Oban Sea School

Being able to take the Day Skipper course in such beautiful surroundings was a bonus really. Equally impressive was Robert's quality and style teaching with his heads up" approach to navigation and pilotage

I've just returned from a fantastic weeks sailing with Robert, who is the perfect host and a wealth of knowledge regarding all things sailing.Robert has been sailing since he was a child and has built an amazing knowledge over several decades, which he is only too willing to share in his own inimitable style. He will challenge your understanding, encourage you to make decisions and drop subtle hints, usually in the form of a question, to ensure the correct outcome.Aquila is clearly Robert's pride and joy, having been painstakingly build with his own hands. The yacht is comfortable and clean, with all the necessary safety and navigational equipment. All things safety were thoroughly explained before we departed, with additional information given when appropriate.

Just finished a great week with Oban Sea School on the Competent Crew Course. Such a great adventure sailing to beautiful and remote anchorages, in the company of Minke whales and porpoises. I felt very secure on Aquila and had great faith in her and in Brian our instructor, in very varied sea conditions. Brian patiently shared his knowledge with the two of us doing Competent Crew and the three doing Day Skipper. We all learned a huge amount and had a great time.

Had a truly memorable exciting time doing the Competent Crew course under the expert tutelage of Robert Kincaid. I thoroughly recommend Oban Sea School to anyone who wants to learn a huge amount in a short space of time. The Inner Hebrides offer challenging water, wind and tide, and are of course astoundingly beautiful into the bargain.Robert was a perfect host. His self-built boat, the Aquila, is huge fun to sail. He taught us a great deal with kindness, humour and real insight. Five nights anchoring in lovely, isolated bays; a night sail; a swim (cold); a few porpoises, a lot of seals, and an eagle.Wonderful.

For anyone contemplating sailing as a pastime or seeking to develop existing skills look no further than Oban Sea School.Having recently completed a six day course with Robert Kincaid ( myself relatively inexperienced and my wife a complete novice) I can safely say that anyone doing so will not be disappointed.Robert imparts his knowledge and expertise in a professional manner encouraging the inquiring mind whilst at the the same time engendering confidence as different aspects are addressed.I cannot speak more highly of this course and would encourage anyone with a desire to progress their sailing experience to contact Oban Sea School accordingly.

My Family and I undertook our day skipper and competent crew qualifications with Robert and his brilliant hand-build yacht Aquila. Robert was fantastic from his yacht skills to his onboard catering and evening entertainment. A great teacher with deep knowledge of the area from whom we all learnt lots and would recommend highly to anyone else. Trés Bon, captain Kincaid!

I completed the Day Skipper course with Robert at Oban Sea School. I can highly recommend for those looking to experience an authentic Scottish West Coast sailing experience. I came away educated, inspired and keen to sail! Thank you Robert.

I was very impressed with my week at sea doing my Day Skipper with Robert and his team who offered top class instruction, good food and a relaxed comfortable environment from which to learn. Can highly recommend to anyone looking to develop their sailing skills.

Excellent sea school. Robert is a fantastic instructor who gradually introduces you to all aspects of the course you are undertaking, without realising, it's as if he is just chatting away and the next thing you know, he's got you sailing, listening to the forecast and planning your next journey with the weather and the tides in mind. Over dinner I said that there were a couple of things I wasn't t too sure of and the next day he ensured that I worked with the sails and allowed me practice on deck. Robert has a great teaching style, gentle but insists that you do the job right! Aqulia is a great boat to allow you to get your sea legs and come rain or shine, it's an amazing sail with a sailor who knows that seas around the islands very well. Oh and he makes a great veggie curry!

We have just completed the Competent Crew course with Robert Kincaid, the captain of Aquila. We had a fantastic week sailing around the west coast of Scotland, one of the most beautiful places I have been. Robert built his boat himself and so knows it inside out and takes great pride in her (rightly so!).He has a wealth of experience and his relaxed teaching style meant the the course was packed with information without it ever feeling like it wasn't a holiday.The food was an added bonus! All meals were delicious and Robert is able to work wonders in his little galley, you won't go hungry. As you would hope, there is an endless supply of tea and biscuits if required.I cannot recommend sailing in this part of the world enough and Robert is the perfect guide and instructor. We hope to come back in the future to explore more of the Islands and hope some more of Roberts knowledge rubs off on us