7 superyachts that have ventured to Scotland

While Scotland may not seem like the most obvious summer destination for superyachts a surprising number have recently been charmed by its dramatic landscapes and picturesque villages. Find out which superyachts have made the effort to venture north and discover Scotland’s natural beauty.

1. Amaryllis

In July 2017, 78.4 metre superyacht Amaryllis was spotted moored up at James Watt Dock Marina in Greenock. Delivered in 2011 by Abeking & Rasmussen, she can accommodate up to 12 guests in six elegant cabins. She boasts a large superyacht pool with coloured lighting alongside numerous lounge areas on deck as well as a piano lounge, circular dining room, private study, sauna and a gymnasium.

Amaryllis has also been spotted in recent years cruising off the Isle of Wight, Formentera, Miami, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

The 65 metre superyacht Lady M has also been spotted cruising in Scotland in May, stopping in Inverary, Loch Fyne, Greenock and Glasgow.

Following last summer's Scotland trend at the end of June was 49.5 metre Exuma. The sleek silver superyacht spent several days moored in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Delivered in 2010 Exuma has visited an impressive array of remote destinations including New Guinea, New Caledonia, Micronesia, Palau, North Borneo, Malaysia and Thailand.

Exuma is not the only superyacht that has visited the remote island this year. The 59.85 metre motor yacht Jamaica Bay was also spotted at the marina in July.

The Danish royal yacht Dannebrog was spotted in Lerwick harbour in the Shetland Islands during an unofficial visit at the end of June 2016. The 83.21 metre yacht, which is one of the largest classic yachts in the world, stopped off after visiting the Faroe islands with the royal family. It is thought that the family had flown back to Denmark before the yacht arrived in Scotland.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark and her husband Prince Consort Henrik are two of our favourite royals at sea. They have been known to explore less well known destinations while on board and last year did a two week summer cruise around Greenland as part of an official state visit to the country.

The 78.5 metre Feadship Hampshire II was spotted in Scotland in June last year. Hampshire II was first pictured in Belfast, reportedly refuelling, before crossing to Scotland’s West Coast.

Delivered in 2012 she was spotted anchored near the village of Lochaline near the mouth of Loch Aline. As well as its picturesque setting Lochaline is also close to some of the world’s best shipwreck dives as SS Hispania, SS Rondo, SS Shuna and SS Thesis all sank in the Sound of Mull.

Galileo G moored in the James Watt Dock Marina in Greenock in June 2016. The sleek 55.2 metre explorer yacht has an iced class hull and was designed to explore the Northwest Passage.

The marina believes it will see a record number of superyachts visiting this summer. “We’re really proud to see such a diverse selection of boats visiting our marina and it is even better because most of the superyachts are visiting on the recommendation of the skippers who have visited over the last few years,” marina manager Graeme Galbraith told local press.

"It’s a real credit to the marina, our staff and contractors that the superyachts see Greenock as a fantastic destination for servicing and crew change and of course the harbour depth of 6.5 metres doesn’t do any harm either.”

One of the largest sailing yachts in the world Eos also moored in Greenock early last year. The 82.6 metre three-masted Bermuda rigged schooner was built for media and movie mogul Barry Diller.

Eos is reported to have spent more than a fortnight docked in the marina before cruising around Scotland with her owner. Fascinated passers by captured pictures of the yacht in various locations around Scotland including the Isle of Sky.

Perhaps the sudden rise in the number of superyachts visiting Scotland is thanks to Eclipse being spotted moored off Greenock in summer 2015. At 162.5 metres Eclipse is the second largest yacht in the world and is famously owned by Roman Abramovich.

Abramovich made the most of Eclipse’s visit to Scotland and spent five days holidaying in the Firth of Clyde. During his vacation on Scotland’s craggy southwest coast he was pictured taking a bike tour and visiting some of Scotland’s best whisky distilleries.