The Majestic Line sets sights on new horizons

Press release

Scottish small ship cruise specialist, The Majestic Line, has commissioned a new purpose built boat for the 2016 season adding new and more distant itineraries. 

The MV Glen Etive will complement the two existing refurbished traditional fishing boats, which offer unique cruises around Scotland’s west coasts and islands.  The new vessel is currently being built by Ardmaleish Boatbuilding Co. Ltd on the Clyde, with funding assistance from Highland and Islands Enterprise. 

Finished in traditional wood and brass, with spacious accommodation and a steel based hull, the new boat will undertake longer cruises and visit new Outer Hebridean destinations, with trips planned as far afield as St Kilda.

Small ship cruising with The Majestic Line blends the adventure of discovering some of the most inaccessible and beautiful areas of Scotland’s idyllic western isles, with the intimacy of a house party.  The concept has proved increasingly popular with visitors from the UK to Australia, with cruises booking well in advance and a high level of repeat business. When the MV Glen Etive launches in April 2016 it will add valuable additional capacity to meet demand.   

All three vessels are fitted out to a high standard and the on board cuisine, using locally sourced produce, is presented as an informal fine dining experience.  Offering three, six, and ten night cruises, as well as private whole boat charters, The Majestic Line takes passengers to the heart of Scotland’s remote islands. Existing boats can accommodate eleven passengers in en-suite cabins and the MV Glen Etive will add an additional berth, with all three offering two cabins for single occupancy at no additional supplement.

Andy Thoms, managing director of The Majestic Line, comments:  “The Majestic Line cruises take guests on a personal tour of Scotland’s loveliest hideaway places.  The locally built MV Glen Etive, with the look and feel of a 1930’s ‘gentleman’s motor yacht’, will bring an additional choice of longer destinations to far flung places such as the St Kilda world heritage site.  It is the comfort of our ships, the level of service and the opportunity to travel in style that brings guests back time and again to experience such unique and special adventures.” 

David Smart, senior development manager with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said:  “The Majestic Line has demonstrated an ability to create and develop a unique tourism offering for the west coast of Scotland. Sustainable tourism and the marine environment are both valued by HIE and we are delighted to invest in this new vessel which will lead to increased economic benefits for rural islands and mainland communities.”

Cruise itineraries range from the Small Isles and Skye, visiting Eigg, Rum and Canna, to St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides, taking in the Shiant Islands and the Isles of North and South Uist.  A number of special interest cruises are also available, including a Wildlife Explorer Cruise which offers the chance to explore the Isle of Mull.

The Glen Massan Visitors Book 2014

In the office we have been enjoying reading the onboard visitors books from 2014.  Here are some of our favourites from the Glen Massan.

"The most wonderful experience.  Thank you for showing us a country we thought we knew".  

 Eileen Ramsay, Angus.  Private Cruise Charter April 2014.

"A great 50^th anniversary for Joan and I – Tropical weather in April!!  Just one day, wee drop of rain and choppy seas.  The crew, Skipper, excellent fellow passengers great company – Back to the gym to get slim".  

Mike Ellett, Australia. April 2014

"A truly magical holiday.  My heart is now definitely in the Highlands – and Islands!.  

Richard Rees, London.  May 2014.

"Our third voyage.  Each one different and lovely in its own way.  Thank you to the Captain and the crew for looking after us so well." 
Paul Salmon, England. June 2014. 

"What a great introduction to the islands.  We’ll be back".
Anne Treadaway, England. June 2014.

"Fabulous week.  Great food. Friendly crew – helpful with boisterous kids and decrepit oldies alike!" 
Ian Miller, Private Cruise Charter. July 2014. 

"Many thanks to a fabulous crew who looked after us so well.  Big respect to the Skipper for getting us to St Kilda and back safely.  The killer whales and pods of dolphins were a bonus.  Another tick on my bucket list.  Thank you." 
Anna Dorrington, England. August 2014.

"We’ve been to remote parts of Scotland I’ve only read about.  Thoroughly enjoyed the masterchef-like food, been rescued from fast flowing rapids by the engineer and had great fun in the evenings playing Flora’s Empires game.  Thank you for everything!" 
Carole McAlister, Glasgow. Aug 2014.  

"Outstanding cruise with exceptional weather, scenery and multinational passengers all sharing common interest in mode of travel and delight in sighting eagles, whales, dolphins and seals.  We had the happy fortune to blend and be in Scotland during historic times.  Food and crew beyond expectations. Their hard work was delivered with charm and ease belying the effort and thought to every detail.  Superb experience!" 
Richard & Rubyjean Gould, USA. Sept 2014.  

"This has been a wonderfully memorable experience and I am so grateful for the way my dream of the Caledonian Canal was revisited.  It will be forever in my heart and the images will live on in my soul." 
Trish Reid, Australia.  Oct 2014.

Island focus: Gigha

The tiny, beautiful Island of Gigha in the Southern Hebrides has a long history, having been inhabited continuously since prehistoric times.  Step ashore on the Isle of Gigha from the sea and you are following in the tracks of the people who settled from Ireland, the Vikings who plundered from distant Scandinavia and of the Norse King Hakon.  Gigha may have had an important role during the Kingdom of Dalriada and is the ancestral home of Clan MacNeill.  The Island is now community-owned with a population of 150 residents.

Gigha was attractive to settlers because of its fertile soil.  It is the most southerly of the Hebridean Islands and one of the most beautiful . Seven miles long by a mile and a half wide, Gigha is three miles west of the Kintyre Peninsula, separated by the Sound of Gigha.  The environment is breathtaking with sandy beaches, clear green seas and is a haven for birdlife.

There are fabulous views of neighbouring islands to the west and the Kintyre mainland from the east of the island.  Because it is set on the eastern shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Gigha attracts a wide variety of sea birds which breed on Eilean Garbh, a small tidal island in the North.  Gigha's unique microclimate allows the growing of tender plants from around the world, including an impressive collection of Rhododendron species. Achamore gardens covers 50 acres and is central to the life of the island.

The ancient history of Gigha is filled with turbulent times and legendary tales. It can still be felt at various archeological sites throughout the island.  Kilchattan chapel, dating from the 13^th century is near the entrance to Achamore Gardens .

Gigha is a popular stopover on our first cruise of the season, Mull of Kintyre and the Inner Hebrides, now only 3 cabins remaining for 2015.  It is also on the itinerary of The Heritage and Wildlife of the Southern Hebrides, with one cabin for 2015 remaining on May 2nd.