Best Scottish Tours

Welcome aboard a truly unique Scottish cruise with The Majestic Line, sailing from Holy Loch, near Dunoon.  Your vessel is The Glen Massan, a traditional wooden Scottish fishing boat which has been beautifully converted into a mini-cruise boat. You will explore the most delightful areas of tranquil waters on the spectacular Coast of Argyll, reaching places only The Majestic Line cruises can access  The Glen Massan accommodates 11 guests in 6 ensuite cabins with a variety of 3-night or 6-night Scottish cruise itineraries to choose from.

The Majestic Line guests enjoy excellent hospitality while enjoying panoramic views of the spectacular West Coast of Scotland scenery from the indoor dining saloon and outdoor decks. There is plenty of opportunity to go ashore to explore coastlines rich in wildlife, dotted with traditional fishing villages and historic castles.

Holy Loch is a small sea Loch on the Cowal Peninsula, an area of Argyll on the South West Coast of Scotland which is distinguished by a coastline which features many large sea lochs.  The sea lochs penetrate far inland, providing calm, sheltered cruising and wonderful reflections from the hills and forests on either side of the lochs and misty, magical landscapes. Many of the idyllic places visited are difficult to get to by road but easy to access by boat.

On the first day of the cruise you will depart Holy Loch at 4pm and sail up Loch Long and Loch Goil, towards Arrochar, a small village at the top of the Loch.  Porpoises and red squirrels are common sightings here and the loch is a popular haunt of otters. There are a choice of shore walks along the coastline which is part of Argyll Forest park.  For the evening you will anchor off Carrick Castle which provides a delightful backdrop for your first dinner on board. With the crew providing for your every need, and getting to know your fellow travelers, you will begin to experience the famous "floating house party" atmosphere of a Majestic Line cruise.

Bute is the ancestral home of the Stuart Kings of Scotland. The 800 year old ruin of Rothesay castle was built by a hereditary High Steward of Scotland from which the surname Stewart, and later Stuart was derived. The circular design of the castle is unique in Scotland and withstood many onslaughts including an invasion by the Vikings

The classic Victorian seafront facade, promenade and pier in Rothesay were in built on land reclaimed from the sea. The original shoreline is about 200 metres inland in front of Rothesay Castle which once stood guard over the bay.

Under the 2nd Earl of Bute the Stuart family moved 7 miles to the south of Rothesay and built Mount Stuart House on an estate of 300 acres. This original Mount Stuart house was partially destroyed in a disastrous fire in 1877, however the 3rd Marquess of Bute was inspired by his artistic, religious and astrological interests to build one of the most magnificent Victorian Gothic mansions in the world.

Bute is also a haven for wildlife and in particular wild goats can often be seen on the beaches from the boat

The Kyles of Bute is world renowned.  The sheltered coastal waters and stunning scenery, have historically established the area as a popular area for people who love being out on the water because of the natural harbours, sheltered beaches and tidal narrows.  Ardlamont  Point has frequent  basking shark reports and occasional pod of dophins and porpoise  and the rocks have seals a-plenty included the more rare and misnamed "common" seal.  At night phosphorescence can often be seen because of the high density of plankton and krill. Under the water  divers describe the seabed as a "Hanging Garden of richness". There are langoustine, lobsters and scallops  which are regularly caught by our local fishermen. There is great fishingfor mackerel in the early summer. You can see pods of dolphins, seals all year rounds "otters aplenty"

Within the Kyles of Bute are small uninhabited islands; the Burnt Islands and the island of Eilean Dubh which create narrows through which vessels must pass which are very picturesque.

It is a perfect place to anchor for the night and dinner is often enjoyed to the backdrop of a perfect westerly sunset.  This area is known as Argyll's secret coast because it is best accessed from the sea.  As you anchor at night all you will hear are the calls of the birds and the sound of the waves against the hull of the boat.

Wake up at anchor in the beautiful Kyles of Bute and enjoy a breakfast with panoramic views.  Today the boat will head for the South Kyle and the scenic village of Tighnabruaich.  It is worth going ashore to look back at the Kyles of Bute and the hills of Arran beyond, but also to explore the village which has an excellent art gallery The ancient oak woodland at Tighnabruaich is a possible choice for a wall with its perfect habitat for all native fauna and flora making is a good place to spot mammals and bird life

After lunch we head for Loch Fyne, the largest sea loch in the British Isles. Tarbert is an idyllic Scottish village on the east shore of Loch Fyne at the top of the Kintyre Peninsula . The houses settle snuggly around Tarbert's welcoming natural harbour, where the fishing catch is still landed on the quay. A trip ashore is recommended for a stroll around the village and perhaps a walk up to the dramatic ruins of Tarbert castle which was extended from an earlier building by Robert the Bruce in 1325

Today we cruise the length of Loch Fyne to Inveraray, enjoying the beautiful scenery with the landscape on either shore mirrored in the smooth surface of the loch.  At the head of Loch Fyne is the village of Inveraray, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, with its classic Scottish Georgian architecture and distinctive white buildings on the loch shore making it very photogenic.  There are a range of historic places to visit including Inveraray castle  and The Bell Tower, which dominates the town, and contains the second-heaviest ring of ten bells in the world. The view from the top of the tower is worth the climb. The Celtic Inveraray Cross can also been seen in the town.  A leisurely cruise down Loch Fyne takes us back to the Kyles of Bute with a different anchorage for the night

The Kyles of Bute are on the edge of the line of total darkness and is one of the most southern places in Europe to experience the stars as you never have before. There is no light pollution as darkness falls around your vessel and the stars are clearly seen.

We cruise the sound of Bute towards the Isle of Arran, the largest island in the Firth of Clyde and the seventh largest Scottish island.   During the Viking Age the island, along with the vast majority of the Scottish islands, became the property of the Norwegian crown.  As a result of this Norse influence, many current place names on Arran are of Viking origin. Arran is mountainous and has been described as a "geologist's paradise".  Robert Bruce landed at Lochranza from Ireland in 1306.  We will anchor off Lochranza and visit the distillery there.  Deer are so common that you may well pass them on the path on the way!
We also visit Brodick Castle and Country Park, seat of the Dukes of Hamilton and built in the 13th century with later additions.  The interior features fine plaster ceilings, furniture, porcelain and paintings.  You can stretch your legs in the grounds which have a formal garden dating from 1710, a Victorian Rose garden and a nature trail. We can also anchor off Holy Island at the tip of Arran and watch for the wild ponies and goats that live there.

The final dinner on board is always a jolly occasion with the crew ensuring it is a very memorable meal and with new friendships formed with your fellow guests on board.

Wake up to the final morning of your cruise to another idyllic anchorage and scenic backdrop to breakfast with your fellow guests.  Your vessel will then head east along the magnificent waters of the Forth of Clyde, hugging the coastline of the Cowal Peninsula.  By 11 am, you will have returned to Holy Loch for disembarking.

If required, your transport to Glasgow airport will await you, or perhaps before you book your travel you should consider staying a little longer in this relatively undiscovered part of the Highlands of Scotland, in particular a trip to nearby Benmore Gardens is highly recommended.

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