Fleur de Lys

The beautiful West Coast of Scotland and its islands are, perhaps, best explored by boat. The waters are home to seals, dolphins and whales, the land to mountains, deer and hardy folk and the skies to sea eagles and stars. Board a boat and you can see it all, cruising between the mainland and the islands, enjoying wildlife and water as you sail. And, if you don’t know your port from your starboard, fear not, there is a way: a cruise aboard the Fleur de Lys.

This 21-metre motorcruiser has three cabins for guests and offers cruises of the Hebridean coastline from May to September. You can book a cabin on one of its scheduled voyages or charter the whole boat for your group. Either way, she comes crewed by a knowledgeable skipper and the added bonus of an on-board chef, giving you all the time you’ll need to take in the views, watch the wildlife, relaxing on board and exploring on shore. Cruises are fully catered and all inclusive too, making use of the seasonal produce that’s available on Scottish shores.

The guest cabins on the Fleur de Lys are a spacious double en-suite and two twins, each with proper mattresses, beds, bedding and towels. The shared saloon offers comfy seating and panoramic views of whatever you’re cruising past and guests are welcome on the bridge alongside the skipper. Once the boat is at anchor, the top deck’s comfy seating is the place to take it all in; and if you’re near a port you can hop aboard the tender to enjoy some time on dry land.

Cruises on the Fleur de Lys commence from Mallaig, a harbour town at the end of road and rail on the West Coast beyond Fort William. From here, Skye and the so-called 'Small Isles' are the the obvious destination and it’s here that most of Fleur de Lys’ cruises head for, though the islands of the Outer Hebrides also sometimes feature. Exact anchor points and ports of call can change with the weather, wildlife sightings and guest requests, but what is guaranteed is a voyage you won’t forget. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll know your port from your starboard too!