Hebridean Sea Safari
A four night adventure on the scottish west coast
Mara Cuairt-Dànachd
(Sea adventure in Scottish Gaelic)
Your hebridean safari begins with a stay in one of the finest boutique hotels in Britain, this five red star Relais & Châteaux hotel provides an intimate level of service, with genuine attention to detail. It has great beauty in its period furnishings and interiors and through the breath-taking gardens, forest and seascapes that surround the castle.
As you sweep up the long tree-clad drive you will glimpse the beautiful facade of the castle, encapsulating the romance of the Scottish baronial style with magical towers, turrets and crenellations.
Once inside, a world of Victorian splendour is yours. Oak-panelled halls lead to the heart of the castle, offering stunning views out to sea, taking in the famous volcanic outcrop of Ailsa Craig, then on to the Isle of Arran, Holy Island and, on a clear day, the hills of Northern Ireland.
The sea safari is designed to bring the very best of a five-star castle hotel experience, together with days and nights in the wilds of the Hebridean islands. On your journey, you will visit uninhabited and sparsely populated islands which have remained largely unchanged for millennia. Every sea safari adventure will allow guests to enjoy the most glorious of local sea food restaurants and inns. As you travel you will without doubt glimpse both the abundant marine life and vast colonies of guillemot birds together with puffins and cormorants.
With your own private chef on board, it will enable you to experience both the very freshest of local ingredients in unique Scottish island cuisine.
Whilst these elements will form the major part of all sea safaris, it will be for you to decide the emphasis of your trip. It could be that you have a special interest in remote island castle gardens, or that you would like to visit an ancient archaeological site. There are also many Christian settlements and monasteries to visit dating back to the very early centuries. You may have a desire to ‘tee off ’ on that far away hidden golf course overlooking the sea, or for your journey, you may wish to understand more of the culture and music of the islands, together with visiting a wide variety of historic castles. Perhaps long ago you had ancestors who lived in the Hebrides and you would like to discover their history, or you have always had a desire to visit a genuine Scottish island distillery.
Share your sea safari emphasis and it will be designed into your sea safari experience.
Inspired by the classical African safari adventure, the Glenapp sea safaris offer similar drama but on this occasion surrounded by sea, islands, mountains, cliffs and sea life. Whilst you are enjoying the seascapes and breath-taking views, the Glenapp concierge team will have travelled ahead preparing the night’s accommodation with luxury glamping.
Beds will be made, rugs laid, lamps and hot water prepared for the much-needed shower. Positioned in unique and remote locations, this is the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience prepared by Glenapp’s chef before a well-earned night’s sleep under the stars.
Breakfast is already being cooked when you arise the following morning as the skipper prepares for the next leg of your seaward journey.
