Sessions and Sail

Who is the trip aimed at?

If you are a keen musician playing at any level - whether beginner, intermediate or expert - with an interest in the traditional and folk music of Scotland, this trip is for you.  No sailing experience is necessary, but those keen to participate will be encouraged to join in the sailing of the ship should they wish to, whether steering, helping set and trim the sails, or even climbing the mast for the finest view of all.

Likely Itinerary 

The following itinerary is a only a suggestion of how the trip may take form; all destinations are subject to change, are weather dependant, and are at the discretion of the Captain. 

Day 1

You join the Lady of Avenel at the quay in Girvan, with the town still buzzing on the third day of the 50^th Girvan Folk Festival. After lunch on board, an introduction to the crew and a safety talk from the Skipper, the ship gets ready to sail on the afternoon high tide.

If weather is good, we depart the harbour with tunes on deck, giving Girvan a spirited ‘see you later’!

Out the harbour we sail, passing close by Ailsa Craig before turning to starboard and heading up the Firth of Clyde. Finding a sheltered spot off Arran to drop an anchor. We have dinner then play some tunes,  getting to know each other round the Lady of Avenel’s saloon table.

Day 2

Today we plan to sail through the famous Kyles of Bute, the favourite destination of the ‘doon the watter’ steamer trips out of Glasgow. We make an early departure, passing Arran over breakfast. Our tutors run the first workshop of the voyage as we cross the channel between Arran and Bute; and by lunch time we are heading up the East Kyle. 

You will be keen to spend as much time as possible on deck to enjoy the scenery; ideally the weather will  be good and we will play tunes as we go.

By evening we have sailed down the West Kyle and are approaching Arran once more. We drop anchor in beautiful Loch Ranza in time for dinner and an onboard session.

Day 3

We have the morning to enjoy Loch Ranza – a walk ashore, followed by a workshop on board the Lady where you have the chance to learn an Arran tune and/or song, potentially from an Arran based musician.

We then raise anchor after lunch, heading south towards Campbeltown. This 23 mile sail is covered in less than 6 hours, and with the Lady tied up alongside the pier in Campeltown, the group heads ashore for a session in one of Campbeltown’s pubs.

Day 4

We depart Campbeltown Harbour early; the tide is king today as we cross the North Channel. We’ll want to be across or well around the Mull of Kintyre before it turns against us, at around 1300. 

If conditions are comfortable, our onboard tutors will get a workshop going as we navigate. and we will learn or arrange a few tunes.

The weather will dictate where we’re headed – Rathlin Island, off the coast of Northern Ireland, is an option; so is Gigha on the Scottish side. Even Sanda Island, off the end of the Mull itself could be an option. But with strong tides and weather to consider, the safest choice will be taken. Either way, by evening we’re at a stunning anchorage or harbour with a session either aboard or ashore to look forward to.

Day 5

After breakfast on board, we depart and head for the Sound of Jura. Today is a great chance to consolidate what you’ve learned – whether working up one of our new tunes with a shipmate, learning a new song from our tutors, getting involved with the sailing of the ship or taking a turn at the wheel. 

By early afternoon, the mountains of Jura are very close. We pull into Craighouse Bay and drop anchor, pick up a tutor from ashore and settle in to learn some local music, before dinner and a jaunt ashore for a session.

Day 6

Raising anchor after breakfast, we sail north up the Sound of Jura – passing the legendary Great Race, the Corryvreckan Narrows, in the late morning. 

We are now preparing a tune, song or item for tonight’s final evening; you are encouraged to collaborate with one or more of your shipmates to arrange a tune or piece of music. (This is non-compulsory and the less experienced will be given only gentle encouragement!)

Anchoring the Lady at Ardencaple Bay, we have dinner then perform our music for each other around the Lady’s saloon table. Afterwards, a general session continues.

Day 7

It’s the last morning; we depart at 0730 and head back to to Oban, having breakfast together on the way. A last tune or a farewell before leaving the Lady and it's time to set off on the next adventure!

Travel 

Travel advice for Girvan will be added here soon.

Oban is connected by bus from Inverness/Fort William and Glasgow – see Citylink for more information. http://www.citylink.co.uk

There are trains  daily from Glasgow www.thetrainline.com/www.scotrail.co.uk 

If you choose to drive, parking in Oban may need to be organised in advance.

Barra is well connected to the mainland, with a daily 5-hour ferry connection back to Oban https://www.calmac.co.uk/⁠ and regular flights to Glasgow and the other Outer Hebrides www.loganair.co.uk

We recommend confirming flights or travel arrangements as early as possible to avoid price rises and availability problems.