2-26 Ontdek de Schotse Highlands: Caledonian Canal naar Oban

Explore the lochs of the Scottish Highlands as you sail and journey through the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Oban. This fascinating part of the world is the gateway to the Highlands, where mist-shrouded mountains tumble down to meet the water’s edge. Experience the engineering marvel of Neptune’s Staircase and spend time exploring the walking trails of the Great Glen Way as you travel through the Caledonian Canal.

Steady will spend seven leisurely days sailing past the Great Glen Way and through the famous Caledonian Canal, with plenty of opportunities to explore ashore, walk sections of the Great Glen Way and rejoin the boat later in the day. Below is a rough outline of what to expect; as with all our sailing holidays, the itinerary may change depending on weather and tides.

The voyage begins in the historic city of Inverness, a beautiful Scottish city with many sights to explore. Steady will be moored in the Caledonian Canal at Muirtown Marina. We set sail and cross Loch Ness towards Fort Augustus. This cosy village, with its welcoming pubs, is the number one hotspot for spotting the mythical Loch Ness monster. It will take a few days to work our way down through the Caledonian Canal, with views of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, along the way. At the end of the day, we arrive at Neptune’s Staircase—an impressive series of locks that lowers us a remarkable 19 metres.

As Steady leaves the canal, we will spend the night anchored in Loch a’Choir, located in Loch Linnhe. The surrounding hills invite you to stretch your legs and explore ashore if you wish.

On our final day, we sail to the island of Kerrera. In contrast to the hustle and bustle of nearby Oban, Kerrera is quiet and rural, offering stunning views of the surrounding coastline. Cars are prohibited on the island except for locals, making it a hiker’s paradise. There is plenty of time for an afternoon walk, and in the evening we will enjoy the Captain’s Dinner together.

Sailing vs shore time

Steady aims to strike a balance between sailing in the mornings and exploring ashore in the afternoons. Depending on the weather and the distances involved, some days may include longer hours under sail.

Night watches

Steady does not sail overnight when in Scotland, so there will be no night watches.

Will there be mosquitoes?

Scotland does have midges between June and August. They are mostly active on land, so you are usually well protected while at anchor or on board. We recommend bringing insect repellent if you are prone to bites.

Steady has been sailing in Scotland for over 10 years with the Dutch husband-and-wife team Jan-Willem and Marielle. Their love for Scotland, sailing and the natural world is clear for guests to see, and they are well versed in all the hidden gems and secret spots.

Getting involved

Steady lives up to her name with a simple rig and an easy-to-use winch system, making her a great platform for guests to learn the ropes. Jan-Willem and Marielle can sail Steady comfortably on their own, but they actively invite and encourage guests to take part in all aspects of sailing. From taking the helm and setting the sails to basic navigation and rope work, everything is done in a safe and supportive environment.

A typical day

After a hearty breakfast, the sails are set with the aim (weather permitting, of course) to sail for 4 to 7 hours. A secluded anchorage is then found, away from the tourist hustle and bustle, to settle in for the night. Lunch is served either under sail or at anchor, freshly prepared by Jan-Willem and Marielle in the spacious galley.

In the afternoon there is time to explore ashore before enjoying a delicious freshly prepared dinner on board, sharing sea-faring stories and stargazing from the deck.

Sleeping and relaxation

The main deck is well designed with plenty of open space and a cockpit ideal for alfresco dining. The covered deckhouse features 360-degree windows, perfect for morning coffee while watching the sunrise or for shelter when the Scottish weather changes.

Below deck you will find a beautifully appointed galley and a generous, comfortable saloon, recently refitted to a high standard. Forward along a small corridor are four well-designed twin bunk cabins, with a toilet and a separate shower for guests. The crew quarters are located in the stern.

What’s included

As with all Steady sailing holidays, your ticket price includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and hot drinks. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages can be purchased on board. Single occupancy is available with a 50% surcharge. All cabins are provided with bedding and towels. There is a suggested age limit on Steady’s trips; if you are over 75 years old and interested in sailing with Steady, please contact our office.

Guest berths: 8   Rig: Staysail Ketch

Onboard Steady, most guests like to lend a hand with the sailing, and Jan-Willem and Mariëlle are excellent guides if you do want to get involved. They cater for all abilities and ages, so if you’d rather sit back and relax with a book, then that’s fine too. She has a modern rig and a simple winch system, so she is a great boat to learn the ropes.

Steady’s voyages explore the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides and St Kilda; an area of unspoilt wilderness and breathtaking beauty in the Western Isles of Scotland. Her sailing adventures give you access to the most captivating and remote hidden secrets of this incredible place. As you sail through this stunning marine landscape, you may be lucky enough to encounter rare wildlife up close and have time to soak up the unique history and culture of the Hebrides and St Kilda.

Steady is true to her name, with a sturdy steel hull, and was initially built as a charter vessel, offering a considered layout below decks. Fitted with all the mod-cons and keeping guests’ comfort at the forefront, she sleeps eight guests in four comfortable twin cabins, with a shared shower and a separate toilet. The galley and saloon sit at the heart of the boat, featuring a peninsula galley and plenty of seating alongside the cosy multi-fuel stove.

On deck, there’s a spacious cockpit with a navigation station and additional seating—perfect for breakfast and morning coffee as the sun rises. There’s plenty of room on deck too, to take in the surrounding views and learn the ropes alongside Jan-Willem and Mariëlle, who love sharing their passion for Scotland, the environment and nature with their guests.

Deck plan

• All meals are included in the price (breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets and duvet) and a wash towel
• Full crew plus tuition
• Walking guides
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and from the boat
• Lifejacket
• Musto sailing waterproof suits whilst on board (standard sizing)

What’s not included

• Alcohol and soft drinks
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining and leaving
• Travel insurance
• Sailing insurance (please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has appropriate personal accident travel insurance while on board, in addition to standard travel insurance that covers the period between booking and departure. These policies can sometimes be combined, so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance Guidelines page.

Steady has limited space for personal belongings, so please be considerate and travel as light as possible. There is no storage for rigid cases; please bring your items in a soft bag.

We recommend travelling light with plenty of lightweight, quick-drying layers. Below is a list of suggested items. These are not mandatory, and those with sailing experience may have their own preferences.

• Fingerless gloves for hoisting sails (sailing or cycling gloves work best)
• Walking boots or shoes for onshore use, plus light shoes or trainers with good grip
• Wash towel – microfibre is lightweight and quick-drying
• Swimsuit and swim towel
• Lightweight, quick-dry clothing (base layers, fleece and synthetic tops)

It can be several degrees colder out at sea, so please bring plenty of layers even if the forecast suggests a warm week.

• Warm, windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers (some offshore MUSTO waterproof sailing jackets and trousers are available for guest use on board; these must remain on the boat and availability is limited, so please let us know if required)
• Waterproof boots or clean Wellington boots
• Sun cream (please use reef-safe, eco-friendly products where possible)
• Smidge insect repellent
• Sunglasses and a warm hat or cap
• Small personal first aid kit and any medication you may need
• Camera and/or binoculars
• Refillable water bottle
• Personal wash kit (please use reef-safe, eco-friendly products where possible)
• Charging cables for personal devices (12V USB sockets are available on board)
• A good book to read
• We recommend sleep masks and/or earplugs