show reverse itinerary
DAY 1: FRIDAY 12 MAY - GLASGOW
We start our Scotland In-depth voyage in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, which features modern architecture beside Italiante steeples, neo-gothic towers and the Art Nouveau designs of Glasgow’s own Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Take the time to explore the Willow Tea Rooms and the Glasgow School of Art.
Our accommodation tonight is at a centrally located hotel where we will meet for dinner with our fellow travellers and guides as we commence our discovery of Scotland.
DAY 2: SATURDAY 13 MAY - OBAN
Depart Glasgow and travel overland to Oban, passing the beautiful famed shores of Loch Lomond, the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain. Take in the views as we pass Ben Lomond, a munro, rising to 974 metres (3196 feet), before continuing through the mountains to Loch Awe. We will visit the Inveraray Castle and connect with Clan Campbell as we walk around the beautiful grounds and explore the castle.
When we arrive in Oban, a lovely seaside village with cobbled streets and stone houses, we will board the Polar Pioneer.
DAY 3: SUNDAY 14 MAY - GIGHA & ISLAY
The southernmost isle of the Inner Hebrides, Gigha is one of the smallest populated Islands in the Hebrides. Meaning Good or God Island, the highest mountain is Creag Breahn. Nestled in woodland and extensive gardens Achamore House was built in 1884 for
Lt-Col William James Scarlett, the 3rd Lord Abinger. One of the warmest places in Scotland, the gardens of Achamore House was purchased by the people of Gigha in 2002. Operated as a trust they represent the plant collector’s love and the garden designer’s eye.
The earliest documented record of distilling in Scotland occurred as long ago as 1494, in the tax records of the day, the Exchequer Rolls. The entry lists “Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor where with to make aqua vitae” (water of life). This afternoon, be part of history and share a dram of whisky, the water of life, ashore at one of Islay’s historic distilleries: Lagavulin Distillery.
DAY 4: MONDAY 15 MAY - STAFFA, IONA & TRESHNISH
Our visit to Staffa features the hexagonal basalt cliffs which culminate in Fingal’s Cave- a spectacular natural feature named by the Celts as ‘Uamh-Binh’ or “the Cave of Melody”. Abundant puffins, razorbills and guillemots use the island for breeding and accessing the surrounding rich marine environment.
This afternoon we visit Iona. The centre of the Celtic world in 563 AD, the Irish missionary St. Columba went into exile and established a small monastic community there, its basic layout is known through the writings of Abbot Adomnan in the 600s. Driven out of Iona by Viking raids, most of the monastic community moved to Kells in Ireland around 800. In more peaceful times, around 1200, a Benedictine abbey and nunnery were established on the site. It is these buildings (heavily restored) that we see today
DAY 5: TUESDAY 16 MAY - ISLE OF SKYE - LOCH SKAVAIG & LOCH COURISK ISLE OF RUM
From Bronze Age man, Iron Age people, Vikings and World Wars
– time has left its mark on the Orkney Islands, the green isles. We
will land in the seaside town of Stromness, a past safe haven for
Vikings, whaling and fishing, and now a ferry gateway to Scotland.
Highlights of visiting this Orkney Island will include visiting Kirkwall,
formally known as the site of the ancient Norse town founded 1000
years ago. We will make our way to the historic village of Skara
Brae. In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney, the grass
was stripped from a large mound, then known as ‘Skerrabra’. The
outline of a number of stone buildings was revealed- something
that intrigued the local laird, William Watt of Skaill, he embarked
on an excavation of the site. Today, Skara Brae, as it has become
known - survives as eight dwellings, linked together by a series of
low, covered passages. We will also ensure we have time to visit the
famous Ring of Brodgar Henge, a neolithic Orkney World Heritage
Site.
DAY 6: WEDNESDAY 17 MAY - ST KILDA
Remote and battered by the Atlantic seas, St Kilda is a near mystical island with dual UNESCO World Heritage site status for its natural and cultural significance. St Kilda is deemed Europe’s most important seabird colony – with abundant puffins, fulmars and the largest colony of gannets in Britain.
Inhabited till 1930, the 19th century village layout still remains, allowing us to envisage life on this island where the bird life provided sustenance for the villagers. Enjoy the privilege to visit St Kilda and look out across to Village Bay.
DAY 7: THURSDAY 18 MAY - STORNOWAY - ISLE OF LEWIS
Stornoway is the main town on the Isle of Lewis with just over 6,000 people, about a third of the island’s total population - home to a mix of traditional industries like fishing, Harris Tweed and farming. Arriving at Stornoway, we land in this Gaelic heartland to explore the Stone Age ‘Callanish’, the primordial configuration of standing stones. Crossing the gentle troughs and rounded tops of the landscape we explore the cultural Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and meet the people of this area.
As we stroll the alleyways of Stornoway, check out the local tweed or wander the pathways of Lews Castle gardens we are sure to discover the secret of timelessness in the Hebrides
DAY 8: FRIDAY 19 MAY - STROMNESS - ORKNEY ISLANDS
From Bronze Age man, Iron Age people, Vikings and World Wars – time has left its mark on the Orkney Islands, the green isles. We will land in the seaside town of Stromness, a past safe haven for Vikings, whaling and fishing, and now a ferry gateway to Scotland.
Highlights of visiting Orkney Island include Kirkwall, formally known as the site of the ancient Norse town founded 1000 years ago. We will make our way to the historic village of Skara Brae. In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney, the grass was stripped from a large mound, then known as ‘Skerrabra’. The outline of a number of stone buildings was revealed - something that intrigued the local laird, William Watt of Skaill, he embarked on an excavation of the site. Today, Skara Brae, as it has become known - survives as eight dwellings, linked together by a series of low, covered passages. We will also ensure we have time to visit the famous Ring of Brodgar Henge, a neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
DAY 9: SATURDAY 20 MAY - NORTH RONALDSAY / FAIR ISLE
North Ronaldsay is renowned for its beautiful coastal scenery, abundant birdlife and its famed sheep. After a short Zodiac ride ashore there will be the opportunity to meet with some of the 60 residents of the island to learn more about their unique lifestyle and especially the unique North Ronaldsay Sheep which have evolved over generations to the particular conditions of North Ronaldsay and which are farmed collectively. Others may choose to join our naturalists on a nature walk searching for some of the many bird species which are both resident and vagrant visitors.
We will also enjoy time in the Fair Isle, famous for birds, knitwear and historic shipwrecks, Fair Isle is a tiny jewel of an island lying half-way between Orkney and Shetland. Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, it’s one of Britain’s most successful small communities, pioneering projects in wildlife tourism, wind power and sustainable management of the environment. The island is
an internationally important seabird breeding site. From April to August the cliffs are busy with the sound (and smell!) of thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots, gannets, shags and puffins, while skuas and terns fiercely defend their nests on the moorland. The 70 or so islanders mostly live in traditional crofts
on the more fertile and low-lying southern third of the island. The northern part is largely rough grazing and rocky moorland, rising to the 217 metre Ward Hill.
DAY 10: SUNDAY 21 MAY - LERWICK
Lerwick is the Shetland Islands capital. Its cobblestone streets once filled with the rush created by fishing and ship building, today this port town charms as you wander the same streets of the town
and waterfront. We spend the morning discovering Mousa Broch, standing 13 metres high, it is Scotland’s most impressive and best surviving Iron Age tower or broch. Today we know brochs were built in Shetland around 400-200 BC, the quality of stone, the workmanship and overall size of Mousa are believed to contribute to why it has survived so well.
Afterwards, we head to the south of Lerwick to Jarlshoff where we delve into more than 4,000 years of human settlement in the same location. Neolithic people first settled this site in Shetland around 2700 BC, and it remained in use until the AD 1600s. Discoveries made here include oval-shaped Bronze Age houses, an Iron Age broch and wheelhouses, Norse longhouses, a medieval farmstead, and a laird’s house dating back to the 1500s
DAY 11: MONDAY 22 MAY - LERWICK / FLY TO EDINBURGH
Today we fly to Scotland’s medieval capital of Edinburgh with the local airline. Here, we enjoy a city tour where we explore the cobbled streets, hilltop castle, and many of the top attractions before heading to our hotel for your final night with the group.
DAY 12: TUESDAY 23 MAY - EDINBURGH
After breakfast and farewells, continue on with your travel arrangements, whether that is more time in Edinburgh, south to England, further afield or directly homeward bound.
NOTE: Itinerary, landings and all other activities during the cruise depend strongly on weather conditions and are subject to change at the discretion of the expedition leader or captain of the vessel.
show main itinerary
Day 1: THURSDay 1 MAY GLASGOW
After breakfast and farewells, continue on with your travel
arrangements, whether that is more time in the city of Glasgow,
south to England, further afield or directly homeward bound.
We recommend a day to explore Glasgow. Scotland’s largest
city, Glasgow, features modern architecture beside Italiante
steeples, neo-gothic towers and the Art Nouveau designs of
Glasgow’s own Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Take the time to
explore the Willow Tea Rooms and the Glasgow School of
Day 2: WEDNESDay 2 MAY OBAN TO GLASGOW
Sailing into Oban, your view of Oban is one you will truly never
forget. Oban is a lovely seaside village with cobbled streets and
stone houses. We will disembark in Oban and enjoy some time to
explore before starting are journey over land to Glasgow. We will
visit the Inveraray Castle and connect with Clan Campbell as we
walk around the beautiful grounds and explore the castle. We will
make our way past Ben Lomond, a munro, rising to 974 metres
(3196 feet). Prior to reaching our destination of Glasgow we will
meet the famed shores of Loch Lomond. This freshwater Scottish
loch is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain.
Day 3: TUESDay 3 MAY GIGHA AND ISLAY
The southernmost isle of the Inner Hebrides, Gigha is one of the
smallest populated Islands in the Hebrides. Meaning Good or God
Island, the highest mountain is Creag Breahn. Nestled in woodland
and extensive gardens Achamore House was built in 1884 for
Lt-Col William James Scarlett, the 3rd Lord Abinger. One of the
warmest places in Scotland, the gardens of Achamore House was
purchased by the people of Gigha in 2002. Operated as a trust they
represent the plant collector’s love and the garden designer’s eye.
The earliest documented record of distilling in Scotland occurred as
long ago as 1494, in the tax records of the day, the Exchequer Rolls.
The entry lists “Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor where with to
make aqua vitae” (water of life). This afternoon, be part of history and share a dram of whisky, the water of life, ashore at one of
Islay’s historic distilleries: Lagavulin Distillery.
Day 4: MONDay 4 MAY STAFFA, IONA & TRESHNISH
Our visit to Staffa features the hexagonal basalt cliffs which
culminate in Fingal’s Cave- a spectacular natural feature named
by the Celts as ‘Uamh-Binh’ or “the Cave of Melody”. Abundant
puffins, razorbills and guillemots use the island for breeding and
accessing the surrounding rich marine environment.
This afternoon we visit Iona. The centre of the Celtic world in
563 AD, the Irish missionary St. Columba went into exile and
established a small monastic community there, its basic layout is
known through the writings of Abbot Adomnan in the 600s. Driven
out of Iona by Viking raids, most of the monastic community moved
to Kells in Ireland around 800. In more peaceful times, around
1200, a Benedictine abbey and nunnery were established on the
site. It is these buildings (heavily restored) that we see today.
Day 5: SUNDay 5 MAY ISLE OF SKYE - LOCH SKAVAIG & LOCH COURISK ISLE OF RUM
Isle of Skye’s southern coast is remote, mainly uninhabited and
home to the Cuillin Mountains. Loch Courisk is nestled securely in
the landscape folds of the Cuillin Ridge, a freshwater loch and is
separated from the sea by the Scavaig River. Our short walk along
this river gives access to the Loch, or the adventurous can take the
opportunity to explore further.
Later in the quiet Isle of Rum, Kinloch Castle greets us. Built of Isle
of Arran sandstone the castle took three years and upwards of
300 craftsmen to build. The Kinloch castle, was the first private residence in Scotland to have electricity, it was unique for this time
to have an electrician. The electricity was derived from a hydro dam
constructed on the Coire Dubh Burn. Now under the care of the
Scottish Natural Heritage its restoration is a work in progress.
Day 6: SATURDay 6 MAY ST KILDA
Remote and battered by the Atlantic seas, St Kilda is a near
mystical island with dual UNESCO World Heritage site status for its
natural and cultural significance. St Kilda is deemed Europe’s most
important seabird colony – with abundant puffins, fulmars and the
largest colony of gannets in Britain.
Inhabited till 1930, the 19th century village layout still remains,
allowing us to envisage life on this island where the bird life
provided sustenance for the villagers. Enjoy the privilege to visit St
Kilda and look out across to Village Bay.
Day 7: FRIDay 7 MAY STORNOWAY - ISLE OF LEWIS
Stornoway is the main town on the Isle of Lewis with just over
6,000 people, about a third of the islands total population - home
to a mix of traditional industries like fishing, Harris Tweed and
farming. Arriving at Stornoway we land in this Gaelic heartland to
explore the Stone Age ‘Callanish’, the primordial configuration of
standing stones. Crossing the gentle troughs and rounded tops
of the landscape we explore the cultural Gearrannan Blackhouse
Village and meet the people of this area.
As we stroll the alleyways of Stornoway, check out the local tweed
or wander the pathways of Lews Castle gardens we are sure to
discover the secret of timelessness in the Hebrides.
Day 8: THURSDay 8 MAY STROMNESS - ORKNEY ISLANDS
From Bronze Age man, Iron Age people, Vikings and World Wars
– time has left its mark on the Orkney Islands, the green isles. We
will land in the seaside town of Stromness, a past safe haven for
Vikings, whaling and fishing, and now a ferry gateway to Scotland.
Highlights of visiting this Orkney Island will include visiting Kirkwall,
formally known as the site of the ancient Norse town founded 1000
years ago. We will make our way to the historic village of Skara
Brae. In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney, the grass
was stripped from a large mound, then known as ‘Skerrabra’. The
outline of a number of stone buildings was revealed- something
that intrigued the local laird, William Watt of Skaill, he embarked
on an excavation of the site. Today, Skara Brae, as it has become
known - survives as eight dwellings, linked together by a series of
low, covered passages. We will also ensure we have time to visit the
famous Ring of Brodgar Henge, a neolithic Orkney World Heritage
Site.
Day 9: WEDNESDay 9 MAY LERWICK - SHETLAND ISLANDS
Lerwick is the Shetland Islands capital. Its cobblestone streets once
filled with the rush created by fishing and ship building, today this
port town charms as you wander the same streets of the town and
waterfront.
To the south of Lerwick is Jarlshoff where we delve into more
than 4,000 years of human settlement in the same location.
Neolithic people first settled this site in Shetland around 2700 BC,
and it remained in use until the AD 1600s. Discoveries made here
include oval-shaped Bronze Age houses, an Iron Age broch and
wheelhouses, Norse longhouses, a medieval farmstead, and a
laird’s house dating back to the 1500s.
This afternoon we land at Mousa Broch, standing 13 metres high, it
is Scotland’s most impressive and best surviving Iron Age tower or
broch. Today we know brochs were built in Shetland around 400-200 BC, the quality of stone, the workmanship and overall size of
Mousa are believed to contribute to why it has survived so well.
Day 10: TUESDay 10 MAY NORTH RONALDSAY / FAIR ISLE - ORKNEY ISLANDS
This morning we arrive at the northernmost of the Orkney Islands,
remote and isolated North Ronaldsay is renowned for its beautiful
coastal scenery, abundant birdlife and its famed sheep. After a
short Zodiac ride ashore there will be the opportunity to meet with
some of the 60 residents of the island to learn more about their
unique lifestyle and especially the unique North Ronaldsay Sheep which have evolved over generations to the particular conditions
of North Ronaldsay and which are farmed collectively. Others may
choose to join our naturalists on a nature walk searching for some
of the many bird species which are both resident and vagrant
visitors.
We will also enjoy time in the Fair Isle, famous for birds, knitwear
and historic shipwrecks, Fair Isle is a tiny jewel of an island lying
half-way between Orkney and Shetland. Owned by the National
Trust for Scotland, it’s one of Britain’s most successful small
communities, pioneering projects in wildlife tourism, wind power
and sustainable management of the environment. The island is
an internationally important seabird breeding site. From April to
August the cliffs are busy with the sound (and smell!) of thousands
of fulmars, kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots, gannets, shags and
puffins, while skuas and terns fiercely defend their nests on the
moorland. The 70 or so islanders mostly live in traditional crofts
on the more fertile and low-lying southern third of the island. The
northern part is largely rough grazing and rocky moorland, rising to
the 217 metre Ward Hill.
Day 11: MONDay 11 MAY EDINBURGH & ABERDEEN
We will depart Edinburgh this morning and make our way over land
to Aberdeen. We will explore the iconic township of St Andrews
including the Abbey ruins and University, before visiting the historic
Dunottar Castle. Later we will board the MS Serenissima, and enjoy
our first night on the ship together.
Day 12: SUNDay 12 MAY EDINBURGH
We start our Scotland In-depth voyage in the medieval capital of
Edinburgh. We recommend arriving early so you are able to explore
the cobbled streets, hilltop castle, and many of the top attractions.
Our accommodation tonight is at a centrally located hotel where
we will meet for dinner with our fellow travellers and guides as we
commence our discovery of Scotland.
Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.
* = Indicative
