MV Glen Tarsan

MV Glen Tarsan ship and its fleetmate Glen Massan are traditional wooden fishing boats drydock reconstructed into cruise ships. Each boat has max passenger capacity 12 (in 6 double cabins) plus 6 crew/staff. Shipowners Ken Grant and Andy Thoms bought the vessel in 2004. The vessel was constructed in Baltimore (Cork County, Ireland), launched in 1977 and relaunched (as cruise ship) in 2007.

Both Glen Tarsan and Glen Massan have gold-painted funnels. they were built for the Irish fishing fleet by the Irish Government, but the Glen Massan ship was destined to be broken up when her present owners bought and save her from destruction. Then they decided to restore the vessel and transform it into a mini-cruise ship. Glen Tarsan was introduced in 2007 after similar restoration. Glen Massan and Glen Tarsan offer 3- and 6-night round-trip sailings from Oban, Scotland to Argyll and the Hebrides.

Majestic Line is a privately owned cruise company headquartered in Dunoon, Scotland. Established in 2004, it is named after fictional shipping company which features in Neil Munro's Para Handy tales. Majestic Line operates voyages out of Oban to the Islands of Clyde and the Inner Hebrides. The company operates a small fleet of two converted fishing trawlers, plus a 3rd, purpose-built boat looking like a motor yacht from the 1930s.

In 2004 two friends, Ken Grant and Andy Thoms, purchased and converted their first ship, Glen Massan, to a mini liner, sailing from Holy Loch, close to Dunoon to sail the sheltered islands and lochs of Argyll. In May 2007 sister ship Glen Tarsan was introduced to sail from Oban for the Hebrides. The 3rd ship, MV Glen Etive is custom-designed newbuild which was ready to cruise for her 2016 season.

There is a truly Scottish flavour to the family-and-friends-run cruise company, which won Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year category in 2012 Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards. Scottish piper may pipe guests onboard Glen Massan or her sistership Glen Tarsan, each with painted wooden hull and deckhouse that is topped by the polished wooden wheelhouse.

The two classic fishing boats are the cruising equivalent of restored steam trains. And while a 3- or 6-night cruise onboard these vessels is a relaxing experience, don't expect hotel-style suites or top-notch luxury. Instead, the ships feature a home-away-from-home feel, with only 4 crew members who will do almost anything to make everyone's holiday special.

Both Glen Tarsan and Glen Massan have a similar layout. All cabins have double beds, with at least one reserved for solo travellers. Although the staterooms are not hotel-quality, each has freshly laundered duvets, a pile of pillows and tartan rugs for extra warmth. There is also an electric radiator and fan recessed in the ceiling in each cabin. Each cabin boasts a small shower room with a washbasin, toilet, hairdryer and Arran Aromatics toiletries, as well as shelves on each side of the bed and small built-in wardrobes. The cabins below deck only have tiny windows with no view, but most of the time guests are either off the boat visiting quirky villages, walking in beautiful countryside, or exploring castles and the gardens the area is renowned for. The rest of the time cruisers are out on the deck watching for birds and porpoises or sitting in the main saloon and swapping stories with fellow travellers or reading.

Coffee is available whenever a crew member is in the galley. There is also a choice of either afternoon tea or morning coffee with home-baked cakes depending on the itinerary. Wine is complimentary with evening meals, and there is a reasonably priced bar for tasty pre-dinner drinks. Outside the saloon is situated a small wooden deck with table and chairs, as well as wooden sun loungers on the boat's top deck, with a bench on the front deck.