As you cross the Minch on our way to The Western Isles on the edge of the Atlantic. Also known as the Outer Hebrides. You may see Basking Sharks and Minke Whales, even sightings of Humpback and Killer Whales have been made in the area. Puffins bob about as we near the Islands and you may see an Eagle as we come into anchor.

Barra in the South is a good place to explore, with its sheltered harbour and sandy beaches. From here if the weather is good we can sail South to Mingulay, home to nesting colonies of Guillemot and Kittiwake, and an unspoilt beach.

North takes us to Eriskay, famous for Whiskey Galore, the film of the "Am Politician" wreck. It is small enough to explore on foot in a few hours.

South Uist has been inhabited for thousands of years and contains many archeological sites, Loch Boisdale is the largest place you visit before heading North again  perhaps to anchor at the evocatively named Wizard Pool. Here the mountains come down to the sea and seem to wrap you in their heather clad slopes.

In Loch Maddy on North Uist you will find a cultural centre offering locally made art work and crafts. The coast here is a thousand lochs and lochans renowned for the trout fishing.

On the Southern end of Harris is Rodal with a church of historic interest. Also on Harris is fishing harbour of Tarbert, named by the vikings as a place where they could haul their long boats across land into the Atlantic.  The rugged East coast became settled during the Clearances when the population were moved from the fertile West Coast. The Golden Road around the coast was named for its' great expense. 

Lewis is the most populated island, with the burgh town of Stornoway the capital of the Western Isles. From here Callanish Stone circle is the highlight of the Island with an interpretive centre, well worth a visit.

The Butt of Lewis is the most Northerly point of the Isles and here a lighthouse stands above the sea stacks,and cliffs.

On the way home we try to visit the Shiant Islands famous for the huge colonies of sea birds, basaltic columns rising 500' above the sea and by the tales of the Blue Men of the Minch.

After this there may even be time for a viist to the Talisker distillery on Skye, before we head back to Arisaig.