Oban (meaning ‘little bay’ in Gaelic) is a small harbor town on the west coast of Scotland, famous for its whiskey distillery. The town occupies a beautiful setting in the Firth of Lorn, and is a perfect place to find shelter from the Atlantic. Walking around town is a pleasure, and close by you’ll find mountains, castles, dramatic coastal scenery, and McCaig’s tower that resembles the Colosseum. In the first week of August, the town plays host to West Highland week, a yearly sailing regatta.
Programme Outline
Your Journey starts in Oban, where you will embark on the Tall Ship Thalassa for a whisky odyssey through the inner Hebrides and around Kintyre. Together you will enjoy a week of beautiful sailing, nice meals, and of course plenty of whisky from all parts of Scotland. You will visit several distilleries and have whisky tastings where you can enjoy fine single malts, right from the source. The island of Islay is prominent on the itinerary, as it boasts eight distilleries of fine heritage.
Keep an eye out on the water during the sailing crossings, as chances are you will spot spectacular marine life, such as basking sharks. And lend a hand raising and trimming the sails - the Thalassa crew takes their duties seriously, so the engine stays off as much as possible. Working together to run the ship is a bonding experience, and it will lend a new dimension to an already spectacular journey. When you reach the famous Bushmills distillery, you'll be an experienced rope-tugger :)