Name: Sessions and Sail Celtic Fringe 2026: Barra to Orkney
Start: 2026-05-17T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Castlebay

Sessions and Sail

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32 reviews

May 17 - 23, 2026

Group size: 1 - 12

Sessions and Sail Celtic Fringe 2026: Barra to Orkney

Castlebay

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Sessions and Sail

Email address verified

32 reviews

May 17 - 23, 2026

Group size: 1 - 12

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£50

Day 1
Day 1
Depart Barra
This itinerary is a suggestion of how the trip may take form; all destinations and routes are subject to change, are weather dependant, and are at the discretion of the Captain.

You meet the ‘Lady of Avenel’ alongside the pontoons in Castlebay, where the crew welcome you aboard; you find your cabin, are given a tour of the ship and a safety briefing from the Captain.

By 3pm we're ready to depart; we're keen to get a few miles to the North today to begin our passage towards Orkney!

We sail to the East of Barra, then up the coast, following the line of the Hebrides; you may take a turn at steering the Lady of Avenel; look across the Minch to the mountains of Skye and Rum, and, if we are fortunate enough to have a sailing breeze, help the crew set the Lady’s sails. Some tunes may be in order as we sail along.
By 6pm we reach the Oitir Mhor, between Barra and Eriskay, dropping an anchor in time for drinks before dinner.

After dinner we get to know each other over a few tunes around the session table, under the guidance of our sail-along tutors.
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Day 2
Day 2
Sail to the Shiants
We're off for a longer sail today - 65 miles to the magical Shiant Islands!

One of our favourite places on the Scottish coast, the Shiants are alive with puffins, guillemots, eagles, bonxies and razorbills. The waters are full of seals, and we regularly see dolphins, porpoises and whales in this part of the Minch.

We'll get the Lady of Avenel underway - sailing if possible - and head north-east, past the hills of Uist, Benbecula and the Sound of Harris.

By evening, with hours of daylight still ahead, we arrive at the Shiants in time for dinner and tunes.
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Day 3
Day 3
Onward to Stornoway
We have the morning at the Shiants, to explore, climb, watch the birds head out to the fishing - and if the weather is still, we may have the chance for a swim or a paddleboard around this magical lagoon.

Then, after lunch, we pick up anchor and continue North - headed for Stornoway.

We arrive at our berth in Stornoway Harbour in time to head ashore for a session ashore with some local musicians.
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Day 4
Day 4
From the Hebrides to Orkney!
Today is the big one! We're setting out to round Cape Wrath, named by the Viking 'Cap Hvarf', meaning 'Turning point', it marks the crossroads between the British Isles and the North Atlantic trade routes that stretched from Norway in the East via Orkney and Shetland through Faroe, Iceland and Greenland.

After a morning looking round 'lovely Stornoway', we're back aboard for lunch before leaving our berth. We set watches, and settle into the ship's routine.

Sailing into the night, (or what passes for night this far North in late May - expect only two or three hours darkness!) we'll cover over 100 nautical miles, with Orkney our destination.
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Day 5
Day 5
Arrival in Orkney
We sail on, as the sun rises ahead of us in the early hours - and by breakfast there's full daylight, and we're looking out for our landfall and the hills of Orkney.

By late morning we're passing the cliffs and the famous Old Man of Hoy. We may play him some tunes on deck as we sail past! We sail in through Hoy Mouth and towards Scapa Flow, dropping an anchor by earlf afternoon - we've reached Orkney!

Tunes, workshops from our tutors, or a snooze to recover from your night watch; by evening, we're fed ad watered and gathering round the Lady of Avenel's saloon table for our first Orcadian session.
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Day 6
Day 6
Exploring Orkney
From our anchorage, there's a chance to go ashore this morning for a hike; back aboard the Lady, we can go sailing in 'The Flow', the enormous natural harbour that ws used by the British fleet in the 1st and 2nd world war, and still harbours many maritime war graves from both sides of those confilcts.

In the afternoon we head for Stromness - this is likely to be Orkney Folk Festival weekend, so by evening we'll berth the Lady of Avenel in the heart of Stromness and enjoy some of the sessions going on in the town.
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Day 7
Day 7
Farewells
We have a last breakfast - and maybe a last tune - together aboard the Lady of Avenel; then having said our goodbyes, we head off to the next adventure - which, with the Orkney Folk Festival in full swing, may not be that far away!
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Day 1

Depart Barra

A great experience. I felt Sessions and Sail worked really well aboard Florette. The sessions and tuition were enjoyable and to the usual high standard, I feel I've improved as a guitar player. The trips ashore were varied and interesting - volcanoes and dancing! Great food on board and a good hard working crew. For future Aeolian Island trips it might be worth checking in advance which towns allow music to be played in public places. Overall, a successful new venture for Sessions and Sail.

By Ian B for Sessions and Sail Aeolian Islands 2025 on Oct 29, 2025

Yet again Sessions and Sail provided a wonderful mixture of tall ship sailing and self-sustained communal music. This was supplemented by on-board visits from quality Calabrian musicians who not only performed for us but also provided good-natured insight into their instruments and repertoire as well as absorbing ours. The quality of food provided on board was outstanding. Sourcing and cooking local food was clearly a passion for Nicole as well as a service. Captain Ron Haynes expertly dealt with the elements and clearly explained daily our route and, importantly, dynamic variations based on forecast conditions. His three-man crew were friendly, helpful and professional. My only criticism of Florette is that companion way safety could, in my opinion, be improved with some minor changes. Specifically, hand holds could be inserted in the treads and also above the steps, similarly to the Lady of Avenel ship used for most of the Sessions and Sail voyages. I did, once, fall down the companion way due to my own lack of concentration but I had formulated my opinion well before the incident. Finally, the atmosphere among the paying guests was excellent, as is usual on Sessions and Sail voyages. This is based on large doses of humour, humility and honesty but is effortlessly led and fostered by Barry and Harry for whom this is their natural personalty trait, as well as being very special musical and entertainment talents. For the whole week, there was not one moment where nothing was available for participation both on board and the runs ashore where volcano ascents, historic towns and vinyard restaurants were among the highlights. My thanks to both the Florette crew and the Sessions and Sail organisers for making this a truly memorable week.

By Peter B for Sessions and Sail Aeolian Islands 2025 on Oct 28, 2025

A beautiful trip on a lovely ship with good food, company and music. There were lots of opportunities for walks, swims and visits to interesting places. The ship felt safe, was very clean and comfortable. There opportunities to learn the ropes.literally, and to help with the sailing process. The music was excellent.

By Brigid D for Sessions and Sail Aeolian Islands 2025 on Oct 28, 2025

Imagine leaving the chill whisper of a UK autumn, to experience the kiss of sun on your skin. Imagine thinking about all the exciting travel options to make the most of your journey to southern Italy – the history, beautiful fountains and squares of Rome, the passion, fantastic food and intense sensory experience of Naples, or the gentle serenity of Salerno. Imagine arriving in sleepy Vibo Marino, and seeing Florette, your home for the week, floating tall and proud, with her polished wood & high sails - such a beauty!! Imagine waking up by swimming in the sea, seeing the oranges of each sun rise. Imagine tasting tomatoes, kiwis and melon, sweetened with the Mediterranean sun, the salty depths of local cheeses, ham and salamis, and the vibrancy of fresh juices. Imagine, day and night, hearing the dedication of fellow passengers playing music. Imagine feeling the power of sails, and the movement generated from travel over wind and waves – amazing synchronisation! Imagine how exciting it is, in the evening’s darkness, to precariously step from Florette’s ladder, to her dinghy below, swaying in the waves, with instruments passed over, to visit islands, volcanoes, restaurants and taste local wine, and then to play music together. Imagine being with musicians, who have pied piper abilities – intoxicating crowds with their musical passion and skill, brining joy, exuberance and connection beyond words. Imagine going to sleep, hearing the splash of waves, and the creak of wood – Florette’s night time breathing.

By Charlotte G for Sessions and Sail Aeolian Islands 2025 on Oct 27, 2025

Ticked all the boxes and some. Wonderful time on the boat. Great sailing instruction. Superb music and company with both tutors and fellow guests. Fantastic food and very fresh mackerel. Welcoming island communities and a cheeky distillery flyby. Thank you.