Travel: Curanta Cridhe, Oban

I was lucky. The weekend I sailed Curanta Cridhe – it means Brave Heart in Gaelic – around the west coast there was blistering sunshine and the hills, towns and crumbling fortresses we passed along the way were bathed in the most glorious, decidedly unScottish, light.

But I couldn’t help but think that, even on more murky days, when the sky turns grey then purple as it threatens a storm, the passing landscape would still be stunningly, hauntingly beautiful. Perhaps more so. Such is the 
romance of sailing.

Curanta Cridhe is a 50-foot luxury catamaran berthed at Dunstaffnage, just outside Oban. She has the tallest mast in the entire marina and makes quite an impression on even the most clueless of landlubbers. My, this baby is yar.

Crewed by seasoned sailors Mike and Clara (he’s crossed the Atlantic single-handed; she’s worked on superyachts for 13 years), the twin hull means it is much more steady than traditional monohull boats, so even when things get choppy out there, the boat holds still. Our plan is to sail around the island of Kerrera, passing Oban, and perhaps spotting some wildlife as we go, and then we’ll put down anchor for the night in a peaceful bay where the waters are still, and have dinner. n

WINING AND DINING? At 5.30pm on the dot the champagne cork pops and our evening begins in earnest. There are nibbles – little goats’ cheese crostini, olives and bread sticks – followed by Caesar salad, cod steaks with a pesto crust, new potatoes and seasonal asparagus, then bananas baked in rum with mascarpone cheese, all eaten on deck under the sinking sun, as a curious seal pops out of the water to investigate the visitors. Clara is in charge of the food on board and, having cooked professionally for eight years, knows her way round the small but perfectly equipped galley. Breakfast the next day – again, eaten on deck in the balmy morning sunshine – is delicious fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, cereals, pastries, toast and eggs cooked to order. The rest of the time there are unlimited cups of tea and coffee, bottles of water, cereal bars, fruit and snacks.

ROOM SERVICE? Curanta Cridhe is a six-berth craft with exceptionally comfortable beds and elegant en-suite shower rooms. You many not be in a luxury hotel, so space is obviously at a premium, but no expense has been spared in providing all the extras luxury passengers might expect: air conditioning and heating; uber comfy beds; docking stations; complimentary toiletries; bathrobe and slippers. Upstairs there is a TV, DVD and sound system.

WORTH GETTING OUT OF BED FOR? The porpoises that leap out of the water to say hello (then disappear just as quickly, terrified by my squeals of excitement), the glorious hills in the distance, the castles and rugged coastline. If I was on board longer we could go further – whale spotting perhaps, or even stop off at Britain’s most remote pub, The Old Forge at Knoydart. Or you can just lie back on the trampoline and wave companionably to passing yachts, listening to the gentle waves and the water break as the occasional cormorant dives for its lunch.

BUDGET OR BOUTIQUE? This is definitely at the boutique end of sailing, and it’s as bespoke as you want it to be. Fancy wildlife spotting? These guys know exactly where to take you. A deserted beach for a barbecue or picnic? You’re the boss.

LITTLE EXTRAS? The admiring glances from those on shore tell you all you need to know.

GUESTBOOK COMMENTS? Sailing allows you to see Scotland in a different light and it is all the more beautiful for it. Do it from the deck of a luxury catamaran and you know you have arrived.

• From £425 per cabin per night; whole boat charter £1,200 per night, full catering and crew included. Curanta Cridhe is also available for day charters (www.capriceyachtcharter.co.uk)