Copyright dailyrecord
A six-night cruise from the Holy Loch to the Isle of Arran has been hailed as Scotland's best island cruise. The voyage takes travellers from the Holy Loch in the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran whilst enjoying spectacular views of Loch Long, Loch Goil, the Isle of Cumbrae, the Kyles of Bute as well as the Ailsa Craig. Located on the south-western edge of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, the Holy Loch has a long history. Its name is believed to date back to the sixth century when Saint Munn arrived there from Ireland, and Kilmun Parish Church and Argyll Mausoleum are said to stand on the site of his original church. During the Second World War , the loch also served as a Royal Navy submarine base. Today it is known as the “marine gateway” to the National Park, popular with sailors, yachts and kayakers. The trip was celebrated as the finest for "wildlife encounters" whilst other voyages were highlighted for their remote adventures and rich history. It received acclaim in The Telegraph when it featured in their "best Scottish island cruises" list, which showcased a total of six cruises in the round-up on September 23. The Telegraph wrote: "Argyll Cruising's engaging skipper-owner, Ted Creek, takes passengers aboard his eight-passenger small ship around his beloved-and the less cruised-Firth of Clyde on a wildlife voyage that is up there with the Hebridean islands.", reports the Scottish Daily Express. "Arran is the largest isle in the Firth, the only one of Scotland's 800 or so islands to boast all the Scottish wildlife Big Five: harbour seals, golden eagles, red squirrels, otters and red deer, the latter the largest land mammal in the British Isles. "The hulking granite stack of uninhabited Ailsa Craig is another wildlife highlight with its myriad seabirds." The publication added: "Life aboard Splendour is a relaxed affair. The highlight is lunch out on the hulking hardwood table on the bow. Afterwards, Ted loves nothing more than a good natter on the open bridge of this lovingly converted Dutch trawler." The paper's travel gurus highlighted a cruise that takes tourists around the Isle of Mull, Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles, describing it as the best for a "remote adventure". This six-night journey sets sail from Oban , making stops at these picturesque islands. The Telegraph noted: "There is nothing quite like the epic adventure of sailing all the way out to St Kilda, but Mull and its surrounding isles offer serious world-class adventures within much easier sailing distance of Oban." Another top pick was the Orkney: A Voyage Through Time, which they touted as the best for "history buffs". This six-night cruise takes guests to Kirkwall, the largest town on the island, and the Island of Hoy. Additionally, the experts recommended the cruise that takes Scots around the Great Glen and Inner Isles for its unique blend of canal and sea sections. A highland cruise from Inverness to Fort William, with a tour of the Outer Hebrides starting from Oban, also made the list.
