About Sessions and Sail

Scottish music and the sea go hand in hand; the sea has connected our remote islands and communities and helped us share our music, for hundreds of years.

Booking a Sessions and Sail voyage will secure you a berth aboard the 100-foot-long brigantine ‘Lady of Avenel’; the voyage is open to musicians playing at any level, with an interest in Scottish music. A certain number of non-musician berths can be available - if in doubt, drop us an email.

Masterclasses and sessions held onboard; sessions, ceilidhs and concerts ashore complement the sailing passages between destinations on Scotland's spectacular and historic coastline.

Conceived by Scottish musician and tallship captain Barry Nisbet, Sessions and Sail took place for the first time in July 2018, visiting Mallaig, Arisaig, Knoydart and the islands of Skye, Canna, Rum and Eigg.

In summer 2019 we visited Orkney and Wester Ross, with musicians such as Lauren MacColl; Brian Cromarty; Karen Tweed; Kirsty Driver; and Mike Vass.

2020 and early 2021 saw a hiatus due to the Covid 19 pandemic; however, we managed to run two wonderful trips in July 2021 and are excited to be back this summer with a great variety of trips planned including Shetland, Orkney and Donegal.

No previous knowledge of sailing is required to take part. Accommodation is in double cabins; the ship has all modern amenities, with shared bathrooms.

The cost of the trip includes accommodation aboard the Lady of Avenel, delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners cooked by the onboard chef and tickets to all workshops, sessions and ceilidhs.