More Inner Hebrides From Majestic LIne

The innovative Argyll cruise company, The Majestic Line, is increasing its small boat cruises to the Inner Hebrides as a result of popular demand. Past guests have shown a strong preference for this area of unspoilt natural beauty, rich in history, culture and wildlife, and demand is continuing to grow. The family-run company, now in its eighth operating season, has so far escaped the effects of the economic downturn, despite being an exclusive holiday choice aimed at the higher end of the market. However, the company is very aware that times are getting tough in the tourism industry and is not complacent. They have recently streamlined the business to make savings to ensure no price increase for their cruises in 2013. This strategy also included moving the Sales Team from Edinburgh to join the Operations Team in Holy Loch Marina in Argyll, which will allow closer communication with guests and support for the new cruises to the Inner Hebrides. For bookings, follow this link the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Majestic Line Announces Four New Cruises

The specialist Scottish cruise company, The Majestic Line, has launched four one-off cruises for the 2012 season to tie in with highlights of Argyll and provide an exclusive experience for guests.

Majestic is one of the world's smallest sea cruising companies, sailing the Argyll Coastline on the West Coast of Scotland, with 11 guests on board each of their two vessels. The new one-date-only 6-night cruises take in unique happenings such as Highland Games and Food Festivals, as well as exploring the Heritage Icons of the area:

Taste of Arran and Argyll 6-night cruise visits the Tarbert Seafood Festival in Loch Fyne departing July 7.

Taste of Argyll Speciality Food 6-night cruise visits the eatBute Food Festival at Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute, departing September 8.

Cowal Games, Arran and the Kyles of Bute 6-night cruise visiting the world famous Cowal Gathering in Dunoon, departing August 24.

Hidden Heritage of Argyll 6-night cruise departing August 11 to island-hop to the historic icons of Argyll.

For booking details, be sure to check with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd, on 0800 008 6677.

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Late Season Discounts With Majestic Line

The Majestic Line have introduced a new 3-night “Taste of Autumn in Argyll” cruise due to popular demand as their two 6-night cruises both have sold out for October.

This can be a fabulous month to cruise in and especially this cruise, as anchorages are chosen for their autumn colours and the best opportunities for spotting wildlife such as red squirrels and deer. Guests will also have the pleasure of sampling seasonal local produce such as venison from the hills, free range pork and beef and shellfish caught locally.

The other new cruise this season that the company have introduced is an "Inlets and Islands of Wild Argyll" 6-night voyage with an itinerary chosen for its beauty, tranquility, natural environment and wildlife. There is such a wide selection of stopovers that each cruise itinerary will be unique, depending on guests’ preferences and the local weather and tide conditions.

The options include many picturesque sea lochs and the Islands of Bute, Arran and Cumbrae, with interesting shore walks on offer each day. Kintyre and Ailsa Craig are also within reach but more weather dependent. “Inlets and Islands of Wild Argyll” departs from Holy Loch once a month from April to September 2012 and is proving a popular choice with August and April already booked out.

Majestic are currently offering a 20% late availability discount for all remaining October cruises. We want people to treat themselves to a last-minute opportunity for an idyllic escape and some pampering before winter sets in!

For more info, visit www.themajesticline.co.uk or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Majestic Line's 'Wild' New Itinerary

Boutique Scottish cruise operator The Majestic Line has launched a new “wild” itinerary for 2011, responding to customer requests for a more remote experience: Inlets and Islands of Wild Argyll, a 6-night cruise from Holy Loch, sailing on August 13 and 27 and September 3.

Majestic is one of the world’s smallest sea-cruising companies, with only two vessels sailing the Argyll coastline on the West Coast of Scotland, each carrying 11 guests on board. With their seventh season approaching, more than half the guests are repeat customers, hence the company is keen to provide exclusive new experiences to keep tempting previous guests back on board.

Every night, the boats anchor in secluded bays where sun-downer drinks will be served on the outside stern deck to a sunset over the hills and sea, prior to being served a sumptuous dinner from a menu sourced locally from the sea and land.

The latest itinerary has been chosen for its beauty, tranquility, natural environment and wildlife and the opportunity to go ashore for a walk or visit a remote historical monument. There is a choice of many delightful stopovers and anchorages, but the decision on which to visit will depend on wind direction and tide and will be at the discretion of the skipper. Kintyre and Ailsa Craig are the most weather dependent. The cruising area is also rich in wildlife and the stopovers will visit places where it is most likely to be seen, but for obvious reasons they cannot guarantee particular sightings.

For more info, visit http://www.themajesticline.co.uk/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Single Travellers Cruise With No Supplement

The award winning specialist Scottish cruise company, The Majestic Line, has a policy of providing two double cabins on each cruise for single travellers at no supplement. The Majestic Line is one of the smallest sea cruising companies with two vessels each carrying only 11 guests around the beautiful coastline of Argyll on the West Coast of Scotland. The "house party" atmosphere which is created on board due to the small numbers of guests and attentiveness of the crew is perfect for guests travelling alone as they very much feel part of the group and can enjoy a truly social experience.

Marie Thoms, Majestic Line Sales Manager said "The Majestic Line is owned and run by family and friends and we can therefore decide to have such a generous policy for single travellers. Everyone in the company loves to see people enjoying themselves and we don't think that single travellers should be penalised financially. Our 2011 cruises are very well booked up but we still have eleven cruises with spaces for single travellers and we want to make sure these are taken up"

Marie also feels that the location of the cruises is ideal for people who might not be confident travelling on their own but want to experience the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. "Our Holy Loch departures are only one hour from Glasgow Airport. We can pick guests up from the airport and have them onboard our vessel "The Glen Massan", sipping bubbly and soaking in the scenery, with no travel concerns at all.

There are cabins for single travellers on both 3-night and 6-night cruises available. People looking for a single place on a Majestic Line cruise should go online to the website for available dates. www.themajesticline.co.uk/single_travellers.html

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A Stowaway On The Majestic Line

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Guests on the Heritage and Wildlife of South Argyll cruise with specialist Scottish cruise operators The Majestic Line got more than they bargained for during their 6-night cruise – a sneaky wee stowaway in the form of a red squirrel. The uninvited guest joined the cruise whilst their vessel, the Glen Massan, was anchored for the night in a secluded bay on beautiful Loch Riddon on the Argyll Coastline.

Although red squirrels are common on the Cowal Peninsula, there is a mystery as to how this one came to join the cruise. Martin McWhirr, the skipper of Glen Massan has 2 theories.

He said: ‘‘unday night was relatively windy, which may have resulted in the squirrel being blown from its tree overhanging the water and with it then swimming to the Glen Massan and shinning up the anchor chain. The other possibility is that it had been caught by a large bird of prey, possibly even a sea eagle which then lost its prey with it landing aboard. I can’t see any other possibilities.’’

However Jan Ferguson, Chairman of the Cowal Squirrel Group, has another opinion. She said ‘‘The most likely scenario is that he got involved in a fight with another red, probably over territory. If there was nowhere for him to run, he could have jumped into the loch and, as squirrels are good swimmers, he could have swum to the boat and climbed up the anchor chain.’’

However, she doesn’t dismiss Martin’s view. She continued: ‘‘It is very possible he was scared by a bird of prey or even a cat or dog, leading him to jump into the water.’’

The sneaky stowaway was discovered very early on Monday morning by one of the vessel’s guests, Canadian Steve Boyton, who is a professional photographer. He’d risen early to capture the stunning sunrise over the Loch, only to get the fright of a lifetime. In his attempt to capture the squirrel, the commotion awoke the crew and other guests. Further attempts to catch the squirrel only resulted in the Glen Massan’s bosun Jamie Duncan being bitten on the finger!

Further deatils on Majestic cruises can be found at http://www.themajesticline.co.uk/

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