Hjalmar Bjorge has a cameo
Guess who we just spotted in the background on the STV News tonight. Yes that’s the Hjalmar Bjorge which is in Stornoway at the moment finishing her winter maintenance. She will be on her way back south to Oban soon ready for the new season.
So our 2023 cruising season is officially over for another year after the end of our West Coast Wildlife Adventure that ended on Monday led by guest guide Nick Baker.
Thank you to all of you who cruised with us on the Hjalmar Bjørge this year and also to all of you who followed our adventures and commented here on social media too. She is now up in Stornoway where she will stay for the winter for her annual maintenance.
We can't wait to get back out to sea in 2024 for a very busy but quite different looking season. We are booking now and already have two full itineraries so please don't wait to book your places to join us.
Wild Scotland VisitScotland Wonder Seekers Green Tourism #hjalmarbjorge #scottishcruise
Northern Bottlenose Whales in Loch Sunart - Hjalmar Bjørge August 2023
Our guests cruising on board the Hjalmar Bjørge this August were treated to the relatively rare sight of a pod of Northern Bottlenose Whales (the largest beaked whale species in the North Atlantic) in Loch Sunart on the west coast of the Highlands. This long sea loch separates the remote Ardnamurchan and Morvern peninsulas. Please enjoy this brief view. #hjalmarbjorge #whales Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust Wild Scotland Whale and Dolphin Conservation hebrideanwhaletrail NatureScot
Our next lovely group of guests were picked up from the pontoon at Ullapool yesterday and ferried out to the waiting Hjalmar Bjorge by skipper Charlie and steward Mel. They are ultimately bound for the Shetlands via Fair Isle once the weather front moves through this weekend. Bon voyages and good sightings!
Wild Scotland Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust #hebrideanadventures #shetland
Sula Sgeir aboard the Hjalmar Bjørge
Our very popular annual cruise to Sula Sgeir and North Rona is half-way through now and we were so pleased to see that they made it the 40 miles north of Lewis yesterday to reach these remote islands. What a thrill to be able to view places like this that not many others will ever see. It is certainly a privilege we don't take lightly and enjoy helping our guests achieve this too. As you can hear the seabirds are in full flow now with gannets, kittiwakes, razorbills, and others all busily tending eggs or young now.
Hjalmar Bjørge is now cruising down the west coast of Lewis on it's way back south with more adventures to come for our guests along the way.
Please come and join us next year in July for this very special cruise. Contact us now to reserve your places as they book up quickly.
Otterly fabulous!
It's not just golden eagles that Irene Boston has been spotting on Mull. Check out her video of an otter she was watching along the shoreline recently as well just going about its daily business.
We often spot otters along the coast both from our boats and on shore excursions and even harbour visits sometimes. They never disappoint and we know they are one of your favourite animals as guests on board as well. Why not join us this year for a cruise around the beautiful Hebridean Islands and come see if you can spot one with us. 🦦
#otter #WildIsles Visit Mull and Iona Wild Scotland VisitScotland
Golden eagle on Mull
Our regular guest and serial wildlife watcher Irene Boston sent us this recent video of a beautiful golden eagle soaring over the Isle of Mull. You may have seen the footage of them on BBC 1's Wild Isles series, but there is not much better than seeing one for yourself out in the wild in Scotland like this.
Many of our guests get their very first sightings of golden and white-tailed eagles with us on our cruises - maybe you will too!
#goldeneagle #WildIsles Visit Mull and Iona This Is Scotland
Panoramic video of Loch Spelve on the Isle of Mull
Many of our past guests will recognise this beautiful view of Loch Spelve on the south coast of Mull. It is a regular overnight anchorage for us as we come and go from our main port of Oban. The warm evening light bathes the surrounding hills while we watch out for white-tailed and golden eagles which both live around here, as well as otters and red deer on the hills.
And relax ...............
Why not join us on one of our island-hopping adventure cruises this year and get some of this for yourself - you derserve it!
MV Hjalmar Bjorge at Tobermory harbour, Isle of Mull
The start of our season is creeping closer in April and so we thought we’d share this little video of visiting one of our favourite places, the beautiful Tobermory harbour on Mull. If you woud like to join us this year just visit the website and choose your cruise today!
Isle of Mull, SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor, VisitScotland, #scotlandisnow, #scotlandexplore, #scotlandiscalling, Visit Mull and Iona,
Otter getting comfy in Scotland
Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can't get comfy!
Thanks to regular guest Irene Boston for this lovely otter video to share with you all. Don't forget to check out our cruises on the website and join us for your own wildlife encounters like this in the Hebrides and beyond - they really are magical.
Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Wildlife Trust - Living Seas, RSPB Scotland, NatureScot, #otter
With all the snow about up here in Scotland again we thought we'd remind you of what it looks like in the summer around the wonderful Hebridean islands that we visit (this is the lovely Mingulay - make sure it is playing in HD mode!).
Don't miss out! Please book your cruise on the Hjalmar Bjørge with us for your holidays today and picture yourself here surrounded by eagles, seals, whales, dolphins and these amazing views and deserted beaches where you can walk all alone! :-D
Scotland is Now, #scotlandisnow, West Coast Waters, Outer Hebrides, #visitouterhebrides, SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor, #fortheloveofnature
Young gannet gets a lift
This juvenile gannet just seemed to want a lift during a recent cruise near Mull and presumably was just needing a rest and sat on the top deck of the Hjalmar Bjørge for a couple of hours. Once it had finished its preening and got its breath back you will be glad to know it took off again under its own steam with no signs of ill health.
A calm but overcast morning in Tobermory. We have a couple of hours to explore and then it’s off to Loch Sunart.
Visit Mull and Iona, VisitScotland, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
As if the Humpback encounter wasn't enough, yesterday Hjalmar Bjorge was accompanied by white beaked dolphins while heading to the Flannans. Thanks to chef Steve for this video!
