11-17 September 2024
sail -swim itinerary
Day 1
2pm -meet at Dunstaffnage Marina, Dunbeg - three miles north of Oban on the A85.
or take the 405 bus from the town centre - 22 minutes
After you have found your cabins and we have had skipper’s safety briefing we will introduce you to Provident and set sail!
Ist stop Loch Spelve on the Isle of Mull - a beautiful sheltered loch perfect for an acclimatisation swim.
On this first evening your guide and coach Anna will talk with you all individually to discuss your swimming goals for the trip.
Between Anna and Steve, the skipper, the plans for the next few days will take shape.
Day 2
Day: Sail to the Garvellachs - Archipelago of three small islands and six rocky outcrops and a 542AD monastery founded by St Brendan. Swim between the islands and admire the cliffs and rock formations from the sea. You can only get there if you have a boat.
Evening: Anchor in bay at the south of the island of Lunga – late afternoon swim.
Day 3
Sail past the famous Corryvreckan to the Islands of Colonsay and Oransay.
Swim from Provident to Kiloran bay – beautiful sandy beach where the crew will meet you with your clothes and boots.
Walk over the island (or maybe you’d prefer to sail round?) to Traigh nam Barc bay on the south of Colonsay where Provident awaits. Swim from Provident to Oransay around some of the most stunning rocky coast line.
Day 4
Morning swim from the boat to explore those outcrops you missed last night.
Sail through the Sound of Islay to Ardbeg.
Provident will anchor off the Ardbeg distillery pier. Swim amongst the beautiful skerries in the sheltered Loch an t-Sailein and visit the distillery too perhaps?
Day 5
Heading back North and aiming to catch the tides, we will Anchor in Craighouse bay on Jura for a swim and lunch. Provident will head for Crinan at the south end of Loch Craignish, a sheltered sea loch and a perfect spot for those distance swimmers amongst you to test themselves a bit more The end of the Crinan Canal in an interesting spot and we can go ashore in the evening and visit the local hotel and maybe meet some other water enthusiasts.
Day 6
You will have found your sea legs by now. Early morning swim and a day sail back to Eilean na Cloich near Oban. Last evening swim to a remote and beautiful rocky beach. Maybe a beach barbeque if the weather holds and a celebration of our last dinner together.
Day 7
Last day on the boat - aiming to weigh anchor by 8.30 for 10am arrival back at Dunstaffnage Marina.
a note about the itinerary - this is our plan but Provident is a sailing boat and we will sail when we can and try not to use the motor unless we have to. Luckily there is always somewhere brilliant to go on the west coast of Scotland so we can guarantee you a great trip whatever the weather, wind or tides!