MV Glen Massan

MV Glen Massan and her fleetmate Glen Tarsan are traditional wooden fishing boats drydock-reconstructed into small cruise vessels. Each ship accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers in 6 double cabins, supported by a crew of 6. Shipowners Ken Grant and Andy Thoms purchased Glen Massan in 2004. She was originally built in Baltimore (Cork County, Ireland), launched in 1975, and relaunched as a cruise ship in 2007.

Both Glen Massan and Glen Tarsan have gold-painted funnels. Built for the Irish fishing fleet by the Irish Government, Glen Massan was scheduled to be broken up before her current owners purchased and saved her from destruction. They restored her and converted her into a mini-cruise vessel. Glen Tarsan underwent similar reconstruction and entered service in 2007. Together, the two vessels operate 3- and 6-night round-trip itineraries from Oban, Scotland to Argyll and the Hebrides.

Majestic Line is a privately owned cruise company headquartered in Dunoon, Scotland. Established in 2004 and named after the fictional shipping company in Neil Munro’s Para Handy tales, the line operates voyages from Oban to the Islands of the Clyde and the Inner Hebrides. Its fleet consists of two converted fishing trawlers plus a third purpose-built vessel styled after a 1930s gentleman’s motor yacht.

In 2004, friends Ken Grant and Andy Thoms purchased and converted their first vessel, Glen Massan, into a mini cruise ship sailing from Holy Loch near Dunoon through the sheltered islands and lochs of Argyll. In May 2007, sistership Glen Tarsan joined the fleet sailing from Oban for Hebridean itineraries. The third ship, MV Glen Etive, is a custom-designed newbuild that debuted for the 2016 season.

The company retains a distinctly Scottish character and family-run atmosphere. It won the Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2012 Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards. A Scottish piper may greet guests boarding Glen Massan or Glen Tarsan, each featuring a painted wooden hull and deckhouse topped with a polished wooden wheelhouse.

The two classic fishing boats offer a cruising experience akin to restored steam trains. While a 3- or 6-night voyage aboard these ships is relaxing and intimate, they do not provide hotel-style luxury. Instead, they offer a warm, home-like environment, with a small crew who know the local waters well and strive to make each guest’s holiday enjoyable.

Both vessels have similar layouts. All cabins are fitted with double beds, with at least one typically reserved for solo travelers. Though simple, each cabin includes freshly laundered duvets, multiple pillows, and tartan blankets for warmth. Amenities include a small electric radiator and a ceiling-mounted fan for summer trips. Walls are varnished wood paneling, and each cabin has a compact shower room with toilet, washbasin, hairdryer, and Arran Aromatics toiletries. Storage consists of small built-in wardrobes and bedside shelves. Below-deck cabins have tiny windows with no view, though guests usually spend little time inside—most are ashore exploring villages, walking scenic countryside, or visiting castles and Gulf Stream-warmed gardens. Onboard, travelers often relax on deck watching for porpoises and seabirds or gather in the main saloon to socialize, read, or enjoy meals.

Tea and coffee are available whenever a crew member is in the galley, and depending on the itinerary, guests may enjoy morning coffee or afternoon tea with home-baked cakes. Lunch might feature venison sausages with onion gravy and mash, while dinner could include Argyll lamb or fish sourced from the local Loch Fyne fleet. Wine is complimentary with evening meals, and a reasonably priced bar offers pre-dinner drinks and nightcaps.

Outside the saloon is a small wooden deck with a table and chairs. The top deck features wooden sun loungers, and the forward deck includes a bench—ideal for enjoying the passing scenery.