Skarvlines - Scottish Adventure Cruises

I have had the privilege of going to some remarkable places and experiencing some extraordinary journeys. I have visited Antarctica, rounded Cape Horne four times, and gone from Prague to Odessa by train. I have done nothing quite like my recent trip around the North of Scotland however.The journey started in Inverness. We then travelled via Wick, Orkney (Kirkwall and Stromness), the Old Man of Hoy, and Loch Eriboll. We rounded the point of Ness coming ashore on Hirta the main island in the Saint Kilda archipelago. From there we motored to Barra, Eriskay, Tobermory, Glencoe, Kinlochleven and eventually back to Inverness, via the Caledonian Canal.Saint Kilda was of course special, but the transportation, the Nova Spero equally so. Built in Abroath in 1973, she is one of the last carvel built ships to issue from a UK shipyard. Most UK fishing boats are steel and have been for the last 50 years.The people on the journey were special too. John MacInnes, the Master Mariner owner of the vessel shared captaincy with Bill Summers. Bill is one of the best known (fishing boat) owner skippers in the UK. He has fished the waters around Scotland for over forty years and achieved a well deserved reputation for wit, wisdom, instinct, skill and timing.I felt very comfortable, having John and Bill in charge when we encountered turbulent waters. I felt they could sail to hell and back, without breaking sweat. Likewise it was a privilege to get to know Kevin the ship's engineer and Jim, the cook, steward and deckhand; according to circumstance.

I had the pleasure of a Scottish cruise with Skarv Lines, the boat is beautifully presented and very comfortable. It’s a retired fishing boat and gives you such a rustic feel which made for an even greater experience. The staff were brilliant; the Skipper Bill was informative and open to any suggestions of areas we would like to visit. The Stewardess, Hannah, was friendly and couldn’t do more to make us feel welcome. The chef cooked some amazing dishes, the most outstanding night was Angus catching lobster, crabs and prawns and the chef preparing a seafood buffet. Fresh and delicious!There was live music onboard for our night cap, which everyone loved.The views, the water, the dolphins, the stops around the islands.. it all came together in the most perfect trip and I can’t wait to board again!

The Nova Spero is a splendid way to experience Scotland. Not only does she take you to places that are difficult or impossible to get to without a boat, the crew are friendly and knowledgeable about the local area. I learned a tremendous amount about life in the Hebrides - fish farming, life at sea as a captain or skipper or bosun, or a fisherman or a chef. And we had stellar musicians on board for our cruise.I was stunned at how very complex sea-faring is. It is a protean world affected by the winds, the sky, the depth of the water, the gravitational pull of the moon. A constant refrain from the crew was that they couldn't leave the sea for more than a few days before they were drawn back. It's all-consuming - a different world.I highly recommend experiencing it via the Nova Spero.