Find new fun in the Scottish Highlands and islands

Caledonian MacBrayne has launched the 2015 editions of its popular Go Explore and Go Days Out travel brochures.

The two publications feature new and exciting opportunities for visitors to Scotland’s west coast highlands, islands and peninsulas with suggestions for great value day and longer trips, to attractions the length and breadth of the west coast.

Go Days Out offers a range of great options to help you enjoy and discover more of the islands and peninsulas of the west coast. From visiting ancient castles to guided wildlife and walking tours, award winning gardens, the chance for close encounters with whales, dolphins, seals and basking sharks, great value family days out or simply relaxing café and supper cruises.

New additions to Days Out this year include sea safaris on Islay, cruises to remote St Kilda, a swimming with seals lagoon experience, wonderful gardens on Colonsay and Ardtornish, historic castles at Inveraray and Dunvegan and much more.

Meanwhile, Go Explore is laden with everything from the summer timetables and pricing, through to tips of how to unearth some of the west coast’s hidden gems – a one-stop guide to help inspire, plan and guide your travel to the west coast Scottish islands.

There are features about the best of Scottish produce and where to find it, special deal vouchers, as well as top tips on planning your Scottish west coast getaway, including accommodation suggestions. There’s new information on taking to the islands by bicycle, as well as a handy guide on where to learn Gaelic, and a special feature from well-known travel writer Robin McKelvie exploring his own special island family holiday.

“Now’s a great time to plan for some Highlands and islands adventures,” said Caledonian MacBrayne’s Commercial Director Cathy Craig. “And Go Days Out and Go Explore offer visitors brilliant hints and tips on where to go, useful travel information and plenty of suggestions for single-day visits through to prolonged holidays.

“The brochures are part of Caledonian MacBrayne’s overall support to communities throughout our network by promoting them to a wide audience, nationally and internationally, hopefully inspiring more people to make the breathtaking Clyde and Hebridean destinations their holiday of choice. Each island has its own unique character and all are worth exploring. It’s so difficult to choose. So let the brochures help you make up your mind.”

Both Go Explore and Go Days Out are available online at www.calmac.co.uk/goexplore and www.calmac.co.uk/daysout. The Go Explore brochure is also available at all VisitScotland visitor information centre, CalMac port offices and vessels, at airports and at major tourism hubs. Go Days Out brochure will also be available at the above destinations in the very near future.

Caledonian MacBrayne is the operator of the UK’s largest ferry network, carrying some 4.65 million passengers and 1.1 million cars on 130,000 sailings in 2014. The company serves a number of mainland to mainland routes, notably on the Mull of Kintyre and the Cowal Peninsula, as well as sailing to 24 island ports and offers access to some of Scotland’s most breath-taking areas.

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