Depart: 10.30am
Return: 4.00pm approx
Cost: £90 per person

The mysterious Flannan islands or Seven Hunters are situated 20 miles, an hour and a half, west of the Isle of Lewis. This group of islands are much less known than St Kilda but still have an intriguing story behind them and support a great variety of wildlife. They are split into 3 groups; the main group, which lie to the northeast, include the two largest islands of Eilean Mor (English; Big Isle), and Eilean Taighe (House Isle). To the south lie Soray (eastward isle) and Sgeir Tomain, the main outcrops westward are Eilean Gobha (isle of the Blacksmith), Roaireim and Brona Cleit (Sad sunk rock).

The First inhabitant was the 7th Century preacher and Abbot St Flann. He left a beehive hut on Eilean Mor. This is also where the infamous lighthouse is situated. Engineered by Mr. D. Alan Stevenson and built in 1899. It was just over a year after commission, on 15th December 1900, when the 3 lighthouse keepers mysteriously disappeared, it is thought they were swept away by a freak wave, there are more romantic theories, but it has never been proven what did happen that night and has become a story that has captured many peoples imagination. The 23m white lighthouse was manned until September 1971 when it became a Major Automatic Light, it is now inspected and serviced annually.

The Flannans provide a nesting site for many seabirds including Fulmers, Storm Petrels, Leach Petrels, Blacklegged Kittiwakes, and every ones favourite, the Puffin, who seem unconcerned by people walking by. On Roaireim there is a gannetry which we cruise by to watch the Gannets soar over head and dive for fish, while seals laze on the rocks watching us. Dolphins are regularly spotted in the vicinity, as well as Minke and Pilot Whales.

Landing on the Flannans is weather dependant and for the more agile as there is no longer any-one to upkeep the slip, although most wildlife and the light house can be easily seen from the comfort of the boat. Please bring packed lunch, warm clothes and waterproofs, hot and cold drinks provided on board.

A passing ship at dawn had brought
The news: and quickly we set sail,
To find out what strange thing might ail
The keepers of the deep-sea light.

The winter day broke blue and bright
With glancing sun and glancing spray
While o'er the swell our boat made way,
As gallant as a gull in flight.

Wilfred Wilson Gibson

Click on the images below for  larger view.