Sessions and Sail

Nikita joined the Søren Larsen as one of four bursary-sponsored participants on the Australia 2026 voyage. Here's her blog entry:

I boarded the Søren Larsen on a typical Australian morning in February, the sun high and the air thick with summer heat. At 19, after four years of volunteering on tall ships across Australia, this voyage was a chapter that I had never imagined opening its pages for me. Not only would I be relishing the sailing, but I would also be able to bring together my passion for music, forming an unexpected harmony.

On the 4th of February, after anchoring in Sydney Harbour for the night, we left behind the bustle of the city for the tranquillity of the open ocean. Our journey took us first south, then north, overshooting Sydney, until finally returning home. We chatted, learned tunes, sessioned and sailed every day, often anchoring in intriguing places and venturing ashore for explorations.

Along the way, the sea revealed many wonders; dolphins diving gracefully from the water and jellyfish drifting like ghosts beneath the surface, reminding us of the ocean’s hidden life. I found myself climbing the mast many times, drawn upward by the thrill of the height, the endless sky stretching above, and the equally endless ocean below. From that vantage point, the world was vast, but time was slow, forcing me to turn inwards and reflect on my present rather than racing ahead to the days to come.

What made this voyage truly unforgettable was the enthusiastic, talented, knowledgeable and fun crew. The team were not only skilled sailors but warm, generous souls who welcomed everyone aboard with open arms. Their kindness and experience created a space where curiosity was encouraged and friendships blossomed. They joined sessions, shared stories, led shanties, and made sure each of us felt at home on the ship, turning once-strangers into a close-knit community.Evenings were always alive with spontaneous jams and conversations that stretched late into the night, creating memories unlike any others that I’m sure everyone on board the ship will cherish for life.

The way that music and sailing intertwined throughout our journey was purely magical. The creaking of Søren’s wooden hull, the slap of waves, and the movement of the rigging and sails became the perfect accompaniment to our melodies. It felt as though the ocean itself would respond, carrying our songs out across the water.

As we returned to Sydney, the city skyline welcoming us back, I found myself feeling lost at the thought of leaving behind the extraordinary world we had created at sea and returning to everyday life. Sailing and music are two of my deepest passions and weaving them together alongside such an incredible group of people was a rare and transformative experience that will stay with me forever.

I am immensely grateful to Sessions and Sail for making this journey possible. Along with four other young people, I was honoured to receive a bursary that opened the door to this experience. This adventure allowed me to grow, learn and connect with others in ways that I had never imagined, and for that, I extend my heartfelt thanks.

Ryan joined the Lady of Avenel in May as a bursary-sponsored participant on the Firth of Clyde voyage. Here's his blog entry:

Coming aboard the Lady of Avenel felt like stepping back in time. The hempen rope trailing up the mast, the canvas sails stowed across the yardarm, the rigging. It could have been ripped straight from a tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. As a primary school teacher, I’m used to playing roles: monster, dragon, evil wizard chasing my class around the playground. Today, however, it was real. I was a pirate, ready to sail to distant islands and see what treasure might be found.

It wasn’t long before I found my first gold, painted across the sky as the cold of the 5:30 a.m. air turned our breath into clouds. The crew was awake, but the rest of the passengers were still in deep slumber as we slipped out of the harbour on the high tide, clearing the sandbar and making our way towards Arran. The gold in the sky shifted as we sailed into the Firth of Clyde. First amber, then dazzling silver as day broke across the glass-calm ocean. This pirate was off to a fine start.

One treasure often neglected in pirate stories is knowledge. Barry, the skipper, and Nessie, the first mate, spent much of their time teaching me how to take my sailing experience and apply it to a tall ship: how to set and trim the sails, what each line was called, even the brutal task of sweating and tailing. On the windiest day of the trip, I learned to steer the boat accurately by compass and sighting, covering 70 miles in a single day. On the stiller days, I learned how to set anchors and climb the rigging.

The greatest treasure of all, though, was found off Sanda Island. After working to lash the sails, tidy the lines, and share an incredible lasagne followed by yet another fantastic session, I received an alert: Meteor shower tonight. So, alarm set for 3 a.m., I crept out of my bunk with a blanket and two beanbags, climbed on deck, and lay back to watch the sky. Coming from an island, I’m used to dark skies — but this was something else. No city glow, no clouds, no wind. Just the entire cosmos spread above me like a sea of jewels.

I watched shooting stars streak overhead, the boat rocking gently beneath me, until I drifted to sleep. I was woken by Nessie, who was just as surprised to find me there as I was to discover it was already morning. I loved the experience so much that I spent the rest of my nights on deck — just me, the sun, and the sky.

Now, however, I must hang up my tricorn hat and return to life on dry land. But I carry with me the skills I need should I ever decide to set out again: wind in my hair, deck beneath my feet, chasing the same treasures I found on this voyage — skies of gold, a glittering cosmos and the songs and stories shared while swinging on the hook.

Shirley Barr sailed with us on our Songwriting voyage in May, on our sponsored Bursary scheme. Here's a blog she wrote about the voayge:

Sessions & Sail Songwriting 2025:  Oban–Oban with Jenny Sturgeon & Adam Ross

Sunday 11^th May

The WhatsApp chat group was filled with excited travel updates as 12 intrepid songwriters and two tutors made their various ways to Oban to board the Lady of Avenel. We were greeted by a beaming Barry, Harry and Harris, mugs of tea, plates of biscuits, a lovely lunch spread and then shown to our cabins following a safety briefing. Soon we were on our way to the Garvellachs archipelago, anchoring up for the night by Eilean an Naoimh. A landing trip by dinghy was made by most of the folk aboard to see the remains of St Brendan’s Monastery, undeterred by the fearsome midges. The first of many amazing evening meals followed, and we sat up in the saloon into the wee small hours, chatting, sharing songs and realising what an incredibly interesting and diverse group we were – who all enjoyed good craic!

Monday 12^th May

Due to incredibly good weather and a distinct lack of wind, as we enjoyed a hearty-Harris-breakfast we motored to Erraid, anchoring up by the enticingly beautiful Balfour Bay. Having spent many childhood holidays on this island, it was particularly exciting for me to arrive aboard a tall ship! Furnished with various interesting objects from Jenny and Adam to inspire a song, we headed over for a swim and exploratory session. Re-grouping in the sunshine on the Lady’s deck, we shared what we’d written and were given our next task – a poem to set to a melody. More newly penned song sharing ensued, then under the watchful gaze of the full moon we sang, played tunes, chatted and ate and drank our way into the early hours once again.  

Tuesday 13^th May

Another glorious sunny day without a breath of breeze for the sails found us motoring on to the isle of Iona. We had a quick and very funny task ahead of landing, to write a jingle inspired by something aboard the Lady. Harris had no fewer than 6 dedicated to his culinary skills, which are epic. Then, each armed with a postcard to inspire our next song we headed over to Iona, where more swimming took place in the aquamarine waters. The beer garden at the Argyll Hotel beckoned, after a wee wander around the island. Perfect spot to mull over lyrics and melody ideas for the postcard song and cool down with a local lager. Much hilarity with on-board announcements from Harry and Harris on the dinghy back. We travelled on, anchoring up for the night by the Treshnish Isles. Yet another incredible dinner and late, late night of craic and Corncrake, as one could be heard from the deck calling late into the night.

Wednesday 14^th May

PUFFINS! Today, after breakfast we were given a co-write task, involving birdcalls. We spent some time in pairs, making a start and then the dinghy trips over to Lunga to see the PUFFINS started. Can you tell I was a bit excited about seeing them for the first time? So many bucket-list items were ticked this week! Back aboard, we shared our birdsong co-writes. In the afternoon we had fun with time signatures, a request from the group to the tutors to help us get our heads around it all. We tried our hands at a spot of sailing, too, and managed the heady speed of 2 knots! The weather was being almost too good. Some folk jumped over to Ulva for a look-see, but I opted to stay and work on my song. I’d challenged myself to write in 7/8 and needed all the time I could get! Over fishcakes from heaven, with the hot sauce that Jenny had purchased on Ulva, another happy evening commenced.

Thursday 15^th May

It was a relatively early start today, to beat the crowds onto Staffa. With the walkway currently under repair we took it in turns to dinghy right into Fingal’s Cave. Another massive tick on my bucket-list. One boat load with a harp aboard, another a fiddle, and much heartfelt singing in the incredible echo-chamber of the cave. Back on the Lady we shared our time-signature songs. Alas. My 7/8 turned out to be 8/8 with a swing, but I really like it regardless. Next time! In the afternoon we had another co-write, taking words from the local Shetland newspapers Jenny had brought along, to create lyrics. Another saloon singing session ended the day. 

Friday 16^th May

What a week it’s been. Hard to believe this is our last day. Yet again, with no wind we motored to Jura for another island adventure. Those feeling fit and midge-proof hiked up the ridge for the views, rest of us swam and we all contemplated our final songwriting task for the week – a celebration song. It was another HOT day, and we opted for the lazy approach of just one task. Another bucket-list for me, I scaled the Lady’s mast – and whilst at the top saw an eagle!  Our final island hop was to Seil, which has a particularly nice pub garden. For the final evening each of us picked something we’d written during the week to perform. Obviously, we stayed up very, very late indeed, celebrating just how great a week we’d had and how many songs we’d written…and there may have been some rum consumed. 

Saturday 17^th May

It was a last sail (motor) to berth at Dunstaffnage whilst we ate our final breakfast, and packed. A group song on deck to appreciate our AMAZING crew, a group selfie, then a flurry of hugs and goodbyes. 

A huge thank you to the Sessions & Sail team for the bursary that allowed me to take this trip. It’s been such an incredible opportunity, and I look forward to recording a couple of the songs written this week later this year. 

Elsa Galbraith joined the Lady of Avenel in May as Bursary sponsored participant on the Firth of Clyde voyage. 

Here's a blog entry from Elsa!

The Day I Floated Across the Atlantic

It was the penultimate day of my week aboard the Lady of Avenal as part of my Session and Sail trip. I had mastered the awkward backwards facing manoeuvre to get downstairs below deck and was getting used to the easy rhythm of the days blurring into one another like an old film reel. The plot of the film was something along the lines of play music, swim, eat, watch the view, repeat - with the odd clamber up the mast thrown in for good measure! Not bad!

Today’s plan was similar. Departing from our anchor near the Crinan canal, our skipper Barry motored the ship north and through the currents of the Corryvreckan whirlpool, passing the rocky islands of Scarba and Lunga. Our destination of Clachan was reached by late afternoon, meaning there was time for a trip on land and a swim before dinner. Little did I know that where we had anchored up for the night was a mere paradise. 

Once ashore, we wandered up a steep rocky path and ahead of us the land opened out in small alpine like pastures. Late spring trees dripped in honey sunshine and hushed as we walked. We were making our way to Clachan’s most famous attraction: the Bridge over the Atlantic, a beautiful old stone bridge laden with purple flowers, straddling the Clachan Sound. The peaty river below was our swimming spot.

As we sang the melodies of the day, five of us galloped down to the river to change. I could see from here that it was moving at a fair speed, the spume spiralling in eddies and fading into the distance. I was cautious, but the others ensure me they had done it before. Encouraged by the their enthusiasm, I proceed in my bikini across the bridge and slipped into the water.

Without time think, the river is carrying my weight downstream. I pause, glance back towards the bank and can see the land is moving past me. For a split second I succumb to the flow. Then I start swimming. If I swim horizontally to the current I move in a diagonal line from one bank to the other; I’m a fairly strong swimmer but even I feel I’m pushing hard against the stream. Blood gushes through my body; it really is exhilarating swimming across the Atlantic! Just ahead of me the others chant and and laugh and when the five of us make it over, we cross back and go again!

This experience really was one of my favourite on the Session and Sail trip and for me it really sums up the positive energy that exudes from the entire Session and Sail crew. They all have this kind of get up and go attitude which makes the trip exciting and unique. They listen to ideas and suggestions and they make them happen. If you want to try a new instrument, you can; if you want to mashups of rap lyrics with fiddle tunes, you can; if you want to climb the mast of the ship to chill out at the top then that’s cool too. If you are wanting something from the trip, or if you aren’t sure what to expect at all (as I was), don’t worry. Like swimming across the river - you just got to jump in and go for it!

Here our Bursary participants - Martha Spence and Cameron Clark - write of their experience on our most recent voyage exploring the coasts of Mull, Morvern and Ardnamurchan aboard Lady of Avenel.

Sunday 4^th August

On Sunday the 4^th of August 18 budding sailors/musicians defied the Scottish summer weather and descended upon Oban by various transport routes. Having no prior sailing experience, we didn’t really know what we were getting into, but seeing lots of friendly faces to greet us at Oban Harbour certainly made us feel at home on the water. After settling into our cabins, we had ample time to explore the boat and exchange tunes before setting sail (motor due to wind direction) for the Sound of Mull. Despite the weather changing the original trip itinerary, late-night tunes, good food and even better craic meant we enjoyed the first night getting to know everyone on board into the early hours of the morning.

Monday 5^th August

Setting off after a hearty breakfast of porridge, we set of to find a neat anchorage at Loch Aline; a small but homely town on the west coast. Some of us went ashore to explore the surroundings while others enjoyed the dry spell by sitting out on deck and playing some tunes. Making the most of the talented tutor Nessie on board, we had an afternoon tune-learning workshop while sheltering from the wind and rain. Trying our luck at fishing, but to no avail, before we knew it, it was time again to pile back into the saloon for more tunes… and more whisky.

Tuesday 6^th August 

With the weather only getting worse, the original itinerary was looking unlikely. But we didn’t need to worry, this meant that we were going to Tobermory, location and home of our favourite childhood TV show Balamory! To the background of ‘what’s the story in Balamory’…. The Lady of Avanel left   Loch Aline mid-morning. Enjoying fascinating workshops with Hamish Napier on harmony and improvisation, we also had time to explore the beautiful island town, with more walks and things to see. After returning to the boat for another delicious meal we headed back onto dry land to go to Mcgeochans for a joint session with Mull fiddle week, rounding off the perfect day.

Wednesday 7^th August

After spending more time in the morning exploring Tobermory and meeting locals like Professor Plankton, we said farewell to the tutor Hamish Napier, but not before we collaboratively wrote a tune about our week on the boat. More tunes in the saloon followed, and the night turned into another craic-filled tune session.

Thursday 8^th August

Thursday morning’s weather allowed us to steer the boat, and finally after three days of fishing Cameron finally caught something- his own finger. Despite a plaster-covered finger, the day continued with a bowing and technique workshop with tutor Nessie. Leaving Drumbuidhe to explore Loch Sunart, we anchored at the serene town of Salen where we were able to explore the west highland landscape and local bar. After this we explored the loch all the way up to Strontian, but still no sign of fish. After a delicious curry night and homemade chai tea, it was back to the saloon to put the workshops into practice and play some tunes

Friday 9^th August

Waking up to a rare sight of sun some of the group enjoyed a refreshing dip before the ship made haste for Lismore/Oban. We had more time to enjoy the peace of the west highlands we even had time for more tune workshops with Nessie.

The Sessions and Sail crew have just left the Shiant Islands headed back towards the West Highland coast. Here, crew member/bursary winner Freya Taylor writes about her experience of the trip so far.

Day 1

On arrival at the marina in Mallaig I was greeted by warm smiles. On board a room filled with friendly faces, and instruments and mugs already dispersed across the tables. After a round of introductions, the sound of sessions and sail began. 

After dropping the anchor and some great tunes, food and chat the first day drew to a close. 

Day 2 

The day started with a cooked breakfast and plenty tea and coffee. A slow start to the sailing, well we waited on the tides, allowed for plenty time to learn a tune and a song from the crew. We then set off. We hoisted some sails, and something which Harry and Barry were very happy to explain to us how to do.  We then sailed through Kyle Rhea, where the currents are very fast, passing the ferry and an old fort as we went. We continued up the inner coast of Skye, some of us learning some old Gaelic tunes from Charlie, before we arrived in Portree where we anchored for the night. After some more fantastic food, we went ashore in the dinghy and played tunes and songs in An Tanna Mor pub, there was even folk up ceilidh dancing. We left the pub, to some confused faces and questions, as the musicians pulled on life jackets. On the return voyage Barry and Nessie pulled out their fiddles and an extra lap of the boat was required in order to allow Nessie and Barry time to finish their tune. The evening finished with more music, a few drams and an incredible sun set (or maybe sunrise by this point). 

Day 3 

As I learned by this point days on the Lady of Avenel always start with tea, coffee, porridge and a cooked breakfast- a fantastic start. We then had a beautiful sail over to Loch Torridon, where I even had the chance to steer the boat, something which took a while to get my head round but was very cool to do. The sun was out as we sailed past Shieldaig, spotting some nesting sea eagles, and having the chance to go sit out on the bow spit, and watch the senary pass from there. This was kind of terrifying but also quite exciting. Unfortunately, this is when the wind decided to not play ball, and great gusts rocked the boat and made it impossible for the anchor to hold, although this had no effect on the tunes and craic, and another brilliant dinner and pudding was had. As the gusts were not stopping it was decided that we would have to go again and find another spot to stop for the night. The tunes continued in the saloon, but I went outside again and watched for any buoys that might be in our path; it’s incredible to see how much the sea can change in just a few hours and how different it looks in the dark. I found it quite special. About 2am we arrived in a calm anchorage just off Gairloch, and again the evening finished with more tea, tunes and the addition of cheese. 

Day 4 

Crossing the Minch. A gorgeous day spent motoring over to the Shiant islands, surrounded by dolphins and an array of birds. On arrival in the Shiants I was speechless. The views are incredible, and the birds spectacular. After lunch we headed onto the islands to explore. There was a lovely bothy and views all the way out to Harris. Climbing up the hill, stopping to admire the flowers, birds and everything about the place. At the top I could see the Lady of Avenel in all her beauty as well. Back on board the boat for a short second before a freezing dip in the sea with the warm sun on our faces. After dinner and fantastic sticky toffee pudding, we were joined onboard by sailors from neighbouring boats, for some tunes on the deck. Once it got too cold, tunes moved inside. I came out on deck just after midnight to see the most incredible sky; whispy cloud lines, a bright orange horizon, stars in the sky and the sun set reflecting though an archway in the island. A mesmerising end to another great day. 

As dark as it got on Tuesday night at the Shiants… 

Day 5 

I woke up to beauty of the Shiants and the sound of the puffins. Some of us went back to the island to go up to the puffin colony and watch all the birds. Once back on the boat and another quick dip, we were sailing again back to the mainland. 

…and we're off again! Our crew boarded in Oban yesterday afternoon, and by 4pm we were headed out. Anchored in Loch Aline last night, the tunes were going strong led by this week's tutors Carol ‘Nessie’ Anderson and Tim MacDonald.

This morning dawned still and clear, and by 1000 we left Loch Aline and soon found a bit of breeze in the Sound of Mull. Soon we had the engine stopped and were cruising at 5 knots with Course, Topsail, Topgallant, Outer Jib and Main Sail set. The sun came out, and we had tunes by the wheel as we sailed along - here's a lovely moment where Will and Nessie play ‘Cearcail a Chuain’, a lovely gaelic waltz they have been teaching the rest of the group.

We're tied up at the pontoons in Tobermory now, looking forward to some good sessions tonight and a fair breeze to travel further north tomorrow.

~ Barry ~