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Sailing

West Coast of the UK

Next Trip: 27th - 6th May 2024 Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

From £1,495 View Prices & Dates

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Trip created by Matt Loveland
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Region: Multi-Location
Trip Type: Sailing
Accommodation: Basic
Max Group Size: 8
Confirmed: When 4 Traveller(s) Book
Deposit From: £373.75 £373.75

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All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

Download Itinerary

Far-flung islands scattered like jewels. Ancient ruins, half-buried in the earth. Great swathes of golden sand, billowing sails and the boundless wilderness of the Irish Sea. Join the small crew of Eda Frandsen, a 75-year-old beautifully restored gaff cutter, for an adventure from southern England to the Western Isles of Scotland.

Discover coastline only accessible by boat, exploring remote islands, hidden coves, rocky inlets and wind-swept beaches. Venture ashore to stroll along towering cliffs, walking in the footsteps of Vikings and observing a rich diversity of wildlife. Climb back on board and experience sailing in inky darkness, spending nights at sea under a star-strewn sky.

As you travel up the bewitching Celtic Coast, immerse yourself in life on board, learning traditional seafaring skills. Actively participate in steering Eda, navigating, analysing the weather and being part of the watchkeeping rota. Enjoy abundant fresh seafood such as wild langoustines, mackerel and scallops during your voyage.

It is also valuable to note that a trip on Eda Frandsen is a sailing adventure rather than a cruise. As such, there is no fixed itinerary, as we choose to sail where the wind blows. Further, while Eda is perfectly organised, it is important to be aware that space is naturally limited. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Please note that the April 2024 departure runs from England to Scotland, and the September 2024 departure runs the opposite way – from Scotland to England. The itinerary below is displayed as the England to Scotland trip, the September departure will simply reverse this. Please see the travel section for meeting locations and timings.

Trip Highlights

  • Experience sailing under the stars in the twinkling darkness of the Irish Sea.
  • Hike the beautiful shores of uninhabited and remote islands, spotting coastal plants, birds and wildlife.
  • Wild swim from the deck of Eda, exploring turquoise depths and hidden coves.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - All Aboard

Begin your trip in Falmouth, Cornwall. A port rich in maritime history and busy with fishing boats, it’s the perfect place to board the captivating Eda Frandsen. Meet your crew before setting sail out of the natural harbour. Discuss the adventure ahead and settle in as the beautiful coastline unfurls in front of you. (D)

Please note: this itinerary is for the April 2024 departure. The September 2024 departure will reverse this, meeting in Oban and finishing in Falmouth.

Day 2 - Isles of Scilly

Spend today exploring the outstanding beauty of the Isles of Scilly. Admire the granite stacks of Shipman Head, visit the powdery white sands of Rushy Bay and discover the ancient fields hidden by the tides on Samson Island. With only 5 out of the roughly 140 islands inhabited, myth and history run deep here, with many of the islands’ names – Hangman’s Island, Hunter’s Lump and Great Arthur – harking back to days gone by. After a day spent sailing, swimming and exploring, spend the evening under the stars, enjoying fresh mackerel, sourdough and the gentle sound of the sea. (B, L, D)

Day 3 to Day 8 - Explore the Celtic Coast

The real adventure begins as you chase the good weather and ride the favourable winds to make your way up the west coast of the UK. Soak up the crisp, salty air and watch for playful sea life as you explore areas only seen from the ocean. Step onto dry land to experience some of the country’s most isolated locations, the true wilderness of rugged coastlines and hidden bays. Possible stops include Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the southern Hebrides in Scotland. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - The Isle of Jura

Sip hot coffee as you watch gannets dive below the surface in the peaceful stillness of a salty morning. After breakfast, sail to the wild isle of Jura, known for its rugged mountains, smooth whisky, and red deer. With only one main road, swathes of the island are barely touched by man; which makes for a beautiful and exhilarating place to explore. Also home to George Orwell back in the late 1940s, the great author came here to complete his famous dystopian novel, 1984. Wander ashore to roam through the bracken, bog-cotton and foxgloves, unearthing the rich history of the island. This evening, gather on deck to eat, drink and be merry, as the sum shimmers over its borders and into the darkening sea. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - All Ashore

After a morning swim, sail through the North Channel and around the Mull of Kintyre, passing the Corryvrecken Whirlpool and through the Dorus Mor tidal eddies before bringing your adventure to a close by arriving in the seaside town of Oban. Say goodbye to your crew this morning and the beautiful Eda Frandsen as you shake off your sea legs and head ashore towards home or your next adventure. (B)

Please note: this itinerary is for the April 2024 departure. The September 2024 departure will reverse this, meeting in Oban and finishing in Falmouth.

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Sailing
West Coast of the UK

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Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Dates for 2024AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
27th Apr - 6th May 20247 place(s) leftUNCONFIRMED£1,495Book Now
14th Sep - 23rd Sep 20244 place(s) leftCONFIRMED£1,495Book Now

Trip Details

Accommodation Read More

Eda Frandsen is a beautifully restored 75-year-old Gaff Cutter. The rig is entirely traditional, showing incredible workmanship. Down below, she is comfortable and well-equipped, but naturally, personal space is limited. There is a homely saloon and four cabins with twin berths in a bunk arrangement. The cabins are separated from the saloon by privacy curtains, with each berth having its own locker storage. Please ensure that you bring your personal belongings in a soft holdall that can be compressed to fit into the locker. There are two bathrooms, including one with a shower.

Meals Read More

The food on Eda Frandsen is guaranteed to be a real highlight of the trip. Incredibly fresh, wholesome and creative, the meals are created with sustainable local produce. With the sea air sure to whip up an appetite, you can be certain to be incredibly well looked after while on board.

Special Dietary Requirements

Due to the small size of the galley and the restrictions that come with being at sea, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate as wide a range of dietary requirements as we would like on this trip. Therefore, if you have any dietary requests, please check in with us before booking. If we are not made aware of your requirements before booking, we may be unable to cater for them. Unfortunately, we’re not able to accommodate nut allergies on our sailing trips.

Inclusions Read More
  • 9 nights accommodation on the traditional sailing yacht Eda Frandsen.
  • All meals during the trip (Meals indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
  • All specialist group sailing equipment.
Trip Grading Read More

Blue Graded 4-6

This trip is suitable for people with no previous sailing experience; however, a keen interest in seafaring and sailing is advisable to get the most out of your holiday.

Due to the traditional nature of Eda Frandsen, time spent aboard is a hands-on experience. For example, as there are no winches on board, you will be asked to help hoist the sails which is enjoyable and satisfying but can also be challenging.

Because of the extended nature of this offshore voyage, you will also be encouraged to actively participate in the watch-keeping program, with some nights potentially being spent at sea. As you would expect, the areas below the deck are compact and functional, meaning that space is naturally restricted. Therefore, it is important that you feel comfortable with having limited personal space while aboard.

Travel Read More

27th Apr – 6th May 2024
The trip begins in Falmouth, Cornwall, at 3:00pm on Day 1. Please make your way to the entrance to the Falmouth Yacht Haven Marina, which is situated behind the Chainlocker pub, on Quay Hill. The marina entrance is on the left-hand side at the bottom of Quay hill, please wait at the top of the walkway down to the gate and one of the crew will come and meet you.
The trip will end in Oban, Argyll and Bute at 9.00am on Day 10.

14th Sept – 23rd Sep 2024
The trip begins in Oban, Argyll and Bute at 3:00pm on Day 1. Please make your way to the entrance to the North pier marina where you’ll be met by the crew. From the train or bus stations head around the waterfront keeping the sea on your left hand side, Eda will be berthed on the pontoons at the North pier which can be found in front of the Tourist information centre.
The trip will end in Falmouth, Cornwall at 9.00am on Day 10.

Photo Gallery

Make This Trip Private

Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

Speak to an Expert

Jane Gillies

Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of England. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

Ask Jane a Question

Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded Sailing Holidays

These trips are suitable for people with no previous sailing experience; however, a keen interest in seafaring and sailing is advisable to get the most out of your holiday.

Due to the traditional nature of Eda Frandsen, time spent aboard is a hands-on experience. For example, as there are no winches on board, you will be asked to help hoist the sails u2013 which is enjoyable and satisfying but can also be challenging.

As you would expect, the areas below deck are compact and functional, meaning that space is naturally restricted. Therefore, it is important that you feel comfortable with having limited personal space while aboard.

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