Scotland by private yacht

Island hopping through the Hebrides

There’s simply no better way to explore Scotland’s coastal beauty than by superyacht, hopping between remote islands in ultimate comfort with the flexibility to explore at will, making the most of the weather and your interests.

Indeed, wherever your passions lie, we’ll create something extraordinary just for you. On past trips, we’ve seen guests search for sharks with conservationists, dine on foraged fare on deserted beaches and enjoy private whisky tastings with master distillers.

We’ve also brought in helis to explore far-off reaches and the likes of ex-Olympians and heads of performance of F1 teams to design wellness programmes, personalised to our guests.

All media taken on Cookson Adventures trips

Catering to the high-end adventure-seeker, Cookson is leading the way in off-the-beaten path travel

October 2019

Unique dining setups

We know the best secret dining spots to pause at, whether it’s a freshly caught seafood picnic on a deserted white sand beach or a bagpiper-serenaded dinner in the remotes of an old stone bothy. For the adventurous, head out with an expert to forage for wild ingredients and dive for scallops, before they’re beautifully prepared by your private chef or as part of a wilderness cooking masterclass.

Special access by sea

From a luxury expedition yacht to a classic Highlands specialist, we know the very best superyachts in the region. Expect the likes of helidecks, expansive hangars and plenty of deck space to sit and soak in those special island views as you hop between islands.

On-land adventures

From wild hiking in the Hebrides and exploring by Land Rover or ATV rage buggies to coastal biking, mountaineering and expert-led bushcraft courses, anchor down to experience Scotland’s off-road adventures at their most natural and impressive. You can even explore Scotland’s epic North Coast 500 by classic cars or spend a night in a luxury camp, indulging with the likes of private massages and fine dining before bedding down under the stars.

Scotland on the water

Whether by kayak, SUP or private RIB, wind your way across to some of Scotland’s greatest geological wonders. Map out dramatic inlets of an uninhabited volcanic archipelago. Paddle through the mouth of a spectacular column-studded sea cave. And, enjoy what is an epic front-row seat to one of the largest whirlpools in the world. Or, just cast out a line for a fishing adventure.

Country pursuits

Do just as the locals do with a full spread of cultural activities to try. From deer stalking and scallop diving to falconry, fishing and even clay pigeon shooting, this is a country that’s fully engaged in its historic and local traditions.

Aerial exploration

Whether it’s island-led heli hops or sky-high adventures, bringing a heli onboard or prepositioning one means the chance to create some truly epic day trips. As well as spectacular vantage points, it could mean special access to world-class biking routes, unique mountain-top lunch setups or natural phenomena like the vivid-blue Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. And, for an adrenaline rush, soar high over the islands on a paramotor.

Historical insights

From abandoned monasteries to medieval abbeys, Scotland’s islands are a precious treasure trove of historic landmarks. With an island expert, take in everything from millennia-old stone circles and dinosaur palaeontology to historic settlements, ancestral castles and one of the UK’s most significantly important religious sites.

Iconic wildlife

Alongside the classic Scottish stags and deer, flung some 50 miles further than the Outer Hebrides, we’ll show you the largest puffin colony in the entirety of the United Kingdom. Then, as well as razorbills in the Shiant Isles and guillemots on the west coast, special sightings of seals, dolphins and even orcas are a possibility in Scotland’s waters. For the adventurous, you can get right in the water with them.

Privatised whisky tastings

We can see you gain exclusive access and private audiences with some of Scotland’s finest distilleries and whisky makers. With the ease of being able to hop between islands, taste your way through world-class single malts with some of the country’s top experts.

Conservation opportunities

From joining red deer researchers in the Small Isles to diving with basking sharks around the Isle of Coll, we have the contacts to take you behind-the-scenes of important local conservation projects.

Given our British heritage, Scotland is our own back yard. So, sailing with us can mean exclusive access to secret anchorages, avoiding marine traffic and exploring truly remote locations.

We’ve brought guests to centuries-old stone bothy houses, where we’ve created beautiful dining experiences of foraged dishes, prepared over the open fire by a top local chef who talked them through the meal. And, we’ve even organised woodland hikes that end with a surprise celebration setup, complete with bagpipes and whisky tastings in a stunning forest clearing.

Of course, it’s a simple joy to sail among Scotland’s cragged islands, looking out for the likes of seals, stags and whales. However, there’s also plenty of the unique. That could be learning about conservation efforts as a family with a local ranger. A romantic luxury camp with masseuses on standby. Or, helicopters to explore further afield. Think soaring over the Isle of Skye’s green-carpeted peaks to land on a remote white-sand beach to race rage buggies on courses set up just for you.

It’s all joined by plenty of Scottish charm, from hopping between privatised whisky distilleries by tender and exploring historic castles with the ancestral owner to joining in with an estate clay pigeon shoot and heading out in a classic Land Rover for an off-road adventure.