Skip to main content
Wild About Lochaber

Wild About Lochaber

where great adventures begin...

Search form

Menu

  • Home
  • Explore
    • Wild Lochaber
    • Ardnamurchan, Moidart & Morvern
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe and Loch Leven
    • The Road To The Isles
    • #WildLochaber Photo Gallery
  • Accommodation
    • Self Catering
    • Caravan & Campsites
    • Hotels and B&Bs
  • Walking
    • Map of All Walks
    • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
    • Arisaig Mallaig and Glenfinnan
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
  • Wildlife
    • Map of Wildlife Sites
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Habitats
  • Things To Do
    • Activity Providers
    • Beaches
    • Castles
    • Destinations
    • Gardens
    • Geology
    • Geopark Rock Route
    • Historic Attractions
    • Museums and Interpretation
    • Railways
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Hotspots
  • Travel
    • Electric Vehicle Charging Points
    • Ferries
    • Petrol Stations
    • The Caledonian Sleeper
  • What's On
    • Calendar
    • Arts, Culture and Community Events
    • Family Friendly Events
    • Walking Events
    • Wildlife & Geology Events
    • Events on Discover Glencoe
    • Road to The Isles & Ardnamurchan
  • Blogs
    • Ardnamurchan Area Blogs
    • Glencoe Area Blogs
    • Lochaber Blogs
    • West Coast Island Blogs
    • Wild About Lochaber Blog

Loch Shiel Wildlife Cruise

  • The Jetty at Acharacle
  • Ben Resipole from Loch Shiel
  • Common Gull
  • Dalilea Pier
  • St Finan's, The Green Isle
  • Wildernesse, a former home of Mike Tomkies
  • Looking North up Loch Shiel from Gaskan
  • The Glenfinnan monument and viaduct
  • Loch Shiel
  • The pier at Glenfinnan
  • The MV Sileas at Glenfinnan
  • Atlantic oak woodland on the shores of Loch Shiel - a temperate rainforest
  • A white tailed eagle seen on a cruise in September 2013
  • A white tailed eagle perched by the side of Claish Moss in September 2013
  • A closer view of one of the white tailed eagle on Loch Shiel
  • The refreshement area aboard the MV Sileas
  • Cruising down Loch Shiel on a misty morning

Details

A lovely cruise along Loch Shiel in Moidart and Ardnamurchan with a knowledgeable and friendly skipper with chances of spotting golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, osprey, black throated diver, red deer and other wildlife.  The skipper provides a good commentary  about the history and culture of the Moidart, as well as being on the look out for local wildlife.  The trip affords some fantastic views of the Green Isle, Ben Resipole and Glenfinnan Monument and Viaduct on a clear day. 

The MV Sileas, captained by Jim Michie, can carry up to 50 passengers and has covered and open decking, as well a below deck saloon.  There is a small selection of light refreshments (including a bar and hot beverages) on board and a pump out toilet. 

There are a variety of short circular  trips available from 1 hour to 2.5 hours on Monday- Friday, with the exception of Wednesday.  The trip to Gaskan offers the opportunity to see the former home of wildlife author and naturalist, Mike Tomkies. 

On Wednesday, you can travel between Glenfinnan (Moidart) and Acharacle (Ardnamurchan), either returning by boat or catching the service bus back.  If returning by boat, there is a short stop-over, giving you an opportunity to visit the shop, cafe and bakery at Acharacle.

We took the afternoon trip from Acharacle to Glenfinnan with Loch Shiel Cruises in June 2011.  It was very interesting cruise with ample opportunity to enjoy the loch and its wildlife.  On this occassion, we saw a golden eagle soaring high amongst the crags.  The bus met the boat at the jetty in Glenfinnan and took us back to Acharacle. 

We took a second trip on a misty morning from Glenfinnan to Acharacle in September 2013.  On that occassion we were lucky enough to see two white tailed eagles perched in trees on the shoreline.

It is a good idea to wrap up warm if you intend to sit out on deck and, if returning by bus, sit at the front of bus, if possible.

A lovely trip on the water on a fine day to explore the wildlife in Moidart and the Ardnamurchan.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM685678
NM901804

Links to useful information

  • Loch Shiel Cruises
  • Loch Shiel Cruises on Facebook (recent sightings)
  • Wikipedia - Mike Tomkies

OS Map

>>view map in full window

Things To Do

  • Things To Do
  • Activity Providers
  • Beaches
  • Castles
  • Destinations
  • Gardens
  • Geology
  • Geopark Rock Route
  • Historic Attractions
  • Museums and Interpretation
  • Railways
  • Wildlife Experiences
  • Wildlife Hotspots

Wildlife

  • Wildlife Overview
  • Wildlife Habitats
    • Woodland
    • Grassland
    • Upland
    • Bog
    • Freshwater
    • Maritime
  • Map of Wildlife sites
  • Wildlife Experiences

Willdife Experiences

  • Crannog Cruise on Loch Linnhe
  • Isle of Eigg
  • Isle of Mull Sea Eagle Adventure
  • Isle of Rum
  • Loch Shiel Wildlife Cruise
  • Loch Sunart Wildlife Ferry to Tobermory
  • Mull Eagle Watch
  • RSPB Glenborrodale Wildlife Walk
  • Scottish Sea Life Santuary
  • Ski Lift to Creag Dbubh
  • Treshnish Isles and Fingal's Cave
  • Whale and Dolphin Wildlife Cruise from Mallaig

Willdife Sites

  • Achnaha Community Woodland
  • Allt Mhuic Nature Reserve
  • Aonach Mor
  • Ardnamurchan Point
  • Ardtornish Wildlife Hide
  • Ariundle Oakwood
  • Camusdarach Beaches
  • Claish Moss
  • Creag Meagaidh NNR
  • Cuil Bay
  • Cul na Croise
  • Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide
  • Glasdrum National Nature Reserve
  • Glen Beasdale SAC
  • Glencripesdale
  • Inchree Red Squirrel Hotspot
  • Isle of Eigg
  • Isle of Rum
  • Kentra Moss
  • Rahoy Hills
  • RSPB Glenborrodale
  • Sanna Bay
  • Shian Wood SWT Reserve
  • Treshnish Isles

Glencoe

Discover Glencoe

Glencoe and Loch Leven

>>

Walking

Walking

Take a Walk on The Wild Side...

with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice

>>

Fort William

Fort William

Fort William, The Outdoor Capital

>>

Wildlife

wildlife

Wildlife

Home to Scotland's Big Five, red deer, golden eagle, otter, red squirrel, seals and so much more. A Wildlife Adventure Awaits.

>>

Ardnamurchan

West Highland Peninsulas

Ardnamurchan and The West Highland Peninsulas

>>

Activities

Activities

Activities

kayaking, wildlife watching, cruising, cycling, golfing, climbing, skiing, slow adventures and many more things to do

>>

Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

>>

Day Trips

Day trips

Day Trps

Take off for the day to see the puffins on The Treshnish Isles, A Day trip to Mull, Skye, The Small Isles, The Most westerly point on the mainland and many more local ideas for a day out

>>

  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Photos and Content Copyright ©2011-2023 Wild About Lochaber - All Rights Reserved

  • Wild About Lochaber on YouTube
  • Wild About Lochaber on Pinterest
  • Wild About Lochaber on Instagram
  • Wild About Lochaber on FaceBook
  • Wild About Lochaber on Twitter
Share/Save