12 September 2020
Mull and her Inlets and Islands - Glen Etive
Derek Dawson
Having completed 26 cruises on several of the larger passenger ships around the world, I can say that our most recent experience on board the Glen Etive ‘the Majestic Line’ around the isles of Scotland was by far the best experience of them all. Having been given the ‘Good to Go’ by the Scottish Government, strict adherence by the crew and passengers to the wearing of masks, daily recorded temperatures and social distancing rules etc were maintained throughout the cruise which became the norm and never a hindrance. The cruise itinerary was flexible to the combined wishes of the passengers and subject to maritime rules, tides and weather conditions. The food was exceptional with every meal a speciality provided by Gordon Howe being a Michelin star chef. Unlike the larger cruise lines we travelled in the day time, where the scenery was forever changing within the house. The Captain anchored the ship at the end of each adventurous day in a very remote inlet, being sheltered where the sea was like a mill pond. We disembarked the ship by a small tender which took us to the isolated islands to explore the wildlife which was in abundance. The highlight of the cruise for me was to have followed Jane McDonald in the singing of an appropriate Hymn in ‘Fingal’s Cave’ on Staffa Island. I will be forever thankful to all the crew members (Colin, Gordon, Ian and Kerry) who despite the prevailing weather conditions and against the odds fulfilled my wishes. This will be the future cruising for me and my wider family as I could highly recommend this style of cruising for the adventurous cruisers out there. Certainly, a cruise like no other. Well done to all at ‘The Majestic Line’. Thanks from Derek, Linda and daughter Lyndsey.
