A voyage to one of Scotland’s forgotten whaling grounds sold out almost immediately after being made available, cruise operators have said.
Hebrides Cruises launched the trip as part of their calendar of excursions for next year, taking tourists to the Rockall Trough north and west of St Kilda.
The operator said that berths on the 10-day sailing, titled ‘In Search of Giants’, sold out within 10 minutes of it going online.
The area is an important migratory corridor for large baleen whales and sperm whales, and the excursion is led by expert guide Dr Conor Ryan - who has conducted important studies on the ecology of whales and the history of whaling in Scotland.
On this year’s inaugural expedition in August, the team conducted 17 cetacean surveys and recorded sightings of 35 groups of common dolphins, 23 groups of harbour porpoises and 10 minke whales, alongside four separate encounters with humpback whales and three fin whales.
The rea was a hunting ground for whalers in the 19th century, who almost drove many large species of whales to extinction.
Since whaling was banned, their numbers have slowly begun to rebound.
The company has taken the step to release their calendar early to ensure guests have an opportunity to plan their next adventure exploring the breathtaking Hebridean seascapes.
Hebrides Cruises offers several sailings, including a popular three-night 'Hebrides Mini Magical Cruise' aboard the company’s newest addition to the fleet, the luxurious Lucy Mary superyacht.
This cruise offers guests the opportunity to soak in the serene beauty of sea lochs castles, and lighthouses, with plentiful wildlife sightings along the way.
Departing from Oban, this cruise offers a taste of adventure with options for shore visits, walks, beach barbecues and swimming trips, 'complemented by the very finest in Scottish hospitality and cuisine.’
Others include visits to Mull, Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles.
"As the demand for unique and immersive wildlife small cruises grows, we are thrilled to offer even more opportunities for guests to explore the remarkable beauty of the Hebrides," said Rob Barlow, owner of Hebrides Cruises.
“Our cruises have traditionally ranged from 6 – 10 nights, however we’ve seen a real demand for shorter cruises which allow travellers to fit in the experiences we offer with other items on their Scotland ‘bucket list’, so we introduced the three night ‘Hebrides Mini Magical Cruise’ this which has proven to be extremely popular.
“Our ‘In Search of Giants’ cruise is the only one of its kind in the UK and a uniquely unforgettable experience, so also sells very quickly.”
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He added: “We added Lucy Mary to our fleet last year, bringing a new level of luxury and comfort for guests to experience while immersing themselves in the stunning land and seascapes of Scotland's west coast.
“As a result, the number of private charter enquiries has also risen which reflects this growing trend for smaller, intimate cruising which is set to continue to make waves in 2025 and 2026.
"Our newly launched 2026 calendar promises exceptional, unforgettable cruises combining luxury, comfort, the very best in Scottish hospitality with adventure and breathtaking encounters with wildlife.”
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