Destination - Scotland and the Inner Hebrides with THE MAJESTIC LINE

THE MAJESTIC LINE offers intimate cruises in Scotland´s Inner Hebrides. And intimate these cruises are! GLEN MASSAN and GLEN TARSAN take only 10, max 11, passengers in 6 cabins, for single occupancy at no additional supplement! The 2006 and 2007 inaugurating, rebuilt former wodden fishing vessels offer exclusively the whole vessel to its passengers. During the winter 2016/17 both had been massively revamped. The new GLEN ETIVE with 12 passengers in 7 cabins inaugurated 2017. The three intimate vessels take you for 3 to 6 night cruises into the sheltered waters of the Inner Hebrides and to remote, idyllic places of the Scottish West Coast.
The small cruise vessels can be chartered too for a family and friends cruise, or a business meeting.

by Earl of Cruise

THE MAJESTIC LINS´s fleet, GLEN ETIVE, GLEN MASSAN and GLEN TARSAN - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

The Inner Hebrides of Scotland (also known as the Western Isles), offer some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery with barren landscape, fantastic coastline, white sandy beaches and important historic and archaeological sites dating back some thousand years before Christ.

Stalker Castle in Loch Linnhe - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

THE MAJESTIC LINE, Argyll Coast Cruises, is a private cruise line with its headquarters in the Sandbank Marina on the Cowal Peninsula in the West of Scotland. The company was founded in 2004 and is named after a fictional shipping company that featured in Neil Munro's Tales of Para Handy.

Oban by night - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

As of 2013, the line operates cruises from Oban to the Islands of the Clyde (Firth of Clyde) and the Inner Hebrides.While GLEN MASSAN and GLEN TARSAN had been built in Ireland, the GLEN ETIVE, inaugurated in 2016 was built on Isle of Bute, Scotland.

The Inner Hebrides - Source: Wikipedia

All three vessels take its passengers away to cruise in comfort and relaxed style to the islands of the Inner Hebrides, its people, its nature, its wildlife and culture. And the tours to the world-famous whiskey distilleries are here especially personal, no wonder, if the group has a number of 12.

The islands had been the last retreats of the celticized British and are calming the wild North Atlantic prior to hitting the Scottish mainland. But within the isles the sea, even if the Atlantic, is calm. the best time to go onboard a cruise in April and May for the awakening nature in the rays of the spring´s sun.

The Inner Hebrides (/ˈhɛbrɪdiːz/; Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan a-staigh, "the inner isles") is an archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. Together these two island chains form the Hebrides, which experience a mild oceanic climate. The Inner Hebrides comprise 35 inhabited islands as well as 44 uninhabited islands with an area greater than 30 hectares (74 acres). The main commercial activities are tourism, crofting, fishing and whisky distilling. In modern times the Inner Hebrides have formed part of two separate local government jurisdictions, one to the north and the other to the south. Together, the islands have an area of about 4,130 km² (1,594 sq mi), and had a population of 18,948 in 2011. The population density is therefore about 4.6 per km² (12 per square mile).
There are various important prehistoric structures, many of which pre-date the first written references to the islands by Roman and Greek authors. In the historic period the earliest known settlers were Picts to the north and Gaels in the southern kingdom of Dál Riada prior to the islands becoming part of the Suðreyjar kingdom of the Norse, who ruled for over 400 years until sovereignty was transferred to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth in 1266. Control of the islands was then held by various clan chiefs, principally the MacLeans, MacLeods and MacDonalds. The Highland Clearances of the 19th century had a devastating effect on many communities and it is only in recent years that population levels have ceased to decline.
Sea transport is crucial and a variety of ferry services operate to mainland Scotland and between the islands. The Gaelic language remains strong in some areas; the landscapes have inspired a variety of artists; and there is a diversity of wildlife.

Source: Wikipedia

THE MAJESTIC LINE vessels accomodations have all ensuite cabins. All cabins are similar in size and style. The size of the cabins is spacious for a boat of the size of GLEN´s, but compact compared to a modern day hotel bedroom. The cabins were designed with enough space to allow for a very good nights sleep but on the assumption that guests would be spending time in the indoor deck saloon or on the outdoor decks, rather than in their cabins.

Cabin on board the GLEN ETIVE - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

The deck saloon is where the guests of THE MAJESTIC LINE gather and relax, it is always warm and comfortable with crew on hand, discreetly attentive. The windows allow fabulous panoramic views of the Highland coastline as the vessel gently cruises through the landscape.

All meals are served at the communal table in the deck saloon, although canapes and drinks are often served on the outdoor deck, which is accessible through French doors, to catch the last of the evening light. Early risers are welcomed by a hot drink and any other sustenance required until breakfast is served. The library stocks books on local maps, history, wildlife and attractions and a range of board and other games. There is a plasma screen in the deck saloon where scenes of local history and wildlife can be viewed or a film, if everyone is in agreement.

Communal table in the dining area of the GLEN´s - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

The bar in the deck saloon is very well stocked, including an impressive choice of malt whiskies - remember some of the world famous whiskies come from the Inner Hebrides (and soft drinks if preferred!) and is available at all times.

The Talisker destillerie - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

Guests have the opportunity to go ashore to explore a local community, site of historic interest or to head off for a walk twice a day. The boat always anchors for dinner, choosing a sheltered and scenic spot to spend the night, often with the chance of a stunning sunset. The vessels drop anchor offshore which provides tranquility and seclusion. Guests can go ashore after dinner for a stroll or perhaps try some fishing. Waking up at anchor to the stillness and serenity is breathtaking with the option to go ashore before breakfast. The crew assist guests onshore but walks are self-guided. The crew provides information on the highlights of each stopover for guests to explore.

Tendering in Duart Bay - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

Transport to and from your vessel and the shore is by boat tender, therefore guests require a certain level of agility and to be comfortable with this method of transport. The tenders are the PIONEER Multi - very versatile spacious boats with a unique bow door system, like a landing craft, which makes going ashore on beaches very simple. If you like the contemplative art of fishing the tender is also available for fishing, also for laying creels by your own and for short exploratory trips along the coastlines when the boat is at anchor.

The small cruise vessels of THE MAJESTIC LINE offer you a front seat to the magnifacent sea and land wildlife - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

A favourite is to be dropped off by tender on one part of the coast for a one-way walk and getting picked up again by your cruise vessel at the end of the walk - active cruising. The boat tender is very safe and the trip ashore is lasting only a few minutes. Stepping from the boat into the tender is by three steps on a fixed stair and a helping hand from a crew member is always on hand with clear safety procedures!

Cruising on board THE MAJESTIC LINES vessels is like cruising with your own yacht.

Eilean, Donan Castle - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

Contact THE MAJESTIC LINE for bookings:

Holy Loch Marina

Sandbank

Dunoon

Argyll

PA23 8FE

Telephone - +44 (0)1369 707 951

e-mail - info@themajesticline.co.uk

Sunset in the Inner Hebrides - courtesy THE MAJESTIC LINE

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