way so far have turned off towards Iona, we share the road virtually only with sheep and shaggy highland cattle grazing peacefully in the bright green meadows. Along an ever-changing coastal road, we cycle past Loch Na’ Keal to Salen where the ship is waiting for us. On a short crossover our ship brings us to Tobermoy bay. In this pretty, little place, with its colorful facades, an evening visit to an original Scottish pub is high on the agenda. This includes trying national dishes such as fish’n’chips or haggis.

breakfast

6th Day (Thu) Mull Island: Tobermory – Salen (aprx. 31 mi./50 km)

breakfast, diner

Today we will encounter an elevation gain on our ride through the northern part of the Island of Mull. As a reward a cozy tearoom offers us a welcomed reprieve before we head for the brilliant white beach of Calgary Bay and its crystal clear water. It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland and swimming enthusiasts should not pass up this opportunity to jump in for a refreshing swim. Ship ward bound we cycle through a lush valley until we meet the shoreline, shortly before Salen, offering breathtaking views as well as some interesting ships wrecks. Our ship awaits us again in Salen for a little crossing to Lochaline on the Morvern peninsula, where we throw the anchor for the night. Dinner on board.

7th Day (Fri) Peninsula Morvern: Lochaline – Kingairloch (aprx. 16 mi./26 km) 

breakfast, diner

After a small crossing through the Sound of Mull to Lochaline a scenic cycling tour awaits us. After the first ascent, we reach an almost traffic-free road leading through the barren highlands.  We follow hillsides, wild mountain streams and moorlands before we reach the Flying Dutchman, to ferry us back to Oban. Before dinner we have the opportunity to take a stroll through Oban. The Mc Caig’s Tower, an incomplete replica of the Coliseum in Rome, is a worthwhile visit.

8th Day (Sat) Oban (Disembarkation) and return home 

After breakfast, individual return trip home from Oban or group transfer to the Edinburgh airport.

breakfast

Base tour price per person (in a double cabin below deck)

1,340 euro (tall ship Flying Dutchman)

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Included services

• 8-day cruise on a tallship with crew
• 7 nights in a double cabin below deck with shower/toilet
• 7 x half board
  
• Guided cycling tours as described in itinerary
• Overview-maps for the daily tours on board
• Bed linen and towels
  
• English speaking tour guide

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Additional optional services (on request)

• Single cabin, surcharge: 300 euro (limited, on request)
  
• ½ a double cabin can be booked
  
• Rental bike: hybrid bicycle with pannier: 80 euro/week or E-Bike with pannier: 160 euro/week (limited number, on request)
  
• Insurance against theft and damage of the rental hybrid bicycle: 10 euro/week or of the E-Bike: 20 euro/week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)
  
• Collective transfer (day of embarkation only) Edinburgh centre (5.30 pm) /Edinburgh Airport (6.00 pm) – Ship in Oban: 30 euro/person
  
• Collective transfer (day of disembarkation only) Oban – Edinburgh Airport (07.00 am to reach flights starting from 12.00 pm/noon on): 30 euro/person (booking incl. the complete transmission of flight details)
  
• Other customized transfers are on request
  

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Not included in the base tour price

• Journey to Scotland
  
• Drinks on board – flat rate for beverages (incl. drinking water for bicycle tours): 50 GBP
  
• Meals ashore
  
• Please bring a beach towel, if needed
  
• Entrance fees to museums and sights
  
• Tips for crew and tour guides
  

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Price reductions

• Children up to age 16 receive a discount of 25 % on the basic tour price (not combinable with any other discount).
  
• The third and forth person in the quadruple cabin receive a reduction of 50 % on the basic tour price (not combinable with any other discount).
  
• Early-Bird discount: receive a 5% discount on the tour base price if your booking reaches us before the 31.01.2019 (combinable with the SEA-YOU-AGAIN discount).
  
• SEA-YOU-AGAIN discount: all guests booking the third or more tour directly over Islandhopping will receive a 5% discount on the tour base price (combinable with the Early-Bird discount).
  

Sailing vessel The Flying Dutchman

The Flying Dutchman is built in 1903. In 2004 Klaas bought this ship and reconstructed it in order to serve as a passengers’ ship that is able to sail the international waters. The ship has a worldwide license according to international safety rules and the ship has been outfitted with the latest navigation and communication systems.

The interior is warm and cosy. The mahogany wood adds to the maritime atmosphere. Refreshments can be found at the bar which is provided with a beer tab. Each cabin has its own bathroom with toilet and shower. Outside you will find plenty of spots to sit, relax and enjoy the passing scenery.