kilda cruises orca

Experience the wild and breathtaking beauty of St Kilda during a day trip with Sea Harris.

Shortest time at sea.

A one-way journey time of only two and a half hours, giving you up to 5 hours ashore.

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A friendly, local crew with in-depth knowledge of the seas and the island's history.

£260 - a deposit of £100 is required to make a reservation and the balance then payable on the day.

Explore St Kilda

One of only 38 locations on the planet to be awarded dual UNESCO World Heritage status for natural and cultural importance, the islands of St Kilda offer visitors a unique and fascinating experience.

With Sea Harris, you can sail past the highest sea cliffs in the UK, teeming with seabirds, and walk along the deserted street of Village Bay, abandoned in 1930 after 2000 years of continuous habitation.

"St.Kilda - a dream come true! I loved this trip – it was a dream come true and I would highly recommend Seumas and Sea Harris." Tripadvisor review May 2018 Read Full Review

"I am immensely grateful to Seumas and the crew of the Enchanted Isle. Vic declared it one of the greatest days of his life! The place is extraordinary. " Bill Bailey - comedian, actor, author Read Bill's Blog

"A trip to St.Kilda was definitely one of the best trips in my life. I must reccommend Sea Harris - my experience is they are reliable, friendly, safe." Tripadvisor review September 2018 Read Full Review

Boat trips to St Kilda run three times per week between April and September, departing from Leverburgh harbour at 8am and returning around 7pm.

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Journey to St. Kilda – What I do for Puffins

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Puffins in the Outer Hebrides

By Ethel DeMarr

As casual “birders”, or more specifically, as lovers of puffins, my husband and I had read that St. Kilda, off the west coast of Scotland, should be on our “bucket list”. Located fifty miles west of the Outer Hebrides, St. Kilda is considered a premier sea bird area, hosting the largest breeding colony of northern gannets in the world, along with puffins. To top it off, it is also a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its cultural history and its natural beauty. The last residents of St. Kilda were evacuated in 1930, leaving a village that eerily still stands. The island is so remote and so difficult to reach, the government deemed it unsustainable. It is the most remote island in all of the British Isles. Where else would puffins hang out?

Just getting to the Outer Hebrides is no small feat. There are several options including flying. Given the weather in that part of the world, even in June, we dismissed that option immediately. That left ferries. One can take ferries from Oban or from Skye. Since we were traveling from southern Scotland, Oban seemed the best option for us. From the comfort of my desk in Arizona, a five-hour ferry ride did not seem so bad. Next time, we would make the shorter crossing from Uig on the island of Skye! Five hours on a ferry, in rolling swells and fog, was most unpleasant if you are not a seasoned sailor – which I am not!

Ethel and Terry DeMarr on Orca III

The next step is to find a tour company that will take you to St. Kilda. After reading some reviews on TripAdvisor and other travel sites, we chose Kilda Cruises on the isle of Harris. Angus Campbell and his family have a fine fleet of fast boats and a good schedule for visiting the island. Because of the uncertainty of the weather and because the fifty-mile trip is across some of the roughest water in all of Great Britain, Angus asks that you plan to spend at least a couple of days on Harris. In case of bad weather, if your scheduled trip cannot depart one day, it might be able to sail the next day. We decided to spend three nights on Harris near Leverburgh (as in Lever Brothers), South Harris, from where the cruises depart.

Otters Crossing

We ferried with our rental car from Oban to South Uist, then made our way to North Uist to catch the ferry to Harris. Once we arrived on Uist, we knew we were not in Kansas anymore! Rarely have we felt more remote. Sparsely populated, the islands are wild, flat and windswept. The “roads” are really single track lanes with wide spots every now and then called “passing places”. Occasionally, you might see a sign for “otter crossings” and often you need to dodge the sheep who seem to wander unfettered. And most signs are in Gaelic, as these islands have the largest population of Gaelic speakers in Scotland. When the sun shines, the long white sand beaches shimmer and the water is so blue you could think you were in the Caribbean. Standing stones, like mini Stonehenge, spot the landscape and remind us that man has been on these remote islands for millenniums.

Orca III Ferry

Early on the day of our departure, we drove to Leverburgh to meet Angus Campbell for our 8 AM voyage to St. Kilda. It was a cold, sunny and windy day. Angus confirmed that we were indeed “a go” for St. Kilda. Other tourists had gathered, all bundled up as if going on an arctic adventure. Everyone carried their packed lunches, as required and water proof clothing, just in case. Angus and his son David asked us to board the Orca III, a fifty-two foot catamaran, with an enclosed, well-appointed cabin. Although there was room for twelve passengers, there were only eight of us that morning. We were excited and optimistic with our comfortable seats, a full safety briefing and an obviously competent and caring crew. The fact that the voyage was three and three-quarters hours had not really registered.

Isle of Harris

It did not take long for the reality of our situation to reveal itself. Once we left the shelter of Leverburgh harbor, the wind and the waves assaulted the Orca III. As the color of my face began to turn green, David opined that it was a relatively calm day for the crossing. Really? Fortunately, the crew were prepared for land lovers like me and had provisions for our needs. I will not attempt to describe seasickness beyond that. You get the picture. Suffice it to say, it was a long trip.

St Kilda to Village Bay

Finally, we neared the island and the little Village Bay where we would anchor. Once protected from the raucous sea swells, I was able to raise my head and behold a small bay and towering cliffs of green and grey rising up dramatically on either side. The sight was stunning! Perhaps the journey had been worth the suffering! I could see the stone village in the middle of this semi circular landscape and I was oh so ready to stand on dry land!

Welcome to St Kilda UNESCO Site

Boats cannot dock at the small pier so we anchored in the bay and took a zodiac to the island. We were glad we had donned our waterproofs as the zodiac offered no protection from chilly splashes. Once on land, we were greeted by a National Trust ranger who gave us a briefing and maps. We would have four hours to wander the island and explore the village. In addition to the National Trust wardens and volunteers, there is a military communications operation evident near the village with the island’s only vehicles.

St Kilda Main Street

I was disappointed to learn that we would not see any puffins on the island. We would have to wait until we returned to the boat and traveled to the giant sea rocks, the “stacks”, behind the island. So with diminished hopes of bird sightings, we set off to the village and its small museum. After a short uphill walk from the pier, we came to the main “street” of the village. The small stone dwellings, similar to crofter homes, seemed rather primitive even for the 1930s. One could imagine that just yesterday Angus or Ian were sitting in front of their house, chatting about the day’s hunting. I tried to imagine what it was like to be forced from your home. Life there may have been harsh but it was the only life they knew.

One house had been transformed into a museum explaining life on St. Kilda. Puffin lovers beware, the St. Kildans lived on sea birds and their eggs. Looking at tiny nooses in the display cabinet, I was disturbed to realize they were puffin nooses. And gannet eggs were a main staple of their diet. Of course, harvesting these delicacies required climbing up the ragged cliffs on the island’s edges. Only the strong and sure footed survived.

Above St. Kilda Village

From the village we began climbing up the slope away from the bay. There was no trail so we just scrambled cross-country. In this area we found the remains of the stone enclosures for sheep and several stone storage huts. While walking towards a stone corral, something large swooped down and hit me in the head! It was a skua or jaeger, a large seabird, similar to seagull. She was angry that I was near her nest. I was not injured but quite startled and anxious to be away from her! But she came at me again. This time I ducked in time, but the swoosh of her furious dive was frightening. We never saw the nest but we made note to avoid that general area!

Looking Towards the Stacks

At the top of the hill, we found ourselves on the edge of a steep cliff over looking the “stacks” and the sea behind St. Kilda. From this point, we could truly see and feel the rugged, remote nature of this tiny island and marvel that it had ever been inhabited! We recalled the story in the museum about the right of passage for young men on the island. They were required to make their own ropes for scaling these bare cliff faces to harvest the seabirds and their eggs. Unsuccessful rope makers were quickly removed from the gene pool!

From this vantage point we could see large numbers of sea gulls and gannets in the air and on the face of the cliff. The gulls seemed to be standing still as they soared in the high winds at the top of our precipice, sometimes just inches above our heads. Gannets demonstrated their aerial superiority as they stalked their prey from lofty heights then suddenly dove into the water. We could watch them all day. We enjoyed this spot for awhile, finally making use of our binoculars. However, even with our quality glasses, we could not see the puffins.

By now, it was time to return to the pier and to our boat. Our time on the island was at an end and we were finally going to see our little auk friends. My excitement was tempered as I thought of being back on the boat! Would I survive another three plus hours afloat? But there were puffins to see so I would survive!

Puffin Watching

Once aboard the boat, it was just a short trip to the “stacks”. We donned our rain gear in order to stand outside on the windy, wet deck for a better view. As we neared these towering craggy rocks, the puffins finally came into view! Their frantic flight is unmistakable. It is almost painful to watch them flap their stubby wings, as if they were not really intended to fly. And on land they are equally ungraceful, waddling like little painted clowns. Indeed, there were thousands of puffins, in the air and on the cliff faces. We sailed around the stacks awed by the size of these sea rocks and by the sheer numbers of sea birds. Although we were never close to the puffins, the sight of such large numbers was thrilling.

Fortunately, as we turned to begin the voyage home, exhaustion set in and I fell fast asleep to dream of this remote and unique place. Our journey to St. Kilda had been well worth the discomfort and the effort.

Read More of Ethel’s Travel Articles :

• Why I Love Scotland and the Kingdom of Fife
• Notes from Cornwall: National Trails and National Trust .
• Notes from Cornwall: Food and Random Thoughts .
• Notes from Africa: Visiting an Elephant Orphanage .

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St Kilda, Outer Hebrides

St Kilda: A Wildlife Cruise In The Outer Hebrides

An Outer Hebridean cruise to St Kilda.

This wonderful, 11 day Outer Hebridean cruise will, if the weather is kind, give us time to explore fabulous St Kilda; the remote Monach Isles; many dramatic islands of the Outer Hebrides; and the spectacular Small Isles. Our starting point is Oban, the gateway to the isles.

Our sea adventure vessels will anchor in scenic, lonely islands, in tranquil bays and, throughout the trip, we see incredible wildlife - soaring sea and golden eagles, many species of sea birds, basking sharks, orca and minke whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals. Aboard our small ships you can do as little or as much as you want. Sit back and enjoy the trip as you travel through the Sounds; pass the islands and sea lochs; view the spectacular mountains and fast running tides that make extraordinary spiral patterns and glassy runs in the sea; marvel at the lofty headland lighthouses and castles; and, if you want, become involved in working the wee cruise ships.

Our ultimate destination is Village Bay, Hirta, on the archipelago of St Kilda - a UNESCO world heritage site. Hirta is the largest of the four islands in the St Kilda group and was inhabited for some 2000 years before the villagers were evacuated in 1930, never to return.

The sea cliffs (the highest in the UK) of the St Kilda islands rise dramatically out of the Atlantic and are the protected breeding grounds of many different sea bird species (gannets, fulmars, Leach's petrel, which are hunted at night by giant skuas, and puffins). These thousands of seabirds were once an important source of food for the islanders. The breathtaking islands of Soay and Boreay have rare, ancient species of feral sheep and the St Kildan wren and field mouse are both unique sub species.

Travelling back from St Kilda, we could stop at a remote anchorage on the Monach or Heisker islands, which lie some five miles west off North Uist and are famous for their wild flowers in the Machair, sandy white beaches and for a huge grey seal colony.

Visit our website to see details of all of our itineraries and to check our calendar for availability.

From £2400 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

April — October

Contact details

• +44 (01631) 564121
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Tour information.

• Oban, Mull and Lorn
• Small Group (1-16)
• Outdoor Activities

Tour prices

From £2400 Per Adult

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour company information

St hilda sea adventures.

St Hilda Sea Adventures provide small ship cruising and wildlife holidays on the beautiful west coast of Scotland. Their cruises, among the breathtakingly beautiful islands, sea lochs and mountains of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, are truly unforgettable adventures for all ages. You can choose to sail aboard their ex-tall ship St Hilda, their ex-cruising lifeboat Gemini Explorer, their ex-Norwegian ferry Seahorse II or their ex-Norwegian rescue ship Speideren. All four ships have been converted to cruise the western islands of Scotland in comfort and style.

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Office is open seven days a week. Cruises are from April to October.

Other tours from this company

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Outstanding Orca Encounter!

Our Wildlife Guide, Lynsey Bland sent in this incredible report on the recent Orca sighting during a St Kilda and Outer Hebrides cruise

Whilst guiding with Hebrides Cruises, I have been lucky enough to have had many incredible wildlife encounters over the years. However, my latest encounter on Emma Jane will be one that I, and all those on board will never forget!

The Emma Jane was making her way across the Minch to the outstanding island of Mingulay when Skipper James spotted a blow, followed by the unmistakeable dorsal fin of an orca, or killer whale. With all alerted, we scanned the sea for these beautiful marine mammals, unaware of the encounter to come. It very quickly became clear that these orca were not John Coe and Aquarius- likely the remaining two of the resident West Coast Community.

Guests and crew alike were delighted when 3 individuals surfaced very close to the bow of Emma Jane, one so close that you could see the whole animal underwater! With the engines off, the group made several very close passes around the Emma Jane and we observed the group hunting or playing with a grey seal. The sound of the blows alone is standout memory from this incredible encounter. We even witnessed two individuals spy-hopping-a behaviour assumed to be the animals having a good look around

Very quickly, one of the females was recognised as Mousa of the Northern Isles population and with help from Steve Truluck, the whole pod was identified as the 19s pod which more commonly frequent the waters around Shetland, Orkney, Iceland and the east coast of Scotland. With matriarch, Mousa and her calf Tide, were bull orca, Gunnar, Summer and Trinkie. It was great to see Summer and Trinkie back in Scottish waters as they weren’t seen with the 19s when they were last identified in Scotland! Mousa was the first individual to be matched to an Icelandic photo ID catalogue and one of the first individuals confirmed to travel between Iceland and Scotland on an annual basis.

Over the years with Hebrides Cruises, I have been lucky enough to witness our resident John Coe and Aquarius on a number of occasions, but to come across a thriving pod of orca, witnessing hunting behaviour and spy hopping in Scottish waters will remain as a standout encounter in my memory forever.

Lynsey Bland, June 2023

Cruise News

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Monday, 1 April 2024

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Tuesday, 6 February 2024

A luxury escape on a Hebridean April Mini-Cruise

Monday, 18 December 2023

News Archive

Thank you to Rob, Sam, Ruari, Abbie and all at Hebrides Cruises, not forgetting the beautiful Lucy Mary for another amazing trip. Graeme was thrilled to achieve his ambition of visiting the original (and best ) St Kilda. We also enjoyed revisiting The Small Isles. A bonus was the weather whist not warm it was mostly dry and whilst we were at St Kilda  we were able to view the magnificent stacs under clear blue skies. Sam's offering from the galley were truly magnificent with an amazing  range of textures and flavours from all over the world. We enjoyed many a chat with Ruari - did you know he could have been a concert pianist? Abbie clearly loves her job and we  hope she continues to look after your guests as well as she did us. Huge thanks to Rob for his skill, diligence and great stories of life on the sea and in the islands.

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St Kilda: A Wildlife Cruise to the Outer Hebrides

Wed 8th july 2026, from £3,600 p/p, 10 nights / 8 spaces, vessel: speideren, departs: dunstaffnage marina, oban.

This wonderful, 11 or 12 day, Outer Hebridean cruise will, if the weather is kind, give us time to explore fabulous St Kilda; the remote Monach Isles; many dramatic islands of the Outer Hebrides; and the spectacular Small Isles. Our starting point is Oban, the gateway to the isles.

Our sea adventure vessels will anchor in scenic, lonely islands, in tranquil bays and, throughout the trip, we see incredible wildlife - soaring sea and golden eagles, many species of sea birds, basking sharks, orca and minke whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals. 

Our ultimate destination is Village Bay, Hirta, on the archipelago of St Kilda  - a UNESCO world heritage site. Hirta is the largest of the four islands in the St Kilda group and was inhabited for some 2000 years before the villagers were evacuated in 1930, never to return.

The sea cliffs (the highest in the UK) of the St Kilda islands rise dramatically out of the Atlantic and are the protected breeding grounds of many different sea bird species (gannets, fulmars, Leach's petrel, which are hunted at night by giant skuas, and puffins). These thousands of seabirds were once an important source of food for the islanders. The breathtaking islands of Soay and Boreay have rare, ancient species of feral sheep and the St Kilda wren and field mouse are both unique sub species.

Travelling back from St Kilda, we could stop at a remote anchorage on the Monach or Heisker islands, which lie some five miles west off North Uist and are famous for their wild flowers in the Machair, sandy white beaches and for a huge grey seal colony.

Throughout the trip we will explore the many wonderful, breathtaking islands of the Outer Hebrides and the Small Islands.

Please note that your voyage is weather dependent. Weather doesn't just mean good or bad weather. There are many considerations such as tidal gates, wind direction and strength, the strength and direction of currents, overfalls, and fetch. Depending upon the weather and nature’s conditions, wildlife viewing varies.  

If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as sea eagle tours or whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request. Excursions and visits ashore are at your own cost.

Some of the places we may visit are:

Oban: Your departure point will be Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina), the gateway to the Hebridean isles. After a short introduction to life on board our small ship we will set sail to our first destination.  Afternoon tea will be served en-route.

Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebridean Isles with its famous whisky distillery and colourful waterfront. You can wander along the streets, visit the delightful local museum, perhaps watch a pipe band, admire the wooden fishing boats and take in the long history of this lovely village.

Rum, the Small Isles: Rum Island is a National Nature Reserve and famous for its herds of red deer and sheer sea cliffs which are home to nesting sea eagles. 

Canna, the Small Isles: Canna is possibly the most beautiful of all the Small islands.There are seabirds galore on the island's high sea cliffs - puffins, shags, razorbills, black guillemots, Manx shearwaters - and breeding there, in the high crags, are sea eagles. There are two lovely beaches, three churches, a tiny ruined castle and a population of less than 20! A short climb up Compass Hill gives wonderful views of Skye and our destination, the islands of the Outer Hebrides.

Castlebay, Barra: Castlebay is a little village on the island of Barra of the Outer Hebrides. Castlebay was where much of the film Whisky Galore was made about the WW II stranding of the S.S. Politician in Eriskay Sound with her cargo of 260,00 whisky bottles! Castlebay was once an important herring curing station and near our anchorage, surrounded by water, is Kisimul Castle, the ancient seat of the MacNeils of Barra.

Berneray: On the way to Berneray, sailing south from Barra, we pass the spectacular uninhabited islands of Sandray, Pabbay and Mingulay. We clearly see the derelict crofts and abandoned house on Mingulay as we pass its Village Bay. If there is not too much Atlantic swell we return north after a circumnavigation of Berneray, passing under the cliffs of famous Barra Head lighthouse.

Vatersay: Anchorage off the beautiful sweeping beach and sand dunes of Vatersay.

Hirta, St Kilda: If the weather is kindly we up-anchor early and head out through the Sound of Pabbay for Hirta, St Kilda. Two nights at anchor on Hirta and a day ashore.

Monach Islands: On the return from Hirta we can anchor off the magical Monach Islands: Ceann Ear, Ceann Iar and Shivinish. The extensive sand dunes are perfect for beach landings by tender and the fairly flat landscape makes easy walking, but with breathtaking views. The islands are all linked at low tide with white sandy beaches and turquoise blue sea surrounding them; an idyllic landscape.

Lochboisdale, South Uist: If the Atlantic is being too unfriendly for St Kilda, from Barra we will head north, up the island chain, pass the Sound of Barra and the islands of Hellisay and Gighay, to our next quiet anchorage in Lochboisdale on South Uist. We can explore the incredible endless beaches and flower-rich Machair of the islands of South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist.

Loch Skipport, South Uist: We will cruise along mountainous, eastern island shores towards the remote and beautiful anchorage Loch Skipport - one of the classic Hebridean anchorages, dominated by wild Hecla, South Uist's second highest mountain (606m). 

Loch Drumbuie: Just south of Oronsay island, another Inner Hebridean island, lies secluded Loch Drumbuie. A squeeze between high sided cliffs and we are in a perfectly sheltered anchorage. We can spend a tranquil night here.

Loch Spelve: The anchorage in this sheltered loch, which is surrounded by an ancient oak forest, gives us unparalleled views of the mountains of Mull. There are resident otters along its shoreline. 

Upcoming sailings for this cruise

Dates don't suit.

Get in touch and we will do our best to meet your requirements

Reasons to book

• Extraordinary wildlife cruises
• Skipper & chef included
• Hoist the sails
• Great value for money
• Cruises through Scottish Canals
• Maximum of 11 guests per cruise
• Breakfast, snacks, lunch & dinner
• Organised whisky tours for free
• A perfect adventure for all ages
• Art & photography cruises with free specialist tutors
• Cruises with wildlife guide for free

Beautiful journey. Great food. Splendid weather. Thomas, May 2023

St Kilda: A Wildlife Cruise to the Scottish Outer Hebrides

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£2450.0

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• Rum, the Small Isles
• Canna, the Small Isles
• Castlebay, Barra
• Hirta, St Kilda
• Monach Islands
• Lochboisdale, South Uist
• Loch Skipport, South Uist
• Loch Drumbuie
• Loch Spelve

This wonderful, 11 or 12 day, Outer Hebridean cruise will, if the weather is kind, give us time to explore fabulous St Kilda; the remote Monach Isles; many dramatic islands of the Outer Hebrides; and the spectacular Small Isles. Our starting point is Oban, the gateway to the isles.

Our sea adventure vessels will anchor in scenic, lonely islands, in tranquil bays and, throughout the trip, we see incredible wildlife - soaring sea and golden eagles, many species of sea birds, basking sharks, orca and minke whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals.

Our ultimate destination is Village Bay, Hirta, on the archipelago of St Kilda - a UNESCO world heritage site. Hirta is the largest of the four islands in the St Kilda group and was inhabited for some 2000 years before the villagers were evacuated in 1930, never to return.

The sea cliffs (the highest in the UK) of the St Kilda islands rise dramatically out of the Atlantic and are the protected breeding grounds of many different sea bird species (gannets, fulmars, Leach's petrel, which are hunted at night by giant skuas, and puffins). These thousands of seabirds were once an important source of food for the islanders. The breathtaking islands of Soay and Boreay have rare, ancient species of feral sheep and the St Kilda wren and field mouse are both unique sub species.

Travelling back from St Kilda, we could stop at a remote anchorage on the Monach or Heisker islands, which lie some five miles west off North Uist and are famous for their wild flowers in the Machair, sandy white beaches and for a huge grey seal colony.

Throughout the trip we will explore the many wonderful, breathtaking islands of the Outer Hebrides and the Small Islands.

Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected] ) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.

Gemini Explorer

Gemini Explorer, a mini cruise ship,  is a historic, converted cruising lifeboat that once roamed the Western Approaches and was involved in the storm of the ill-fated 1979 Fastnet Race. Gemini Explorer was built in 1974 in Bideford Shipyard as the City of Bristol (70-003), one of three, Clyde class, cruising lifeboats (see Wikipedia) with an extended offshore range of 1700 miles. She is powered by two powerful Gardner diesel engines and she will achieve speeds of up to twelve knots. The Gemini Explorer entered service at the Clovelly Lifeboat Station on the North Devonshire coast and, after saving 44 lives, was finally retired in 1989. Since then, after extensive re-fits and modifications (including a new galley, high bulwarks, viewing top deck, en-suite accommodation and a well lit saloon), she has been converted to a mini cruise ship and today sails as the Gemini Explorer. However, there are parts of the insides of the vessel that have been kept in their original state to give an exciting insight in to role she once played as a cruising lifeboat. As a mini cruise ship she has voyaged as far away as Greenland and, for the last 10 years, sailed as a charter vessel on the east coast of Scotland. In 2020 after a further refit and upgrade she will be sailing the beautiful islands and sea lochs of Scotland’s west coast as part of St Hilda Sea Adventures little fleet.

Accommodation The deck saloon is where everyone dines and socialises and where everyone enjoys a convivial atmosphere that is encouraged by shipboard life aboard this ex-cruising lifeboat. Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the forward part of the vessel there is a double en-suite, a twin en-suite and single en-suite. In the aft part of the vessel there is a cabin which can sleep up to three guests (choice of one double bed and two single berths). This aft cabin shares the bathroom with the two crew. All en-suites and the bathroom have a washbasin, toilet and shower. All cabin linen and towels are supplied. There is an upper viewing deck complete with teak benches and perfect for spotting wildlife and relaxing. You also have some deck space to embark your own equipment such as kayaks and paddleboards. You will also be able to use the onboard two person sea kayak.

Seahorse II

Seahorse II (82 feet long and a beamy 23 feet)  was built to the highest standard for the Norwegian fjords and life in the high northern latitudes. A 10mm Swedish steel hull, air conditioned and heated throughout, and winter sailing for the British Royal Navy for months at a time in the western approaches means that this wee cruise ship is more than enough for these summer adventures in the Gulf Stream warmed waters of the west coast of Scotland. Powerful enough to cruise the many spectacular islands and lochs of the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides, yet small enough to anchor in remote and hauntingly beautiful places that the larger passenger ships are unable to visit. With a maximum speed of 11 knots (from a 350 hp Volvo diesel) Seahorse II is a sturdy, go-anywhere, yet comfortable adventurer.

Accommodation 2019  Seahorse II takes a maximum of eleven guests. There are two NEW double (or twin) en-suites and two twins, three single cabins, one with a 105 cm wide bed, all temperature controlled and with washbasin. All cabin linen and towels are supplied including luxurious towelling dressing gowns for the cabins with no en-suite. There is a wonderful deck saloon where we dine and view the spectacular Hebridean wildlife. A bridge full of the best navigational aids, a high foredeck for wildlife spotting and a boat deck for lounging, she is the perfect vessel for your life afloat. On the spacious aft deck (ideal for alfresco dining when the boat is at anchor or under way) we have a powerful little crane for launching Seahorse's two dinghies, two sea kayaks and paddle board. Here there is also plenty of room for your windsurf and kitesurf gears, diving gear, sailing dinghies and anything else you need for a great Scottish sea adventure.

Your Crew 

You will have a crew of three taking you on your Scottish mini cruise. Your professional skipper is passionate about boats, sailing, and the natural environment of the islands and sea lochs of the Hebrides and Argyll. He is more than happy to share his knowledge of the area to those on board while ensuring his shipmates have as much fun as possible. You will have your own on board chef who provides wonderful meals, locally-sourced and freshly prepared from the galley and a bosun/crewmember who will be there to provide assistance whenever you will need it.

Speideren – An ex-Norwegian Rescue Ship

Speideren, 75 feet long with a cruising range of 4,000 nautical mile, was built in Norway in 1969 as a Rescue Ship (one of 13 such vessels) for the NSSR - the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue. Sturdily built with two powerful, reliable engines, a mighty hull, deep keel and strong superstructure, Speideren (which is Norwegian for “Scout”) worked the unpredictable waters of the North and Arctic Seas, rescuing and towing many a crippled vessel.

Following decommissioning, in 1994 a conversion was carried out to create a fast, luxurious cruising vessel for a private owner and very recently further improvements have been made which include a viewing deck, en-suite accommodation, and a well-lit deck saloon. Today Speideren makes an ideal small cruising ship for taking guests of all ages comfortably, swiftly and safely on adventures to the remote inlets and lochs of Scotland’s Wild Isles, travelling as far away as St Kilda in the Atlantic Ocean. 

En-suite Accommodation

The saloon is where everyone dines and socialises and where everyone enjoys a convivial atmosphere that is encouraged by shipboard life aboard this ex-Norwegian Recue Ship. Cabins are warm and comfortable, with eight berths in four cabins that are situated in the forward part of the vessel. The three double and one twin en-suite cabins, intimate and mellow, are fitted out in traditional varnished hardwood with soft antique light. Two of the cabins are especially spacious and luxurious with granite washbasins and polished brass taps! All the bunks are soft and comfortable and all cabin linen and towels are supplied. 

The decks are spacious with comfortable seating on the sheltered after deck for comfortable wildlife observing. You also have plenty of deck space in which to bring your own equipment such as kayaks and paddleboards. There is an on board tender in which the crew takes you safely ashore to visit the villages and remote parts of Wild Scotland.

Your professional skipper is passionate about boats, sailing, and the natural environment of the islands and sea lochs of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. He is more than happy to share his knowledge of the area to those on board while ensuring his shipmates have as much fun as possible. You will have your own on board chef who provides wonderful meals, locally-sourced and freshly prepared from the galley and a bosun/crewmember who will be there to provide assistance whenever you will need it.

The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

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Pages:  379-406

In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

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Serial Killer Quick Reference Guides

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Sergei Ryakhovsky

The balashikha ripper, the hippopotamus,   active for 6 years (1988-1993) in russia, confirmed victims, possible victims.

• Serial Killer Profile
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• Characteristics
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Sergei Ryakhovsky (Sergei Vasilyevich Ryakhovsky) a Soviet-Russian serial killer known as the Balashikha Ripper and The Hippopotamus. Ryakhovsky was convicted for the killing of nineteen people in the Moscow area between 1988 and 1993. Ryakhovsky's mainly stabbed or strangulated his victims, he mutilated some bodies, mainly in the genital area. Allegedly Ryakhovsky carried out necrophilic acts on his victims and stole their belongings. Ryakhovsky standing 6’5" tall and weighting 286 pounds, gaining him the nickname, The Hippo. Sergei Ryakhovsky died on January 21st 2005 from untreated tuberculosis while serving his life sentence in prison.

Sergei Ryakhovsky Serial Killer Profile

Serial Killer Sergei Ryakhovsky (aka) the Balashikha Ripper, The Hippopotamus, was active for 6 years between 1988-1993 , known to have ( 19 confirmed / 19 possible ) victims. This serial killer was active in the following countries: Russia

Sergei Ryakhovsky was born on December 29th 1962 in Balashikha, Moscow Oblast, Soviet Union. He had a physically defect. During his education he had academic, social or discipline problems including being teased or picked on.

Sergei Ryakhovsky a necrophile male citizen of Russia.

Prior to his spree he had killed, commited crimes, and served time in jail.

In 1988 (Age 25/26) Sergei Ryakhovsky started his killing spree, during his crimes as a serial killer he was known to rob, commit acts of necrophilia , torture , strangle , rape , mutilate, and murder his victims.

He was arrested on April 13th 1993 (Age 30), sentenced to death by firing squad at a maximum-security penal colony in Solikamsk, Perm Oblast, Russia. He was convicted on charges of murder and other possible charges during his lifetime.

Sergei Ryakhovsky died on January 21st 2005 (Age 42), cause of death: natural causes, untreated tuberculosis at a maximum-security penal colony in Solikamsk, Perm Oblast, Russia.

Profile Completeness: 62%

Sergei Ryakhovsky has been listed on Killer.Cloud since November of 2016 and was last updated 4 years ago.

Sergei Ryakhovsky a known:

( 651 killers ) serial killer.

The unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s), in separate events. Serial Killer as defined by the FBI at the 2005 symposium.

( 308 killers ) RAPIST

Rape is usually defined as having sexual intercourse with a person who does not want to, or cannot consent.

( 60 killers ) NECROPHILIAC

Necrophilia, also called thanatophilia, is a sexual attraction or sexual act involving corpses. Serial Killer Necrophiliacs have been known to have sex with the body of their victim(s).

( 89 killers ) TORTURER

Torture is when someone puts another person in pain. This pain may be physical or psychological. Tourturers touture their victims.

( 251 killers ) STRANGLER

Strangulation is death by compressing the neck until the supply of oxygen is cut off. Stranglers kill by Strangulation.

Sergei Ryakhovsky Serial Killer Profile:

Updated: 2019-06-30 collected by killer.cloud, 8 timeline events of serial killer sergei ryakhovsky.

The 8 dates listed below represent a timeline of the life and crimes of serial killer Sergei Ryakhovsky. A complete collection of serial killer events can be found on our Serial Killer Timeline .

Back to top Serial Killers Active During

The following serial killers were active during the same time span as Sergei Ryakhovsky (1988-1993).

Terry Blair 7 Victims during 23 Years

Gregory brazel 3 victims during 9 years, damaso rodriguez martin 3 victims during 11 years, valery asratyan 3 victims during 3 years, serial killers by active year, books that mention sergei ryakhovsky.

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External References

• Sergei Ryakhovsky on en.wikipedia.org , Retrieved on Sep 18, 2018 .
• Juan Ignacio Blanco , Sergei Vasilyevich RYAKHOVSKY on murderpedia.org , Retrieved on Sep 18, 2018 .
• Q372816 on www.wikidata.org , Retrieved on Oct 9, 2018 .

Sergei Ryakhovsky is included in the following pages on Killer.Cloud the Serial Killer Database

• #3 of 45[ Page 1 ] of Serial Killers with birthdays in December
• #10 of 60[ Page 1 ] of Serial Killer Necrophiliacs sorted by Confirmed Victims
• #10 of 29[ Page 1 ] of Serial Killers active in Russia
• #10 of 55[ Page 1 ] of Capricorn Serial Killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
• #11 of 89[ Page 1 ] of Serial Killer Torturers sorted by Confirmed Victims
• #27 of 250[ Page 2 ] of Serial Killer Stranglers sorted by Confirmed Victims
• #35 of 307[ Page 3 ] of Serial Killer Rapist sorted by Confirmed Victims
• #63 of 651[ Page 5 ] of serial killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
• #264 of 651[ Page 18 ] of serial killers sorted by Years Active
• #381 of 651[ Page 26 ] of serial killers sorted by Profile Completeness
• #516 of 651[ Page 35 ] of the A-Z List of Serial Killers

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Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Bykovo Manor
• Balashikha Arena
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Pekhorka Park
• Saturn Stadium
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center

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ST KILDA - WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The St Kilda group of islands looms from the Atlantic fifty miles west of Harris. As the remotest part of the British Isles they are a world apart from our everyday lives and one of the most important seabird colonies in Europe. The spectacular cliffs and sea stacks are a dream destination for ornithologists with puffin, fulmar, guillemot and of course gannets - the islands have the largest population in the world.

Click here to find out more about wildlife that can be seen on our trips.

The extraordinary human history of St Kilda is carefully preserved in the Village with its neat little street of cottages. These are available for the visitor to explore as well as the Church, School and Feather Store. There is also a museum with a permanent exhibition of St Kildan life up to the poignant evacuation in 1930. From far longer ago, there are a number of interesting archaeological sites dotted around the islands which give an insight to a way of life in this incredibly inhospitable environment.

Click here to read more about the fascinating history of St Kilda.

Photo courtesy of the National Trust for Scotland

Boat Trips to St Kilda

These are weather dependent and  run from Leve rburgh, Harris.

7.45am - Passengers to arrive at Leverburgh P ier

8am- Depart Leverburgh, Harris  

10.45am (Approx) - Arrive St Kilda

Passengers are greeted by a National Trust for Scotland warden and are then free to explore the island at their leisure. Each passenger receives a map of Hirta detailing points of historical interest, and a suggested route to take for a tour on foot. The church, schoolroom and museum are available and well worth a visit to discover more about the unique way of life of the islanders.

3.30pm - Return to vessel for tea, coffee and fresh homebaking

4.00pm - Depart Village Bay for tour of the stacks and Boreray

We will also tour the towering stacks around the islands revealing the awe inspiring scale of the cliffs and the colonies of sea birds circling high above.

5.00pm -  Depart Boreray for Leverburgh

7.30pm (approx) Arrive at Leverburgh, Harris

*Remainder of the balance is payable on the vessel.

2024 price for the trip - £285 p/p / £255 p/p 14 and under

To confirm your booking, a deposit of £100 per person is required which will be refunded if we are unable to undertake the trip due to adverse weather, etc.

The remainder of the balance is payable on the day of the trip. Payments are taken on board the boat by card or cash.

Please note that there is no catering available at St Kilda and passengers must bring food for the day. Tea and coffee are provided free of charge on board.

Children are welcome on Kilda Cruises, however parents are reminded that St Kilda is one of the remotest locations in the country and are asked to exercise their own judgement. We do not recommend that children under 10 travel, but please contact us to discuss this if you are unsure.

Dress in warm, waterproof clothing and wear suitable footwear for walking about the island, as the ground can be quite wet.

Due to the fragile animal and plant life of the islands, strictly no pets allowed.

If you have any further queries please see our  Frequently Asked Questions  page. For any other information do not hesitate to  contact us . 

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