Tall Ships Voyage

Harwich, Essex to Kirkwall, Orkney

UK Sailing Voyage

Harwich, Essex To Kirkwall, Orkney

Voyage No.2

14 Nights
500 Sea Miles

Saturday 13th May
to
Saturday 27th May
2023

£2160

2 Spaces Only

Join The Ship In Harwich at 16.00
Leave Kirkwall 10.00

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HARWICH TRAVEL INFORMATION

KIRKWALL TRAVEL INFORMATION

Covid Policy Information

What’s Included?

Print UK Sailing Holidays 2023

UK Sailing Holiday to Orkney

Sailing Type – Overnight Offshore, Coastal, and Day Sailing

Just a note of thanks for the fabulous time I had aboard Trinovante across the North Sea. I think it mended something in me I hadn’t realised was broken. Of course the reason it’s so good is the way you make us incompetent crew able to share a part of your life.
John

I just want to thank you heaps for the two week sail. It lies within the top three ventures I have undertaken in my 57 years and when you consider the other two were Everest base camp trek and Aconcagua in Argentina I think it reflects on what I experienced with Trinovante. Along with the character of the full crew, I have nothing but praise for the whole experience, very much down to the two of you and the effort you put into the trip.
Lloyd

This voyage may involve several days at sea where you will be part of a watch system on the passage to Orkney. The voyage is expected to take 3 or 4 days but may take longer.
If you have never sailed offshore or at night the two articles below might be of interest.
Offshore Sailing
Standing The Night Watch – an account written by one of the crew.

You can book on any of our UK Sailing Voyages as a complete beginner or an experienced sailor. All the training you need to fully participate onboard is included. You’ll be hoisting sails, steering, and generally participating in all the things that sailors do. That includes watching the sunset in a quiet anchorage at the end of the day.

If you have never sailed before, more information about what to expect from our sailing holidays is here
Learn To Sail
About Life Onboard
Sailing Videos

The schooner Trinovante alongside Halfpenny Pier Harwich

The Voyage To Orkney

You join Trinovante in the historic seaport of Harwich Essex.

From here Kirkwall is just over 500 miles north. Our ideal plan would be to sail straight to Orkney and once up there spend the rest of the time cruising the islands. However, the wind does not always blow in the right direction so a realistic expectation for this voyage would be to plan on a week to get there and a week sailing in Orkney. So…

If the wind is in the right direction we might set sail straight away and not stop until we get to Orkney which would mean three or four nights at sea.

Whitby, Hartlepool, Eyemouth, and Wick are likely places for us to visit along the way if we want to break en-route.

If the wind is against us we might spend a couple of days sailing on the Thames Estuary rivers before sailing north.

Crew hauling on the main halyard on a Tall Ships Sailing Holiday onboard the schooner Trinovante

What To Expect From Being At Sea On Trinovante

The watch system we set on Trinovante depends on the weather, the number of crew on board, and their capabilities. Normally we run two watches.

Trinovante does not have an autohelm so the crew usually takes it in turns to do half an hour at the wheel. Keeping a lookout and occasional sail handling fill the rest of the time. Trinovante only takes a small number of guest sailors which means you are guaranteed plenty of time at the helm.

There will also be time to watch the stars at night, enjoy sunsets and sunrises, and generally get into the rhythm of being at sea.

Usually, there is a bit of a buzz on board at the end of a voyage. We think that comes from everyone feeling part of a team that has achieved something together.

The bows of a sailing ship at anchor with a low sun in the sky

Sailing In Orkney

It is possible we will sail round to Stromness and into Scapa Flow on this leg or we might head North to visit Westray, Stronsay, and Shapinsay as per the details in the voyage notes for Kirkwall to Kirkwall.

Expect a mix of visiting remote island communities, anchoring in out-of-the-way places, and some time exploring wild places ashore. Bring some decent walking shoes.

The British schooner Trinovante in Kirkwall harbour, Orkney

Kirkwall, Orkney

Trinovante finishes this voyage in Kirkwall Harbour which has good travel links.

Kirkwall was established by the Vikings in the 11th Century and first mentioned in the Orkneyinga Viking Saga (also called the History of the Earls of Orkney). We have a copy on board for those who fancy a topical read.

The dominant feature of the town is the cathedral founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in honour of St Magnus who was martyred in Orkney. Otherwise, you can enjoy a wander in the busy shopping centre on the stone slabbed streets, visit the Orkney museum, The Bishops and Earls Palace and of course, there is a distillery in the town.

It is well worth staying a few extra days in Kirkwall if you can. There are lots of day trips worth doing from Kirkwall including several stone circles and two sites run by Historic Scotland – Scara Brae and Maeshowe

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All voyage notes refer only to possible itineraries – where we sail, the type of sailing and passage lengths and the places we call into will be entirely dependent on the wind and weather at the time.

What’s included in the price?

All meals onboard
We provide breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Obviously, if you choose to eat ashore, this is at your own expense. We can cater for most diets, but you must let us know about special diets at the time of booking. We cannot cater for special diets at short notice.
Non-alcoholic drinks
Ships rules are no drinking alcohol at sea or if we are about to sail. This does NOT mean Trinovante is a dry boat – it’s fine to have a drink in the evening when we are at anchor or alongside. We don’t sell alcohol on board so bring your own.
Use of life-jackets and wet weather gear

What is not included in the price?

Your travel to and from the ship.
Every voyage has travel information pages and info about finding the ship in harbour.
Travel insurance
This is compulsory for all voyages apart from Sailing Weekends.
We have a page on Buying Travel Insurance For Sailing Holidays

Have Some More Questions?

Check our Frequently Asked Questions Page or just get in touch for a chat.
It will be Su or John picking up the phone

UK Tall Ships Sailing Holidays 2023

Voyages In Date Order

SchoonerSail

UK Sailing Weekends

October 31, 2019

Fri 5th to Mon 8th May 2023
3 nights £495
A UK sailing weekend to get out on the water in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

View of waves sailing offshore to Norway.

SchoonerSail

Harwich To Kirkwall, Orkney

October 31, 2021

Sat 13th May to Sat 27th May 2023
14 nights £2160
2 Spaces Only
A voyage to Orkney lasting several days with time to sail and explore ashore on arrival.

SchoonerSail Limited

Sailing In Orkney

October 31, 2021

Fri 2nd June to Fri 9th June 2023
7 Nights £1295
1 space only High summer sailing and exploring in the islands of Orkney

SchoonerSail

Orkney to Shetland & Shetland to Orkney

October 31, 2021

Thurs 15th July to Thurs 22nd July FULL
Or
Mon 24th to Mon 31st July 2023 £1295
2 Spaces Only, 7 Nights
A voyage from Shetland to Orkney or Orkney to Shetland Via Fair Isle

Walking ashore on a sailing holiday in Shetland

Sailing In Shetland

November 2, 2021

Wed 28th June to Wed 5th July 2023 £1295
2 spaces only, or
Tues 11th July to Tues 18th July 2023 £1295
7 Nights
A sailing holiday in Shetland with time to explore ashore.

The Schooner Trinovante enters Whitby Harbour on a UK Sailing Holiday. Copyright Alan Green.

Kirkwall, Orkney To Whitby

May 1, 2018

Sat 5th Aug To Sat 13th Aug 2023
8 Nights £1350
Sail south along the Scottish coast to Whitby.

View through a port hole of the sea - taken on a UK Sailing Holiday.

SchoonerSail Limited

Whitby To Harwich

May 1, 2018

Sat 19th Aug to Fri 25th Aug 2023
6 Nights £960
Set sail on the old collier route. Offshore and Coastal Sailing

Southen Pier at sunset with rigging blocks in the foreground

SchoonerSail

Ipswich To London

November 3, 2021

Thurs 31st Aug To Mon 4th Sept 2023
4 Nights £720
Sail on the East Coast rivers and up to the centre of London.

The schooner Trinovante sailing off Felixstowe

London to Harwich

July 8, 2022

Fri 8th Sept To Tues 12th Sept 2023
4 Nights FULL
Sail from the centre of London to the historic port of Harwich.