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Scotland Real Food Cruise
Departing from Holy Loch, this cruise is ideal for anyone who loves the sea, fantastic Scottish food and excellent hospitality. You will go ashore and meet the very people who produce some of Scotland's finest food and drink.
Meals aboard this cruise will feature the excellent seasonal Argyll produce available in October, venison from the hill and free range pork and beef as well as seasonal fruit and vegetables, complemented by locally produced cheeses, smoked fish and shellfish and many other gourmet delights.
The September cruise is timed to coincide with the eatBute Food Festival which takes place within the fabulous setting of Mount Stuart House and Gardens on the Isle of Bute.
You will also explore the sheltered sea lochs of the spectacular Cowal Peninsula rich in wildlife. If you are lucky you might spot porpoises, basking sharks and even the odd whale and there are many varieties of birds to be seen on the water and onshore.
You will be cruising Scotland on board the Glen Massan. 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 Massan 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.
Arrive into Glasgow
Explore the Sea Lochs and visit local producers, festivals and villages
Return to Holy Loch and then Glasgow
Countries visited
Places visited
Transportation
On board the Glen Massan as well as transfers to and from the Glasgow Airport.
Included In Price
Transfers to the ship from the Glasgow Airport, services of the crew, all meals on board, afternoon tea, snacks, soft drink and wine at dinner included.Meeting the producers of fine Scottish produce and suppliers. In addition, there will be wine and whisky tastings on board.
Meals Included
This tour includes 17 meals; 6 breakfasts 5 lunches 6 dinners
Not Included In Price
Flight tickets, Entry to attractions not included.
Important Information
Getting to Holy Loch: If arriving by train to Glasgow, take the connection to Gourock which includes the ferry trip to Dunoon. If arriving at Glasgow Airport, you will be greeted and have a free pick up at 2pm on the Saturday for boarding at Holy Loch at 4pm. If arriving by car, Holy Loch Marina provides secure overnight parking at £7.00 per night. Free unsecured paring is available approximately 250 yards from the marina at a public car park.| Start | End | Twin share | |
| 7 Jul 2012 | 13 Jul 2012 | AU$ 3300 | |
| 8 Sep 2012 | 14 Sep 2012 | AU$ 3300 | |
| 6 Jul 2013 | 12 Jul 2013 | AU$ 3300 | |
| Indicative prices | |||
| 7 Sep 2013 | 13 Sep 2013 | AU$ 3300 | |
Day 1 Arrive into Glasgow
If arriving at Glasgow Airport, you will be greeted and have a free pick up at 2pm on the Saturday for boarding at Holy Loch at 4pm.
We set off this evening once everyone is safely on board and find our first secluded loch for our first celebratory meal together.
Accommodation
On board 'Glen Massan'
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.
Transportation Times
One hour transfer to Holy Loch.
Each day's cruise varies in length depending on sea and weather conditions.
Meals Included
Dinners1
Day 2 to 6 Explore the Sea Lochs and visit local producers, festivals and villages
The Glen Massan visits the spectacular sea lochs of the Cowal Peninsula including Loch Goil, Loch Long and Loch Fyne.
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 and wine tasting at anchor off Carrick Castle in the stunning Loch Goil
-Visit Whiting Bay on Arran and enjoy a tour of a fascinating herb farm; then on to Torrylin Creamery where they produce Isle of Arran cheese.
-Sail to The Isle of Bute; spend the Sunday at the splendid Mount Stuart and visit the eatBute festival in the grounds
-Explore pretty Rothesay Town, calling in at Henshelwoods Fine Foods
-Cruise the beautiful Kyles of Bute and anchor in remote Loch Riddon.
-Help the crew drop lobster pots from the boat tender and indulge in some whisky tasting onboard.
-Cruise Loch Fyne to Inveraray and enjoy a personal tour of the famous Loch Fyne Oyster and Mussel Farm and Ardkinglass House. Call in at the brewery and sample ales from Fyne Ales.
-Sail the coast of Arran, calling in at Lochranza and visit the Isle of Arran distillery.
-Visit Whiting Bay on Arran and enjoy a tour of a fascinating herb farm; then on to Torrylin Creamery where they produce Isle of Arran cheese.
-Visit Brodick and enjoy tours around Arran Chocolate Factory, the Island Cheese Company and Arran Brewery.
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 2-3 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 Massan'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 Massan'
Meals Included
Breakfasts5, Lunches5, Dinners5
Day 7 Return to Holy Loch and then Glasgow
All cruises disembark at approximately 11am on the last day of the cruise. There is a transfer provided back to the Glasgow airport or you can enjoy more of Scotland by land.
Transportation Times
One hour transfer to Glasgow airport
Meals Included
Breakfasts1