Glenapp Castle Hebridean Sea Safari

On arrival at the hotel you will be met by the Glenapp team and after drinks and familiarisation you will be taken to your beautiful bedroom suites. That evening or early the next morning, you will have the opportunity to meet your personal Sea Safari Manager and to talk about the final plans for your Sea Safari and the days ahead. At this point, we will have a better indication of the short term weather forecast and we can discuss any adjustments to the itinerary of your Sea Safari adventure.

After pre dinner drinks and canapes it will be time for dinner in one of our two dining rooms, or in the Azalea restaurant. After a leisurely dinner, relax afterwards by the open fire whilst listening to the piano in the drawing room. Take in the stunning views to Ailsa Craig and Arran, islands which can be viewed from the castle drawing room.

After a traditional Scottish breakfast, you might choose to relax in the grandeur of the hotel or cycle or walk around the estate or indeed our concierge team could organise one of over seventy five experiences and activities which can be enjoyed in or around the castle itself. These activities range from falconry to foraging, art classes or guided tours of the locality.

After your day’s activities, meet again for pre-dinner drinks, share your stories from the day whilst our Chefs prepare for you another fabulous three course gourmet dinner showcasing all our Glenapp grown and local Scottish produce.

Today your Sea Safari begins! Fully equipped for the two nights and three days ahead, you will be transferred to our local port where you will meet our captain and crew for your departure from Girvan harbour. After a familiarisation including a safety briefing, you will head out to sea towards the iconic Ailsa Craig island which will be your first destination of the day.

Ailsa Craig is a 1100m high volcanic plug which has some of the most dense granite in the world which is used to make curling stones and ornaments. Ailsa craig is also home to seal colonies, gannets and puffins, with tens of thousands of these birds living on the western cliffs of the island. The cacophony of noise and the volume of birds is something to behold!

From Ailsa Craig you will head towards the island of Sanda, where the vessel will anchor and you will enjoy a tea or coffee break, or perhaps a glass of champagne. Sanda is known as "Spoon Island" because of its resemblance to an upturned spoon when viewed from the South coast of the island. After leaving Sanda, you will continue your sea adventure around the famous Mull of Kintyre heading for either the isle of Islay or Gigha where a beautiful lunch will be laid on.

After lunch the boat will head north towards the McCormaig Island where there will be an opportunity to explore some of the archaeology, history and wildlife of these famous islands. Many centuries ago the islands were home to Irish Christian monks coming to evangelise the Scottish west coast kings.  As the boat continues its journey north that afternoon, the team on board may guide you to the home of nesting eagles or to spot seals and dolphins before eventually arriving at the Glenapp Jura Camp. With fires burning and cocktails awaiting, it will be time to meet your island concierge team and private chef. The team will guide you to your glamping home for the next two nights and direct you to a hot shower as you prepare for a most memorable private dinner. It is difficult to imagine enjoying extraordinary cuisine whilst listening to seals in the background and looking out of the dining tent at stunning sea and mountain views. After dinner enjoy story telling and night sky gazing before bed or perhaps board games and reading around the fire.

A freshly prepared full Scottish breakfast awaits you with the most stunning Hebridean Island views.

The team and crew will have assessed the weather and tides for the day and depending on those along with your preferences you may head to Colonsay or Oronsay two beautiful islands 10 miles west of Jura. Some of the most beautiful white beaches are on these islands. Whilst you are unlikely to sea any people, you are likely to see long horned cattle or wild goats here.

Alternatively, you may head north to the Garvellachs Islands, or further still to Iona and Staffa to see the famous Fingal’s cave. However remote or whichever location be sure that a delicious lunch awaits you prepared by the concierge team.

Each journey has its own unique elements and this might include coming alongside a trawler to pick up some fresh lobster or scallops, it could include some fishing for mackerel. Either way the day will end with an extraordinary private dining experience on the Island of Jura with undoubtedly more stories to share.

After a leisurely breakfast, today you might have an opportunity to see the nearby house where George Orwell wrote 1984. The crew could also take you to the slate islands or around the Grey Dogs of Scarba and the Corryvreckan to see the extraordinary whirlpools. You may wish to visit a distillery or see the wonder of the Crinan canal. After lunch and depending once again on your own preferences, transport will be waiting for you to take you to your next hotel or indeed back to Glenapp Castle.

(Please note:  The Glenapp Sea safari is 4 nights and 5 days including the time at Glenapp Castle. The days at Glenapp Castle or on the Sea Safari can be extended. For those who wish to extend their Sea Safari, itineraries can be created to include the northern Hebrides including the isles of Skye, Lewis, Harris, Rum, Eigg and Canna)