The ultimate staycation.

Published 12 June 2020

FAIR LADY in the Western Isles

FAIR LADY, an exquisite 36.9m (121.1ft) yacht built in Britain in 1928, is coming home for the summer.

Captain David Richardson has been at the historic helm of FAIR LADY since 2008 and last cruised her around the Western Isles in 2015
Captain David Richardson has been at the historic helm of FAIR LADY since 2008 and last cruised her around the Western Isles in 2015

Thanks to sensitive restoration and immaculate maintenance, she is a floating time capsule packed with period features, from her original ship's wheel on its gleaming brass binnacle to Bakelite telephones. She is redolent of a gentler, more carefree era, but also offers the convenience of modern communications and technology.

The inside outside life

Well suited to the capricious Scottish weather, she has an excellent blend of inside and outside spaces.

Covered open air dining on the main deck aft
Covered open air dining on the main deck aft
More open air dining on the upper deck aft
More open air dining on the upper deck aft
Sun loungers and a huge sunpad on the upper deck aft
Sun loungers and a huge sunpad on the upper deck aft
A Parisian bench arcs elegantly around the main deck aft
A Parisian bench arcs elegantly around the main deck aft

Should the weather turn, there are plenty of welcoming spaces to enjoy inside.

Sip your aperitif around the green baize table in the card room, sporting the original pearwood marquetry
Sip your aperitif around the green baize table in the card room, sporting the original pearwood marquetry
Dine in the mahogany panelled dining room, the beating heart of the yacht
Dine in the mahogany panelled dining room, the beating heart of the yacht
Adjourn to the relaxing main saloon to continue the conviviality with your digestif
Adjourn to the relaxing main saloon to continue the conviviality with your digestif
The full beam master suite oozes character and period styleThe full beam master suite oozes character and period style
The full beam master suite oozes character and period style

She welcomes eight guests in five characterful cabins, a double cabin and twin cabin aft, the full beam master suite midships, all en suite, and two single cabins forward sharing a bathroom.

Natural beauty

Imagine cruising this yacht amid the wild, romantic beauty of the Western Isles, some of the most stunning, unspoilt scenery Britain has to offer. Dramatic steep scree-sided lochs give way to rolling acres of Scots pine and sunlit golden sand beaches, deserted and inaccessible except by yacht. Take up the binoculars to spot seals lounging on rocks, eagles and ospreys circling overhead, puffins chattering along the rugged cliffs.

A breathtakingly beautiful scene of the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye
A breathtakingly beautiful scene of the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye
Scotland has some phenomenal beaches like Seilebost on the Isle of Harris
Scotland has some phenomenal beaches like Seilebost on the Isle of Harris
In 1829, the unique echoes created by the basalt pillars that form Fingal's Cave on Staffa inspired Felix Mendelssohn to write his Hebrides Overture
In 1829, the unique echoes created by the basalt pillars that form Fingal's Cave on Staffa inspired Felix Mendelssohn to write his Hebrides Overture
Wildlife, like this osprey, thrives in these remote lochs and isles
Wildlife, like this osprey, thrives in these remote lochs and isles

Celebrate in Highland style

How could you improve this immersive experience? Combine your charter with a stay at Laudale House.

Laudale, seen lower right, commands the shores of the spectacular Loch Sunart
Laudale, seen lower right, commands the shores of the spectacular Loch Sunart

Dating from the late 18th Century and sympathetically refurbished to an exceptional standard, Laudale House is at the heart of a private estate nestling alongside Loch Sunart.

Stalking in the Highlands is an unforgettable experience
Stalking in the Highlands is an unforgettable experience
Scotland has some of the finest fishing in the world
Scotland has some of the finest fishing in the world

Laudale is the perfect base for diversions like golf, whisky tasting at several local distilleries, deer stalking, shooting, fishing, mountain biking and hiking in this dramatic landscape. The house welcomes 20 guests in 10 en suite rooms, making it ideal for a special celebration before or after your charter.

Arrive by seaplane

Laudale is accessible by car and helicopter, but for an added dash of elan, why not arrive in the country's only commercially operating seaplane.

Spirit of Laudale can fly eight guests from anywhere in the UK to join FAIR LADY or the Laudale estate
Spirit of Laudale can fly eight guests from anywhere in the UK to join FAIR LADY or the Laudale estate

The Spirit of Laudale, a Cessna 208 able to operate on land and water, can carry up to eight passengers and their luggage from anywhere in the UK to FAIR LADY. What better way to start your charter?

The FAIR LADY crew will give you a staycation like no other this summer
The FAIR LADY crew will give you a staycation like no other this summer

Sample itinerary

The sunlit ruins of Gylen Castle on the Isle of Kerrera
The sunlit ruins of Gylen Castle on the Isle of Kerrera

Oban-Oban.  Approx. 405nm

  • Day 1 - Oban to Iona
  • Day 2 - Iona to Kentra
  • Day 3 - Kentra to Inverie
  • Day 4 - Inverie to Stein
  • Day 5 - Stein to Eilean Donnan
  • Day 6 - Eilean Donnan to Drumbuie
  • Day 7 - Drumbuie to Kerrera
  • Day 8 - Kerrera to Oban
Once reopened, the stunning Caledonian Canal will present an utterly compelling cruising prospect for your FAIR LADY charter
Once reopened, the stunning Caledonian Canal will present an utterly compelling cruising prospect for your FAIR LADY charter

Opened in 1822, the Caledonian Canal is one of the most fascinating waterways in Europe. From the impressive Neptune's Staircase locks at Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east, the canal system is about 60 miles in length, 22 miles are man-made and the remaining 38 miles are made up of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness. It was built to provide a short cut between the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, avoiding the hazardous Pentland Firth on the north coast of the Scottish mainland. 

All in all, you could be enjoying an unforgettable summer cruising though nature's finest in impeccable historic style on board FAIR LADY. Dine on exceptional produce including the world's finest seafood and top it off with a special celebration on a private Scottish estate - even the flight there will be memorable. Nothing could be finer.

To find out more and to start building your unique experience, please contact your Burgess broker.


To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.

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