Arrive Friday evening at Oban. During the first evening you meet the Skipper and get to know your sailing colleagues. Then it’s time for a safety briefing followed by a demonstration of the yacht’s equipment and, if possible, a short practice sail in sheltered waters where the Skipper will show you how to steer the yacht and handle the sails. A home cooked evening meal can be taken before, after (or instead of!) the evening sail. Friday night will probably be spent at a mooring in ObanBay. In the morning, with a fair wind, we will set sail across the Firth of Lorne. The crew’s progress in learning how to handle the yacht, and the wind direction, will decide on Saturday evening’s destination. It would be our intention to sail around the Island of Mull over a 3 day weekend and visit the Islands off the west of Mull like Iona and Staffa. This also applies to whether we stop for lunch or eat while sailing. Our second night will be at a remote anchorage such as Tinker’s Hole or the Island of Ulva. Our third night will probably be spent in Tobermory Bay where we can end up enjoying the local nightlife. Whatever our destinations we will stop in sheltered waters and the yacht’s inflatable tender may be used for excursions ashore. All too soon it will be Monday morning and, with the crew developing confidence in their sailing abilities, passage will be made back to Oban. By early afternoon the yacht will be berthed on the pontoon where after a quick lunch it’s all hands on deck to wash and tidy the yacht before disembarking.

You will have to bring waterproofs (these can also be hired if needed), warm clothes, a hat, sleeping bag, soft soled non-slip shoes and wellington boots.

Cars can be parked at Oban (all car parks now charge). Scotrail run a regular service between Glasgow Queen Street station and Oban.Citylink run 3 express coaches a day from Glasgow and once a day from Edinburgh.

Here at Spice your health, safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance. Whether travelling on holiday or attending Spice weekends away, in the UK or overseas - it is always advisable to have adequate travel insurance in case of emergency, cancellation, etc.

Travel insurance is an important aspect to booking a weekend or holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances that could otherwise spoil your trip. We also strongly encourage the need for a personal travel insurance policy that includes Covid 19 cover.

While we cannot recommend specific insurance policies as everyone’s requirements are personal to them, Spice have linked up with market leader Staysure Travel Insurance which you may like to take a look at.