The Malts Cruise 2012 will start from Oban on 7 July and finish in Tobermory on 20 July.  The cruise will take a more northerly route in 2012, providing an opportunity to visit Skye.  The full programme will be available in December, when you will be able to book online.

As the crews and yachts of the 2011 Malts Cruise gathered in Port Ellen, Islay for the final function of the rally, it was a chance to say farewell to friends. Over the last two weeks of sailing and cruising around the inner Hebrides, firm friendships have been formed as the rally spirit has developed throughout the fleet and the group now assembling in Islay were true friends.

For those exploring Loch Tarbet for the first time, "remote" seems an understated way to describe this superbly rugged sea loch that almost cuts the large island of Jura in two. Nearly ten miles long, divided into three smaller lochs and surrounded by wild country reaching up to the high Paps of Jura, it is a stunning environment which at first glance seems unchanged since the glaciers retreated leaving the strange raised beaches along its shoreline. It was here, past the rocky narrows of Cumhann Mor, in the large secure anchorage of the second loch, that the Malts Cruise yachts gathered for the second fleet rendezvous.

The format of the Malts Cruise includes a series of fleet rendezvous during the cruising period; a chance for the sailors to socialise, swap stories on their cruising adventures and plan their next few days. Rum, the largest of the "small isles", proved to be a great location for the first of two cruise get-togethers.

Voyaging to new places and discovering the unique culture, wildlife and single malt whisky of the Western Isles is the essence of the Malts Cruise. Since departing Oban a week ago, this is exactly what the 2011 Malts Cruisers have been doing.

The Malts Cruise 2011 is now underway, and the international fleet of 36 boats from 8 nations are enjoying their first free cruising period around Mull and the Small Isles.

The Cruise set off on Sunday 10 July in bright sunlight, accompanied by the haunting music of the bagpipes.  The fleet sailed around Oban Bay with all flags flying, following Spray of Wight with the piper onboard, before heading off to Tobermory.

Read on for more stories from the start of the Malts Cruise.

The Malts Cruise programme is taking shape, with a wide range of activities from guided walks to distillery visits taking place in Oban, Tobermory, Isle of Rum, Loch Tarbert Jura, Lagavulin and Port Ellen.  Something for everyone on the Malts Cruise 2011!

The entry list for the Malts Cruise 2011 only opened on 8 January, but there are already 19 confirmed participants.   Entries will be capped at 50 boats this year to keep the anchorages peaceful and the party sizes convial.  We've moved the closing date for entries to 30 April 2011, so don't miss out!

Boats vary from 9.8m Rival 32 Moshulu (GBR) to Jeanneau 48 Island Air (GBR), and include motorboat Mast Climber (GBR).  Any boat can enter as long as it has at least two people onboard and can cope with the conditions on the route.  In past Classic Malts Cruises we even had a seaplane!

The Malts Cruise 2011 will be open for entries on Saturday 8 January, so see the new web page www.worldcruising.com/maltscruise for full information.
All entries will be online via our secure payment system, making joining the Malts Cruise quick and simple.
We look forward to seeing you in July!