Whisky sailing trip Oban – Troon

The fare includes:

• 7 nights accommodation on board in a double cabin with private shower;
• all meals during the trip (breakfast, lunch and dinner);
• non-alcoholic drinks during meals (coffee, tea, milk and water);
• 1 whisky tasting on board

Not included are:

• all other non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks (beer, wine and whisky);
• entrance tickets for visits to the various distilleries;
• additional excursions on shore. The costs for the various excursions amount to approx. €100 per person in total (participation is not obligatory).

The sailing trip starts and ends in Scotland. You have to arrange your own travel to Scotland. This is NOT included in the price. For your journey to the ship and back, please visit the Rome2Rio website: https://www.rome2rio.com  

• embarking time: Saturday 14 June 2025 at 16:00 in Oban/Scotland
• disembarking time: Saturday 21 June 2025 at 10:00 in Troon/Scotland

Planning

Be guided by the currents and the wind and enjoy the fascinating Scottish landscape as can only be done from a ship. After departing from Troon Harbour on Saturday 31 May 2025, the sturdy three-masted barquentine Thalassa will take us to Oban in seven days. Accompanied by whisky expert Mike Gerards, we will visit distilleries along the way.

Whisky is to Scotland what wine is to France

Just as France has its regional protection for its wines, Scotland also has its regional classification for its whiskies. On this sailing trip, we will visit four of the six: Highlands, Islands, Islay and Campbeltown. This trip is the perfect opportunity to learn to distinguish the differences between the different whiskies and the regional, or international, characteristics. Along the way, we will encounter distilleries that date back to the late 17th century and distilleries that are only a few years old. All have in common that they make whisky based on pure craftsmanship and on regional characteristics.

Depending on weather and sailing conditions, we may visit the following distilleries en route: Oban (before sailing), Ardnamurchan, Tobermory, Jura, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Ardnahoe, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Bushmills, Glen Scotia, Springbank and Glengyle. For lovers of Laphroaig with a registration for a plot, this trip is the perfect opportunity to plant the flag and pick up the dram.

Taste the differences between neighbouring whiskies

During the workshop sessions in the evening, we can discuss why you taste what you taste in whisky, why one whisky is built differently from another despite the fact that the distance from one distillery to another is only a few kilometres and many more tidbits of knowledge. There is ample opportunity to share the flavours of the whiskies with each other. Besides the Scottish distilleries, if the wind permits, we will also make a trip to Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland. Despite being English territory, we classify this whiskey as Irish whiskey. Of course, instead of a distillery, you can also choose to experience the particularly beautiful landscape of the Scottish islands.

Stroll between tastings

Walks are available near each mooring. This region lends itself perfectly to a short excursion or a walk of several kilometres. Our guests should not miss the impressive scenery of the Giant Causeway in Northern Ireland. But there are also beautiful circular walks through local nature reserves around Tobermory and on Islay. Nautical life can be experienced in the various port towns, such as Port Ellen, Tobermory and Campbeltown. Oban, Campbeltown and Tobermory also have a good range of museums, galleries, shops and local attractions. Our whisky expert and Scotland guide will be happy to show you the way in the world of whisky.

Please note: for all parts of this programme applies wind and weather permitting.