Sailing the Hebrides, Simply and Quietly

Step aboard Selkie and explore Scotland’s wild coastline at an unhurried pace.

An Experienced Skipper, With You at the Helm

Celia has spent decades exploring wild coastlines and loves sharing the Hebrides with people.

Sail the Hebrides aboard Selkie

Discover remote islands, sheltered bays, and wild coastlines along the way.

Take the helm and be part of the adventure

Whether you’re new to sailing or have years at sea, Selkie is a boat you’ll love to sail.

Sail the Hebrides on a High‑Latitude Expedition Yacht

Selkie is a 15‑metre, one‑off expedition yacht built for high‑latitude seas and shaped by decades of real voyaging. She carries people into the Hebrides in a way that only a boat like her can — close to the weather, the wildlife, and the raw edges of the islands. Life aboard is hands‑on and immersive: you come to sail, to learn, and to feel the sea under you. For many, these voyages become the wildest and most memorable days they ever spend in this landscape. Explore the Hebrides aboard Selkie, a bespoke expedition yacht built for high latitudes

 

Choose your Voyage

2027 is a short season – just four voyages before Selkie heads north to Greenland. Places are few, so do book early.

Women’s Equinox Sail & Walk

20–29 March 2027 · Eigg to Mallaig · from £1,500

Nine nights for fit, adventurous women who love a big day on the hill as much as a day under sail. We follow the weather through the Small Isles and beyond, finding sheltered anchorages and long island walks – and everyone sails, walks, cooks and looks after Selkie together.

• Big hill days of 7 hours or more
• Sailing as part of the working crew
• A sunset summit of the Sgurr on Eigg
• A shared, all-hands voyage

Mindful Sailing & Wild Yoga Retreat

1–5 April 2027 · Mallaig to Eigg · £1,650

A four-night retreat for just four guests, weaving sailing, yoga and time in the Small Isles into a slower, more spacious rhythm. You don’t need to be experienced in yoga or sailing – just open to being present at sea.

• Daily yoga and mindful movement
• Sailing as part of the working crew
• Time ashore on quiet islands
• Evenings anchored in sheltered bays

Helm, She Said

9–15 April 2027 · Mallaig to Mallaig · £2,600

A week to take the helm and find your feet in the beautiful Scottish islands. A step up in comfort, with a cook on board, time for wellbeing, and the stories of the Hebrides along the way.

• Your hands on the wheel every day
• Meals made by our onboard cook
• Wellbeing and island stories
• Evenings anchored in quiet bays

Hebrides Geosail

17–23 April 2027 · Mallaig to Eigg · Sold out

Exploring the remarkable geology of the Small Isles, from Selkie’s deck and ashore. This voyage is fully booked for 2027 – get in touch if you’d like to hear about future geosails.

Check out our 100% 5-star TripAdvisor reviews…

From our 2025 Mindful Sailing and Wild Yoga Voyage:  “Truly, a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience… highly recommended for anyone seeking adventure with the grounded nature of yoga and the stunning backdrop of the sea.”

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Michael B profile picture
Michael B
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A proper sailing experience. I had a brilliant time sailing with Celia and Dylan on Selkie. We sailed a lot, day and night, including a voyage out to St Kilda beyond the Outer Hebrides. The company was excellent and the food superb. The locations chosen for overnight anchorages were extremely picturesque and perfect for onshore excursions. Highly recommended!
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msampson2017 profile picture
msampson2017
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A truly magical and special week- one of the best experiences of my life Where to start! An incredible week from beginning to end- living on board Selkie - feeling welcomed and cocooned in this home from home. Celia knows the best places to go, hidden secret moorings to wildlife specials - I will never forget the Shiants - sitting in my PJs on deck with the sky dark with birds, watching the sunrise. From the food (home made cakes daily, lobster, pigeon, venison) to the skipper, and the company, it was faultless.
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Voyager54724880728 profile picture
Voyager54724880728
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Unforgettable The sail/yoga retreat was everything I hoped for and more! We were warmly hosted by Celia whose expert skippering comes from many years of experience handling Selkie in these wild waters and she was complimented brilliantly by first mate Emma , whose knowledge of the seas, yoga teaching and wonderful cooking combined to make us feel very relaxed and well looked after. We were blessed with daily visits from dolphins, porpoises and Minke whales; even the wildly contrasting weather meant that the sailing was both exciting and serene, mirroring the nature of these spectacular islands. It really was a fabulous week, I'm so grateful to Celia and Emma (and fellow passenger Jess) for making a long held dream come true in such a memorable, joyful and meaningful way.
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Jessica G profile picture
Jessica G
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A magical secret I did a week’s mindful sailing and wild yoga on Selkie this August and came home feeling completely nourished and inspired. A week immersed in majestical landscapes, surrounded by wonderful companions (none of whom I’d met before)eating beautifully cooked and locally sourced food was all more than I could have imagined for a precious week of holiday. I had wanted to do a yoga retreat but one that brought yoga into a new context, out of a studio setting and into something more immersive. This week was exactly that, whatever the weather (it tends to change hour to hour and I ended up using every item of clothing I’d brought). You are completely in it and the damp fog was as glorious as the blazing sunrays. Initially, I felt anxious about sharing such an intimate space with strangers but that disappeared the moment I met everyone and Celia and Emma created such a warm and hospitable space for all of us to join in and also retreat and were amazingly attentive, despite all their multitasking. With a joyous tone, I loved that they encouraged me to take the helm, try out new sports, take new risks, soak it all up. It all just felt fun, rather than testing or macho as these environments often can. I feel like I’ve made friends for life and I’d include Selkie the boat in that list as she’s as warm a character as the people who sail her. Though I want to keep this holiday all to myself as a magical secret, really I can’t recommend it more highly and know that Emma and Celia would embrace you whatever your interests or ability.
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Peter O profile picture
Peter O
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Most brilliant 10 day trip! I haven't done much open sea sailing before and couldn't have been in better hands. Celia is superb: experienced, knowledgeable and constantly alert watching to check that we are safe. The boat is strong and well designed. Adventure, for sure, but never felt under threat despite force 8 gales. Some warm days when we could get ashore and take walks, waiting for the wind and tide to be right. Can't reccomend too highly.
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Helen P profile picture
Helen P
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Amazing Yoga sail on Selkie. Yoga on beaches, on 2.5 billion year old rocks, in heather,on deck and on Paddle boards A brilliant 6-day trip which evolved as the sun, sea and gorgeous weather (unexpected) developed. Sleat of Skye, Cairns of Col, Berneray, Vatersay, Canna and Eigg all visited (and an amazing sail by the west coast of Rhum) and welcomed us to do yoga in unique places, swim in the Atlantic and Sea of the Hebrides (both in one day on Vatersay), bird watch, enjoy fantastic fresh foods and good laughs(especially watching the two Yogis' falling off their paddle boards whilst attempting Warrior 3). As the only last minute "client" I was spoilt with choices and attention. My third trip on Selkie and without a doubt I'll be back. Its a joy whatever the weather and Celia (Skipper) and fist mate Emmas knowledge of the seas, wildlife, sailing, flowers (Oh the flowers!), Island life (they are both Island crofters), geology and Yoga made for an energetic, fun and fascinating 6 days. There are 3 more Yoga sails this summer, and I would highly recommend the trip. .... we watched the green flash as the sun set on the west horizon from the Cairns of Col and a red full moon rise over Eigg harbour. Bliss. Fell asleep to the sound of at least two pairs of corncrakes on Berneray and watched the common dolphins as they played around and raced the boat. A bottlenose dolphin entertained us as it fished in Vatersay bay. Thankyou Celia and Emma for a wonderful trip and your patience. I will never be a sailor (or particularly good at Yoga) but I love everything associated with it especially off the West coast of Scotland!! Helen
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H8758DNsandras
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A trip of a lifetime! I had an amazing trip with Celia aboard the Selkie. Exploring the Small Islands was such a joy - just breath taking views all around! I knew so little about this part of the world that everything was an adventure! The weather was Scottish - quick changes from sun to clouds to cold wins - even some fog. But the sailing was a joy. The Selkie is a well equipped boat - with a lovely salon/dining area where we enjoyed delicious meals and even better conversation. As an American, I loved getting to know the Brits and Scots I was sailing with - it broadened my view of the world. Celia is an amazing skipper. She taught me so much. And her concern with safety made me feel secure. I would love to sail with Celia on the Selkie again. I felt so well cared for. Don’t hesitate to book.
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Martin W profile picture
Martin W
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Adventure. Exciting remote scenery. This was a unique experience of the stunning west coast of Scotland on board a yacht. The yacht is a well prepared strong expedition style vessel expertly skippered by Celia with home cooking to keep the crew happy. We visited sone remote and beautiful places which would otherwise be difficult to access. A great experience.
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Patricia B profile picture
Patricia B
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The best way to experience the Hebrides From day one our charter was dogged by cold rain, dark skies and unfavorable winds that reduced our options. My husband had limited mobility and had never sailed, and I had never sailed outside the tropics. Yet none of that mattered as we explored Skye and the small isles on Selkie because the Hebrides are spell-binding under any circumstance, and our company — Captain Celia Bull, her son Dylan and friend Jackie Johnson — are some of the finest people you’ll ever meet. Selkie is the perfect expedition yacht for reaching out of the way anchorages in these islands, and Celia is the best captain I’ve ever sailed with: calm, charismatic, passionate and deeply knowledgeable about her home waters, always glad to share the helm and sensitive to the wishes and needs of her crew, assuring each member has his or her best day. Dylan turned out some amazing meals for us, including a feast of hand-rolled sushi meant for a picnic, which we devoured in a downpour in the shelter of Celia’s car on Eigg. So we didn’t get to St. Kilda, and spotted a nuclear sub instead of a Minke whale. We hiked to some glorious beaches, had fabulous runs in 20+ knot winds, sailed with golden eagles, harbor porpoises and puffin colonies, and danced at a Ceilidh. I took a traditional guitar class with a master on Eigg, my husband took the wheel of a boat for the first time, and when asked how he liked sailing, he replied, “This is the life.” If Selkie can work this kind of magic when it rains, imagine what it’s like when the sun shines!
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Sailor James profile picture
Sailor James
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World Class Adventure Sailing I had the great pleasure of spending 21 days sailing onboard SY Selkie and I can honestly say it changed my life forever. Captain Celia Bull and First Mate Dylan are extremely experienced and responsible making sure that the guests are safe and secure while getting to experience remarkable locations. From The Standing Stones of Stenness to the sheep of North Ronaldsay to the ancient seaport of Stromness to transiting the Caledonian Canal and Lochness. Any one of these places would have been a once in a lifetime memory but to couple them with traveling by sail from place to place it was truly unforgettable. Do your self a favor and book a passage. It may be the next chapter in your life’s story.

Click here to see more reviews on our TripAdvisor page…

Women Refugee Climbing Trip

I have made attempts to start this piece many times wanting to write it down while the experience was fresh in my mind.  …I am sat waiting for the NHS dentist…  …It is early morning in Mallaig…  ...I am on the ferry surrounded by excited children, pupils of the Isle...

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Waiting to get home

Storm Isha is hurling itself at the window.  I am gazing over at Eigg, unable to reach home as the ferry is obviously cancelled for today.  Betting I don’t want to be out in this?  You would be correct. I am returning from a Megabusing visit to London to spend time...

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North of Statt

We come round Statt, the fist of land that punches defiantly out into the Norwegian Sea.  We cross over on a day of infinite blue sky, when the fighting waters are taking a breather and lapping gently against the great cliffs.

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Murky Month and MicroPlastics

I have found it a murky month here onboard Selkie: a month of unexpected challenges.  There are silver linings, and I am so lucky to have fallen upon these tricky times in Bergen under the wing of the kindest and ocean optimistic person, someone who has kept me...

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Going North for Autumn

This year so far has been brilliant and illuminating, with barely time to catch my breath.  It feels only right and proper to announce here on my webpage that I am heading back North come the autumn. My time in Norway during the winter blew me away, luckily not...

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Låder

Låder, Rennesøy. This is where I saw the great pulsating, sweeping curtains of green and pink light leaping through the star lit sky.  A low rocky bay ringed by islets where the eagles gather to shake their tale feathers, disturb the wildlife and excite the Selkie...

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Equinox Sail & Walk

Summit view over the sea to the Small Isles

Yoga Sails

Yoga low lunge on deck on a sailing yoga retreat in Scotland

Helm, She Said

Smiling woman in the cockpit of Selkie on a women’s sailing holiday

Hebrides Geosail

Dinosaur Bay, Isle of Eigg, visited on the Hebrides Geosail

Schedule 2027

Isle of Lewis coastline seen from Selkie

How to Book

Selkie at anchor on a summer evening in the Hebrides