About Us

Hebridean Sea Tours was established in 2014 by Angus MacNeil.  Angus was born and raised in Barra and a career as a Merchant Navy Officer grew from his love of being in boats from a very young age. During his school summer holidays he would often be found helping out on his father’s charter boat Sussie Anna, giving tours to Mingulay and its surrounding islands. A fully qualified Merchant Navy Electro Technical Officer Angus has also held the post of full time mechanic/emergency Coxswain on the Barra lifeboat, a position previously held by his father John Allan. This background and life long experience has developed a wealth of knowledge of the waters around the Western Isles. In additional to his technical qualifications Angus is also a Certified Commercial Skipper, licenced and insured to carry paying passengers.

The key Hebridean Sea Tours team includes Ranald MacLean, Margaret Ann MacNeil, John MacDougall and Neil MacLean.

Ranald MacLean was born and raised on the Isle of Barra, and has recently taken early retirement after serving a long career as a Master Mariner in the Merchant Navy, sailing all over the world. Ranald is now the Lifeboats Operations Manager/Coxswain for Barra Island Lifeboat Station and helps skipper and crew our boats in the summer months, his knowledge of all matters related to the sea are hard to beat.

Margaret Ann is often the first point of contact for people wishing to take a trip with us, having lived and worked in Barra all her life Margaret Ann has significant experience and knowledge of the area and is always available to assist with any bookings or enquiries.

John MacDougall has a career as an MCA approved marine engineer onboard our local interisland ferry, John has a passion for photography, history and local wildlife and is responsible for looking after our social media. John also assists with boat operations and maintenance on his time off from his day job.

Neil Maclean works offshore in the marine renewable's industry and helps us crew our boats in the summer months, in his spare time he dives for scallops to help supply our local hotels with the finest Barra hand dived scallops. Having been a diver and around boats from a young age his knowledge of what is beneath is second to none.

 

Hebridean Sea Tours is also supported from time to time by a small local professionally qualified team.