This one-off cruise takes in the unique Cowal Highland Games in Dunoon, also known as the Cowal Gathering, which is the largest and best Highland Games in the world! Your vessel, The Glen Tarsan will berth in Holy Loch for the first two nights to allow you to sample the best of the Cowal Games; a ceilidh on the Friday night, a day watching all the competitions and fun on the Saturday, the March Past in the park and the Fireworks display finale. Then on the Sunday you are off to explore the amazing Sea Lochs and Islands of South Argyll.

You will be cruising Scotland on board the Glen Tarsan. The spacious accommodation allows for cruising in comfort and style for up to 11 guests in 6 double cabins. The vessel is 85ft in length and is full of the traditional character of their original construction, perfect for a cruise around Scotland's West Coast. You will be charmed by the boat and this relaxing way to enjoy Scotland.

The design of the vessel is to encourage informality and relaxation; the deck saloon is where guests gather and everyone dines together at one large table. From the deck saloon there is access to the sheltered aft deck, the two deck cabins and the stairs which lead up to the wheelhouse and the upper decks. Stairs lead down to the four below deck cabins. The Glen Tarsan is a truly unique way to cruise the West Coast of Scotland in style.

The size of our vessels allows inshore access to delightful and remote areas not available to bigger cruise vessels. There is no better way to cruise Scotland from a unique vantage point. Each day there are new stops on offer and every night the boat anchors off a different stunning location for dinner.

Be quick - with only 11 places, this newly released cruise will fill quickly.

Countries visited

• Scotland & Scottish Isles

Places visited

• Glasgow

Transportation

On board the Glen Tarsan

Included In Price

Services of the crew, All meals on board, Afternoon tea, snacks, soft drink and wine at dinner included.

Meals Included

This tour includes 17 meals; 6 breakfasts 5 lunches 6 dinners

Not Included In Price

Flight tickets, Entry to attractions not included, transfers to Glasgow not included on this voyage due to the nature of the festival.

Day 1: Arrive Dunoon

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Arrive in Holy Loch at 3pm on the Friday for a champagne reception and enjoy your first dinner on board.

Accommodation

On board 'Glen Tarsan'

All the cabins are double and can be configured as either twin or double beds with ensuite facilities. There are two cabins on deck and four below deck which provide everything you need for a small boat cruise; all cabins are similar in size and style. The size of the cabins is spacious for a boat cruise but compact compared to a hotel bedroom and there is, by necessity, limited storage space.

Your cosy cabins come with a toasty tartan-clad hot water bottle in each bed for the evening.

Meals Included

1 x Dinners

Day 2: Cowal Games

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Head out to the Cowal Games Ceilidh at The Queens Hall in Dunoon. This is a traditional ceilidh dance with a live band with the audience encouraged to participate in all the usual ceilidh dances.

A day at the Highland Games on the Saturday with a packed lunch available. Later you will see the famous Cowal March Past and after dinner on board, the Fireworks Finale.

Accommodation

On board 'Glen Tarsan'

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 3: Set off for the Beautiful Kyles of Bute.

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On the Sunday, set off for the beautiful Kyles of Bute and anchor in remote Loch Riddon and take an evening stroll along its banks. Watch out for wildlife, help the crew drop lobster pots or try a spot of fishing.

Accommodation

On board 'Glen Tarsan'

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 4 - 6: Set off for the beautiful Kyles of Bute and the Arran Islands

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There is no set itinerary due to the variable conditions of sailing, however, typical stopovers and anchorages include:

-Cruise Loch Long to Arrochar and enjoy a tranquil dinner at anchor off Carrick Castle in the stunning Loch Goil

-Sail to the Isle of Bute and explore the pretty coastal town of Rothesay

-Visit Rothesay Castle and the amazing Mount Stuart House and Gardens

-Explore the colourful village of East Loch Tarbert

-Help the crew drop lobster pots from the boat tender or try your hand at fishing

-Take a morning coastal walk to Tighnabruaich

-Sail to East Loch Tarbert and anchor off Stonefield Castle for the night with the opportunity to go ashore to see the gardens

-Cruise Loch Fyne to Inveraray, explore the town and choose from several delightful walks

-Sail the coast of Arran, calling in at Lochranza and visiting the distillery there

-Visit Brodick Castle and Gardens and try locally produced cheeses, beers and aromatics

Each day starts leisurely with breakfast in the saloon bar - you can then spend time in the wheelhouse with the skipper as you head to a new destination. Twice a day, the vessel will anchor off a new location, including many enchanting places that can only be accessed by the smaller cruise vessel. Approaching historic buildings and villages from the sea always gives a unique perspective and every day brings a new slice of Scottish history to investigate. There are always a selection of delightful walks around each anchorage. Trips ashore tend to last around 1-2 hours.

Fishing from the boat is very popular and whenever possible the crew lay down creels for lobster and crayfish; if successful the catch will appear on your breakfast plate! There are three boat rods and tackle on board and you are welcome to bring your own and fish while the vessel is at anchor. Mackeral is the most common fish caught and your catch can be cooked and served. There is also lobster creels on each boat and you can help the crew set them. We do occasionally get a lobster but crab is more common. You can even enjoy a swim in the loch for those brave souls.

Evenings are a wonderful opportunity to relax and socialise with the Glen Tarsan's open saloon. All meals are served at the communal table in the deck saloon, although canapes and drinks are often served on the outdoor aft deck, which is accessible through French doors, to catch the last of the evening light. After dinner is often a very sociable time when guests and crew exchange stories of the day's activities. There is a good library in the deck saloon with books, maps and videos on the history, culture and wildlife of the local area. You can enjoy a chat over a drink from the bar while others prefer to sit alfresco on the aft deck watching the sun set or take the chance to go ashore by tender for an evening stroll.

Accommodation

On board 'Glen Tarsan'

Meals Included

3 x Breakfasts
3 x Lunches
3 x Dinners

Day 7: Disembark at Holy Loch

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On the Thursday morning, arrive back at Holy at around 11am for disembarking

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts