Vereinigtes Königreich 10 Tage Expedition Through the Scottish Isles: Where Land Meets Legend in internationaler Gruppe

The Isles of Scotland are the stuff of legend – dramatic coastlines, ancient stories, and a culture all their own. On this 10-day expedition cruise through the Shetland, Orkney, and Hebrides islands, you’ll experience it all. Starting near Edinburgh and finishing in Glasgow, you’ll sail through wild, remote landscapes teeming with seabirds, history, and rugged beauty. From the craggy cliffs of St. Kilda to the white-sand beaches of the Shetlands, each island has its own vibe and its own story to tell. With every Zodiac ride and misty horizon, you’ll fall a little more under Scotland’s spell.

• Explore ancient Viking settlement sites in the Shetland Islands

• Search for basking sharks near Hermaness Nature Reserve

• Visit the towering bird cliffs of Foula to spot a variety of seabirds in one of Scotland’s most remote habitats

• Gain deeper insight into the Scottish Isles through expert lectures and on-site briefings

• Stand among Neolithic wonders on the Orkney Islands

• Including the remarkably preserved village of Skara Brae

Reiseverlauf:

wichtige Infos zur Rundreise

Späteste Anreise bis: 02:01 Uhr
Früheste Abreise ab: 12:00 Uhr

Edinburgh / Leith

Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Leith in the late afternoon. Arrival transfer included. (A)

Transport: Edinburgh Airport – Leith (0.5h)
Event: Embarkation of the Expedition (Beginn: 16:00 Uhr)

Leith / Orkney Islands

Sail north to the Orkney Islands, known for their unique blend of rich history, gorgeous natural landscapes, and some of the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe. Stop to visit Kirkwall, the ‚Heart of Neolithic Orkney‘ where a group of 5,000-year-old sites reside. Enjoy time to explore here and see places like Skara Brae and Maeshowe. Make sure to also search for a diverse array of wildlife. (F) (M) (A)

Event: Zodiac Excursion
Transport: Leith – Kirkwall

Shetland Islands / Orkney Islands

Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals. (F) (M) (A)

Event: Zodiac Excursion
Transport: Shetland Islands – Orkney Islands

Shetland Islands / Orkney Islands

Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals. (F) (M) (A)

Event: Zodiac Excursion
Transport: Shetland Islands – Orkney Islands

Shetland Islands / Orkney Islands

Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals. (F) (M) (A)

Event: Zodiac Excursion
Transport: Shetland Islands – Orkney Islands

Shetland Islands / Orkney Islands

Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals. (F) (M) (A)

Event: Zodiac Excursion
Transport: Shetland Islands – Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands / Thurso

Search the dramatic cliffs at Duncansby Head and Dunnet Head for puffins, fulmars, and Guillemot. Visit Thurso today, the northernmost town on the mainland of Scotland. During your stop here, there are plenty of options to choose from including, the Caithness Horizons Museum, the Wolfburn Distillery, and the ruins of Thurso Castle. Enjoy the charm of this town surrounded by beautiful landscapes. (F) (M) (A)

Event: Zodiac Excursion
Transport: Orkney Islands – Thurso

Thurso / St. Kilda Archipelago

The ship will sail to the tallest sea stack in Britain, known as Stac Lee, part of the St Kilda archipelago. Home to northern gannets and other bird species. Then, continue along the coast to Hirta, the largest and most hospitable island of the St Kilda archipelago. You’ll stop here briefly for a chance to view puffin colonies in the wild. (F) (M) (A)

Event: Zodiac Excursion
Transport: Thurso – St. Kilda Archipelago

St. Kilda Archipelago / Hebrides

Sail to the Isle of Lunga, which is part of the Treshnish Isles and known for its diverse wildlife, especially its large breeding colony of puffins. The landscape offers a rugged and wild experience with no man-made facilities. The perfect destination for an immersion into nature. Half the group will start with the zodiac cruise near the cliffs and the other will walk up the hillside to where the puffins are, then the groups will switch. Then, travel to the Isle of Iona, known as the „cradle of Christianity“ home to the famous Iona Abbey, and an ideal place to learn more about Scotland’s rich history. Visit the Abbey on a guided tour and see for yourself. (F) (M) (A)

Transport: St. Kilda Archipelago – Hebrides
Event: Zodiac Excursion

Greenock

Shortly after breakfast, disembark at the Port of Greenock. From here, you will need to transfer to Glasgow Airport for your departing flight. (F)

Event: Tag der Abreise
Transport: Greenock – Glasgow Airport (0.5h)

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Fahrplan-, Flugplan-, Hotel- und Programmänderungen bleiben ausdrücklich vorbehalten.

(F=Frühstück,M=Mittagessen,A=Abendessen)

Leistungen:

9 nts aboard the Expedition. Arrival transfer. Zodiac excursions with our expert expedition team. Lectures and educational programs. Insulated, waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 – 16. Expedition parka.
Unterbringung: Aboard the Expedition in triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 9 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed.
Transport: Expedition, Zodiac, private vehicle, walking.
Mahlzeiten: 9 Frühstück, 8 Mittagessen, 9 Abendessen

Aufpreis für Einzelzimmer – nur wenn explizit gewünscht:
Ansonsten wird das Zimmer mit einem gleichgeschlechtlichem Zimmerpartner geteilt

Gruppengröße: Explore ancient Viking settlement sites in the Shetland Islands, Search for basking sharks near Hermaness Nature Reserve, Visit the towering bird cliffs of Foula to spot a variety of seabirds in one of Scotland’s most remote habitats, Gain deeper insight into the Scottish Isles through expert lectures and on-site briefings, Stand among Neolithic wonders on the Orkney Islands, including the remarkably preserved village of Skara Brae