Loch Shiel Cruises

23/10/2024

Thanks to Jim Michie for showing us this post which has our lovely M.V. Sileas featured in it. Amazing to see her hauled out in Kyle of Lochalsh Boatyard in the 60s.

Jim tirelessly restored her after purchasing her in 1996 as she had retired from working alongside Turus Mara. Jim worked incredibly hard and managed to move her from the sea by road to give her a new mission on Loch Shiel.

After the mid 60s MacLean and MacRae operated the boat after she retired from Admiralty Service (named Vital Spark at this time) under contract to David MacBrayne, plying mainly between Kyle of Lochalsh and Toscaig. This was a daily service carrying mail and passengers and ran for close on twenty years until being sold in 1987 to MacNab MacKenzie who operated it as one of several pleasure-boats from Ullapool to the Summer Isles. ��Three years later the boat was sold to Iain Morrison of the Isle of Mull who operated the boat between Ulva Ferry and Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles from 1990 until October 1994. ��Vital Spark was then taken off service and lay in a sheltered bay at Croig near Dervaig in Mull until December 1996 when the boat was bought by Jim Michie.

She continues to be a labour of love for Aly Monsef but with such a remarkable and important history of transporting people and goods she deserves to be preserved and looked after.

Gàrradh-bhataichean Chaol Loch Aillse, 1960an
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Kyle of Lochalsh Boatyard, 1960s



[photo: William J. Ramsay; source: Skye & Archive Centre]

13/10/2024

Yesterday was a beautiful finale for the 2024 season, cold with occasional showers but autumn wildlife in abundance: red deer, tufted duck, geese, swans, the golden eagles swooping high and one sitting on the ridge, the mighty White Tailed Sea Eagles were not shy at all, with 4 adults and 2 juveniles seen. Then for the second week a visitor I am more used to seeing in Egypt; The Great White Egret…. RSPB state that 2024 is the first season when these have successfully bred in Scotland so fingers crossed Loch Shiel is a new nesting site for 2025. We look forward to seeing you all in 2025, thank you for all of your support this season. Bookings are live for 2025!

10/10/2024

Another beautiful trip from Glenfinnan to Acharacle Yesterday. Thank you so much to all our guests joining us . I hope you enjoy the day out.

-photography

05/10/2024

Autumn is a spectacular time on Loch Shiel. M.V Sileas is often found sitting in a steam bath in the early hours as the warmer water meets the cold autumnal air. A mystical and magical time. Last week of trips, Aly’s birthday tomorrow too so join us for a little journey and a bit of birthday cake on Glenaladale at 1040 or Gaskan at 1400.

04/10/2024

An array of wildlife on the loch yesterday with a glorious autumn day to enjoy it. Also fun to have a “Viking” cruise with the P1-P4 kids from at lunch time out to the Green Isle and back. Just one last public full loch cruise available on Wednesday 9th October if anyone wants to join us before we close for 2024.

02/10/2024

So pleased to be back on the loch for a private charter today after a nightmare two weeks of being out of operation thanks to Royal Mail losing an essential engine part which was sent special delivery and is still missing! Huge thanks to Marine Enterprises Ltd for finding us a new part, massive thanks to James Maclellan for fitting it and modifying and also big thanks to our lad Momen Monsef for sitting on a train for 26 hours on Monday/Tuesday to get the part to us same day delivery and get the boat back in operation. So sorry to all of you who missed out on your trips, it’s been a brutal couple of weeks in the most extraordinary autumn weather. Anyway with only 10 days left to the end of the season it’s busy busy and your last chance to join us in 2024.

05/09/2024

Another adventure up close with the White-tailed on the full loch cruise yesterday. Thank you so much to all our guests joining us .
Nikon D800 & P1000 🦅

03/09/2024

The afternoon cruise to Gaskan today, what a surprise 📸

02/09/2024

Even the local wizards of Hogwarts are wondering what happened to summer? Maybe if you join us this week it will bring a little magic back to Loch Shiel …. 🪄 ✨

28/08/2024

Good evening everyone. Some pictures from the loch yesterday .
Thank you so much to all our guests joining us on Gaskan cruise , What a cracking afternoon , Playing in the rain ☔️

24/08/2024

View from the loch today 📸

23/08/2024

Good evening everyone. Some pictures from the loch today.
Thank you so much to all our guests joining us today on Gaskan cruise

23/08/2024

Its been a wild week on the loch, not what we expected for August. The good news is its slightly less choppy today and tomorrow is looking promising for a dry start. We have lots of availability on the Full Loch Cruise tomorrow. Do join us if you want a chance to see the spectacular White Tailed Eagles. They don't care if it rains and offer some amazing sights as they glide in the wind too. You also get the chance to explore Acharacle for an hour or so and grab some lunch.

16/08/2024

Will you be joining us tomorrow for the Glenfinnan Highland Games cruise from Acharacle to Glenfinnan dept at 1030? Return cruise is at 5pm to get back to Acharacle for 7.30pm. We have plenty of space this year, so please help us fill it as we would hate this annual tradition to fade away Just £35 return or £22 one way. Kids half price.

15/08/2024

Good morning everyone , another amazing adventure up close with the White-tailed eagle yesterday . Thank you so much to all the guests on board .
Nikon D800 & P1000 🦅

11/08/2024

Loch Shiel Cruises will be running the Games Cruise from Acharacle dept 1030 Saturday, for arrival at Glenfinnan at 1300. We will depart Glenfinnan at 1700 for arrival back to Acharacle at 1930. Always a busy one so please book with us as we don’t want to disappoint anyone at the pier. Thanks

Just one week to go until The Glenfinnan Games 2024 on the 17th August. Gates open at 10:30am and The March starts at 11:30am. Entry is £10 per person, £5 child/concession. All proceeds go to funding Glenfinnan Games 2025.
Come along. There is something for everyone - piping, dancing, heavy and field events, children’s games, bouncy castle, and the famous tea tent, stocked and run by the ladies of the village.
Stalls
Clan Cameron
The Grill Father
Network Rail
Clan Donald
Heather Campbell & Debs MacDonald
National Trust for Scotland
Clog and Craft Shop
Jahama Estates
Royal Oak Society
Diane’s Wee Darlings
Midas Jewellery
The Stage Group-Beer tent and food.
Fassfern Gin
Monikie Rock Art
Victoria Gordon Art
Glenfinnan Candles
The MOWI Salmon Wagon
West Highland Museum
Great Glen Charcuterie
Mulligan’s Ices
Yaldi Tours



Sponsors
Many thanks to all our sponsors for their generosity in supporting our Games.
Fassfern Highland Gin, Roslin Distillers Ltd, Leiths Group, The Highland Society of London, Re-Max Scotland, Glenfiddich, Manson & MacBeath, Bowman’s Skip Hire, Comms West, MOWI, Glenfiddich, The Celtic Society, Ferguson Transport & Shipping, Highland Soap, Network Rail and Amco Giffen, Off-Beat Bikes, Gordon George Construction, MacPhee & Partners, Lochaber Larder, Letterfinlay Foods, Ben Nevis Distillery.