What are people saying about their trip on Provident?
We ask our guests to tell us about their expectations, their experience above and below decks, the food and the crew.
All comments are anonymous although sometimes we can guess who made them!
Here is what they have been saying…
Most said they would recommend the trip to a friend. Some said they already had.
If there was wind, we sailed. If none, we walked across virgin bog and highland. If hungry, the food was delicious. If exercise was required, we hauled up sails, heavy ones and lots of them. If wanting a chat, there were 8 passengers and three crew-all interesting in one way or another. If there was sun or rain, we enjoyed being on deck. If nostalgia was wanted, Provident had it at 99 years old-built as a Brixham trawler with no deference to modernisation
It was memorable. If it was scenery you are looking for, the Hebrides are unbeatable. If good sailing waters, there maybe wind but not much chop on the sea, the islands breaking it up.
Thank you for a wonderful week on Provident !
I took a plunge in the unknown and was blown over by your warm welcome, accommodating patience ,very tasty cooking, disarming smiles and relaxed attitudes and fascinating story of Provident!
The days were adjusted to the weather and so we managed to get the best of all Scotland has to offer: exciting sailing, majestic views, beautiful walks, cold water swimming, exercise while hoisting sails and comforting food and plenty cups of tea! And not to dismiss the dolphins, porpoises, whales and seals!
I hope to be back some time soon and wish you success and happiness in this project!
As a sailor myself, my week aboard Provident left me with much food for thought, and some ideas about how to better handle my own boat. It was fascinating to learn something of how a 100-year-old boat is worked with nothing more than block and tackle, thousands of feet of rope, and sheer brute strength. But it was the management of the yacht in Steve’s capable hands that left the greatest impression: the careful preparation for every manoeuvre, the patient and unhurried way those preparations and manoeuvres were carried out, the way the boat was worked with wind, tide and current, with minimal use of the engine, are all things that I will endeavour to bring to the management of my own boat.
Excellent. The opportunity to help was always there and Ben, Steve and Morag were always happy to guide and provide advice, but still give you meaningful jobs to do. Alternatively it was possible to sit out of any activity if you wished without any feeling of pressure.
The crew were extremely skilled and competent, and I felt completely safe in their hands. They made sure everything worked without shouting or much stress, which is a tricky skill in sailing!
I loved getting to have a go of sailing and being at the helm! The crew were so good at teaching and speaking through what we were doing and why. And we got to see so many beautiful places from the sea!
An amazing week! The accommodation was much better than 'good' - very cosy and comfy bunks and even electric heads and a great shower - luxury! Fantastic sailing in stunning scenery and lots of birds and wildlife, including eagles and dolphins. The food was excellent and plentiful, always delectable aromas from the galley. All in all, an unforgettable experience on a beautifully restored vessel.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the bunk beds. Though narrow, they were pretty comfortable for beds on a sailing ship, and the bed linens provided were great quality.….. The interior has been redone with taste and is superfunctional - the big table and kitchen provide plenty of room for breakfast/lunch/dinner conversation. Oh and - shower, and one that has real hot water ... that's a treat.
Steve is a highly capable skipper who inspires confidence in all and is a patient and generous teacher. Morag, as well, is highly capable in all things around the boat and is generous with her time in getting to know the people who are sailing with her. Ben is a fine young man, tremendously knowledgeable and energetic, taking on any task with energy and maintaining his good humour even when halyards jam and topsails fail to set properly. Cameron is a delight, a wizard in the galley who loves good music of any genre, quick with a light word and in live with life.
I liked the fact that we were buying and using local produce as we moved from place to place. I was happy with the organic way in which decisions about destinations and walks came about, and understand the importance of this rather than trying to stick to a fixed schedule, but I can imagine that others might find this process a bit more frustrating - maybe something to emphasize at the start, and reinforce from time to time en route.
I wish you many happy voyages ahead as you carry on with the work of preserving and restoring Provident while giving people the opportunity to experience the magic of the sea aboard a traditional sailing vessel.
It was good fun. Everyone was very kind, calm and explained things in a clear way. They didn't get frustrated when they had to repeat things multiple times for those new to sailing. They were very enthusiastic and encouraging throughout. I loved that everyone got to go on the helm and that Steve was right there offering support during choppy bits. Every day I felt like I had achieved something or learnt something new. I enjoyed swimming from the boat and our hikes.
I had no prior sailing experience and yet I had the chance to learn about and experience sailing. Every crew member was happy to answer questions and explain everything. Also they were ready to involve you in the actual sailing as little or as much as you wanted, anytime. I can honestly say that the trip sparked a desire to learn more about boats and sailing in general. The crews enthusiasm for sailing and Provident really shone through
I had a great time. I was keen to take part in some of the sailing and the crew were very helpful and informative. (As well as being very nice about me getting things wrong). It often felt that the crew were going above and beyond.
It was a fascinating introduction to how a sailing ship operates, and opened my eyes to all the variables that a skipper has to balance up - wind conditions, the current and future state of the tides, the selection and sequencing of the mooring stops - all sifted and weighed with experience. The sailing was well-balanced with stops and onshore walks, so I was very happy here too.
Got back home last night, and still thinking about our wonderful week with you all on Provi. Thank you all for a great trip! It was a wonderful group of people, and we all seemed to get on well together. I've been singing your praises to many, especially about the great restoration job you have done on Provi, and how comfortable you have made her. It really was a great way to enjoy the beauty of the west coast of Scotland and get to see some of the wildlife.
The food was GREAT. Honestly, I was superimpressed with the variety of dishes, the fact that every taste and dietary restriction was catered to, and all of it was absolutely delicious. I've told Morag I'd buy the Provident cookbook, and I meant it! I thought it was great that every afternoon there was a homebaked cake, or cookies... honestly , food was great but it was also plenty. I did not lose any weight ...
(The food?) Unbelievable ! Far exceeded my expectations. Gulio is an incredible cook who delivered every meal with a smile and tremendous grace. Steve's Indian curry night was really delicious too.
Thank you very much for what was a wonderful holiday. We were really lucky with the weather, I suppose, but that trip was a dream. And it hit the spot in terms of meeting our needs and expectations as a group. I hate to say it, and I know it all depends on the market, but considering the fantastic food and drink, it was a bargain too.
All very good. Chris, as 'relief skipper', did a good job - kept us informed about best sailing/destinaton options depending on wind/tide, was always in charge when setting off or anchoring, but didn't micromanage and let the Mates (and us 'guest crew') get on with things. Ben and Jamie as the Mates were excellent - expert, helpful, patient and informative, and also helped with some of the cooking & meals. And as mentioned above re food - Issy is so competent, and with a permanent smile and a chat. I thought the crew and our group as guests all gelled very well, it was a nice relaxed atmosphere throughout.
You've got it perfect. Thanks for keeping heritage boats on the water.