The route can run in either direction, so please check the ‘Dates and Prices’ tab for specific information. This is a possible itinerary for the sail from Scotland to the Faroes. What makes expedition sailing so unique, however, is that due to the wind and weather, there can be no fixed itinerary.
The Isle of Mull
The picture-postcard fishing port of Tobermory is a short sail up the Sound of Mull. We need to catch the right tides as they run hard between the mainland and the island, and it’s a stunning stretch of water to navigate. Tobermory has a whiskey distillery open for visitors and several excellent pubs serving seafood and live music. We should have a lovely evening in port if we have made good time.
Small Isles
Just north of Mull, the Small Isles is an undiscovered jewel of the Hebrides, think castles, windswept beaches, rocky inlets, and thousands of seabirds. It is terrific sailing here, and we will also round the Ardnamurchan peninsular of BBC shipping forecast fame.
Loch Scavaig
One of the highlights here is sailing past the Cullin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. If the plan has worked out differently, we might even anchor here. If we do, it’s an extraordinary place to spend an evening listening to the seals, and if the weather’s good, we could even pull on some boots and explore ashore.
Passage to the Faroes
Settling into a watch system, we head north through the Hebridean Sea, past the islets of Sula and Rona, bound for the southernmost island of the Faroes, Suðuroy. You’ll likely be in a watch pattern of three hours on, six hours off, giving you a good rest period each night. There is something unforgettable about being on a yacht charging through the ocean waves as the Sun fades and darkness falls. We’re so far north that it doesn’t get fully dark, and the Sun only sets for a few hours.
Suðuroy
It’s a magical feeling to see Suðuroy rise from the sea. The island is a world apart from the rest of the Faroes, with an easily accessible eastern side and a beaten, beautiful, rugged, unspoiled western side. Get ready for towering heights, breathtaking scenes, deep fjords, and warm and welcoming people. The island is particularly famous for its spellbinding, unbelievably steep bird cliffs.
If time and weather allow, we must try the walk to Hvannhagi from Tvøroyri. It is a steep and narrow path, with breathtaking scenery and Lítla Dímun in the middle of the picture. In the southern part of the island, the hike up to Rávuna is also lovely. It is an easy hike, but not for those afraid of heights since it is along the western edge!
Sandoy and Skúvoy
Set a short way south of Streymoy amidst the grey windswept sea, Sandoy is an island that can be overlooked – but it is a mistake to do so. It is a small island of charming gingerbread villages, glistening lakes, and sprawling black-sand beaches.
Skúvoy, just to the north, is much smaller still. It has wonderful bird life, and you will surely see it. For those willing to hike, iconic views over the vast cliffs and wild Atlantic Ocean exist. If available, we can sometimes hire a guide to open up even more of the island’s treasures.
Hestur
This small island is all about its incredible basalt caves, which we must try and explore if the weather permits. The sea has to be calm and the weather good, but if it is, we have the unique opportunity to enter the Klæmintsgjógv cave, the largest grotto in the world.
Koltur
The least inhabited of all the islands, the extraordinarily shaped Koltur only has two people living on it! It’s a hard place to get to; if the weather is calm, we may be able to.
Torshavn
We finish in Torshavn, the capital of the Faroes and named after the hammer-wielding Norse god of thunder. Surrounded by the old turf-roofed houses of the original parliament, the harbor is a busy fishing port and the heart of the town. It’s a lovely place to end the trip. With its quirky bars and some top-class local restaurants around, we should be able to celebrate the journey’s end in style.
Please note: these are true sailing adventures
These are true sailing adventures that require more than just a presence on board—they demand enthusiasm, teamwork, and a positive spirit from each crew member. To fully embrace and benefit from these experiences, it’s crucial that crew come prepared to contribute actively to the life and tasks on the vessel. Those who step up with the right attitude will find that the rewards are immense. Not only will you gain new skills and face exhilarating challenges, but you’ll also forge deep connections with fellow adventurers and create memories that last a lifetime.
Where are the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands, an archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean, are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Situated about halfway between Norway and Iceland, the islands are known for their rugged, rocky terrain, spectacular cliffs, and subpolar oceanic climate. The archipelago comprises 18 main islands. Historically, the Faroe Islands were settled by Irish monks in about the 6th century, although there is no conclusive evidence of their presence. The first known settlers were Norsemen, who arrived in the 9th century from northern Europe. Faroese belongs to the West Scandinavian group of the North Germanic languages and is closely related to Icelandic and other West Nordic languages. The islands became a part of the Kingdom of Norway in 1035. When Norway entered into a union with Denmark in the 14th century, the Faroe Islands came under Danish control.
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