D Butt of Lewis
FLANNAN ISLES
Tarbert
ST KILDA Hirta
HARRIS
Lochmaddy SOUTH UIST
Lochboisdale
Pobull Fhinn Barpa Langass
RUM MUCK
Tobermory Mull Eagle Watch
MULL
LUNGA IONA
Iona Abbey Craignure OBAN
Balranald Bird Reserve
LEWIS
SHIANT ISLES
SKYE
HANDA ISLAND
Wildlife Reserve
Oban - Oban The Wildlife of St Kilda
Tuesday 28th May to Tuesday 4th June 2019 7 nights including 2 Gala Dinners
As the remotest part of the British Isles, the double UNESCO World Heritage Site of St Kilda forms the most important seabird breeding site in northwest Europe. With cliffs, sea stacs and grassy slopes, the islands are ideally suited to nesting birds like gannet, puffin, kittiwake, fulmar, razorbill and guillemot.
Boarding a local boat at the Treshnish Isle of Lunga, we admire the colourful puffin population or explore the ancient Benedictine abbey on the holy isle of Iona.
Arriving at South Uist, we go in search of birds of prey and learn of the work undertaken at the Balranald RSPB reserve, home to corncrake. Alternatively, a tour of the Uists takes us to the prehistoric stone circle of Pobull Fhinn and the Neolithic cairn of Barpa Langass.
A cruise of the Sound of Harris leads us to the 640 feet tall Stac an Armin and onwards to Hirta, the largest island of the St. Kilda archipelago. Here we explore one of the remotest parts of the British Isles ahead of steaming past the Flannan Isles.
Cruising the dramatic sea cliffs of Handa Island, we land ashore and venture to the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve renowned for guillemots, razorbills and great skua.
Before making a beach landing on the Shiant Isles, we search for eagles on the island of Harris. Alternatively, you may prefer to embark on an island tour.
Returning over The Minch, we head for Skye to observe birdlife and grey seals, before visiting the Mull Eagle Watch or exploring the colourful Georgian capital of Tobermory.
Travel Plan – 7 nights
Tuesday 28th May Oban - Embarkation. Wednesday 29th May
Lunga or Iona - Puffins/Iona Abbey. Cruise the Sea of the Hebrides.
Thursday 30th May Lochboisdale - tour of the Uists including Pobull Fhinn and Barpa Langass. Lochmaddy - Balranald RSPB reserve.
Friday 31st May St Kilda - Cruise stacs land on Hirta. Cruise by Flannan Isles.
Saturday 1st June Handa - seabird cliffs. Cruise the Minch.
Sunday 2nd June Tarbert, Harris - Eagle spotting /Island tour. Shiants - Beach landing.
Monday 3rd June Cruise West coast of Skye and Small Isles. Tobermory - Mull Eagle watch/free time.
Tuesday 4th June Oban - Disembarkation.
Puffin, Lunga
Wildlife Guide David Sexton
David Sexton works for the RSPB on the Isle of Mull. He was previously Head of RSPB’s Land Management Department in Edinburgh and now as Mull Officer he is responsible for monitoring the important populations of white-tailed and golden eagles and overseeing the award-winning public viewing project Mull Eagle Watch. He is the author of ‘Birdwatching on Mull & Iona’ and lives on Mull with his wife, two teenage daughters and black Labrador Cally.
Wildlife Guide Darren Rees
Seabird Cliffs, St Kilda 44 Please refer to the 2019 Cruise Diary and Tariff for prices • Hebridean Island Cruises 01756 704704 •
www.hebridean.co.uk
Darren Rees has been painting and showing people wildlife for over 30 years and is one of the UK's most respected nature artists, as well as an experienced naturalist guide. His work has attracted many awards including BirdWatch Artist of the Year, Natural World Fine Art Award, RSPB Fine Art Award and a winner in the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year. His first solo book Bird Impressions was also short-listed in the Natural History Book of the Year Award.
Please refer to the 2019 Cruise Diary and Tariff for prices • Hebridean Island Cruises 01756 704704 •
www.hebridean.co.uk 45
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