Cruising Scotland’s Wild Coast

Upon arrival in Edinburgh, you will be met and transferred to the group hotel. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense. Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh Hotel.

Edinburgh awaits this morning as a local guide welcomes us with stories of Scotland's capital city. Stretching just over one mile, five cobblestone streets make up the walking precinct of the Royal Mile. Starting at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, you'll step back in time to hear tales of princes, poets, and politicians as you stroll past some of Edinburgh's most iconic buildings including the Church of Canongate and Scotland's own parliament house.

Perched atop an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle dominates the capital city's skyline just as it has dominated Scotland's long and colorful history. This instantly recognizable fortress is a powerful national symbol, and part of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site. Note: entry to the castle is not guaranteed (tickets not available until closer to departure).

You'll have time to explore the castle precinct and Royal Mile, which are scattered with friendly pubs and charismatic restaurants (lunch is on your own expense). A two-hour transfer takes you to the west coast port of Troon where the expedition team will welcome you aboard the Greg Mortimer in the late afternoon. Once onboard, settle into your cabin before some important briefings. Set sail along Scotland's northwest coast in the evening and meet your expedition team and crew.

From golden beaches to jagged peaks, bleak moors, and heather clad hills; from abandoned settlements to picturesque villages, your days in the Hebrides archipelago will be packed with variety. You may explore remote lochs beneath some of Britain’s most untamed mountains, wander between unusual rock formations, and watch for whales, dolphins, otters, seals, and the increasingly rare basking sharks. There may be a landing at an island reserve that is home to red deer and white-tailed sea eagles.

Kayakers will be introduced to their craft and will be briefed for their adventures, before picking up paddles to circumnavigate tiny islets or glide into narrow waterways that intertwine the islands. Hikers may opt for panoramic views from summits and ridges.

Early the next morning we head for the tiny island of Iona. Barely three miles long, Iona is renowned as the birthplace of Christianity in Britain. It is also a burial ground of early Scottish kings. The Irish monk, St. Columba, and twelve disciples, landed here and founded a monastery in 563 CE. From this base, St. Columba set about converting Scotland and much of northern England to Christianity.

On Staffa, you may have the chance to explore Fingals Cave, where the melodious sound of waves crashing against towering basalt pillars inspired Mendelssohnn’s Hebridean Overture. You may enter the cave in Zodiacs, or clamber ashore to walk into the mouth of the cave. On shore, you will also find puffins in abundance.??
The plan is to land on remote Isle of Eigg just south of the rugged Isle of Skye for wonderful hikes among stunning wildflowers. The wildlife, history, geology, and beautiful scenery make it one of the favorite islands to explore.

The following landings are planned: The Cuillin Hills have earned a reputation as Britain’s most untamed and challenging mountains. The rocky jagged Black Cuillins attract rock climbers. The smoother conical granite peaks of the Red Cuillins are crowned with heather. You may land at Loch Scavaig in the heart of the Cuillins and take a short hike, perhaps to Loch Coruisk, for spectacular views and get a glimpse of the range’s grandeur. Keener hikers may be able to venture further afield, weather permitting. Meanwhile kayakers may paddle around Loch Scavaig, into Loch Coruisk. They may explore the island of Soay and an abandoned shark fishing station—all against the backdrop of classic views of the Cuillins.

From the Inner Hebrides the ship sails to the Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, that stretch for 128 miles and look out on their western side to the Atlantic Ocean. The first stop is at the Isle of Lewis, the largest and northernmost island in the Outer Hebrides. We plan to make a stop at Callanais, where archaeology buffs will be keen to see the fascinating group of Standing Stones, dating from around 3000 BCE.

Weather permitting, we plan to land at the isolated archipelago (and World Heritage site) of St. Kilda, where derelict crofts bear testament to the fortitude of islanders who once tended the unique Soay sheep and harvested seabirds for food—and to pay their rent in the form of wool, meat, and feathers. The isles hold Europe’s most important seabird colony and is home to Britain’s highest sea stacks.

Discover the rich history in Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands. Initial impressions are misleading, as the harbor area looks modern, but the narrow winding streets and lanes of the old town that have remained relatively unchanged over the centuries are appealing. Everything west of Kirkwall is known as West Mainland, an area of rich farmland, rolling hills, and moorland, with dramatic cliffs along the Atlantic coastline. Some of the main archaeological attractions you may see include the standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, and the chambered tombs of Maes Howes that to this day still have unresolved mysteries.

At the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray lies the earliest known house in northern Europe, occupied by Neolithic farmers over 5,000 years ago. Here you are welcomed by the friendly locals. Enjoy the lively Scottish dance and folk ensemble, "Poor Man's Corner," hailing from Papa Westray, set to grace the local pub with their spirited tunes. Mingle and enjoy a few drinks, while listening to the captivating melodies and infectious rhythms.

Britain’s most northerly islands lie almost 100 miles north of the Scottish mainland, at a similar latitude to the southern tip of Greenland, or Bergen in Norway. Kept relatively warm by the Gulf Stream, Shetland’s 100 islands experience almost 24 hours of daylight in summer. They abound with nature reserves and archaeological sites and offer a taste of traditional island life. The following places will be explored:

In Lerwick, learn stories of smugglers, fisherman, Vikings, and fictional detectives as you walk around Shetland’s bustling capital. Take a guided walking tour of the town and learn all about its history and most iconic buildings.

With its mile-long seabird cliffs, the Island of Noss is a National Nature Reserve. In breeding season, the sound of some 150,000 birds and chicks fills the air. Millions of years of wind and ice have honeycombed thousands of nesting ledges in sandstone cliffs almost 656 feet high. Resident seals and visiting otters feed in dense kelp around the shores.

Jarlshof is one of Shetland's best preserved and most complex archaeological sites. It was exposed by storms in the late 19th century. The record of human occupation dates from around 3200 BCE. Jarlshof’s main Bronze Age site is the house of a bronzesmith working around 800 BC. Clay molds into which molten bronze was poured revealed that he was casting axe heads and short swords. It seems that Shetland suited early Norse settlers, for they quickly settled here and left their mark on Shetland's history for ages to come.

Mousa Broch, on the small uninhabited island of Mousa, is the best preserved of Scotland’s 570 brochs (fortified Iron Age towers). Storm petrels nest among its stones, which can be seen when visiting the broch at night. In daylight, a large colony of common and grey seals basks on its shores, and you may spot otter (Dratsi, in Shetland dialect).

Midway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle houses a major European ornithological research station, and is also famous for knitwear and historic shipwrecks. About three miles by two miles in area, it is surrounded by impressive cliffs. The 70 or so islanders mainly live in traditional crofts on the more fertile low-lying southern part of the island.

A bird watchers’ paradise, Fair Isle lies on the intersection of major flight paths from Scandinavia, Iceland, and Faroe. In summer, the cliffs teem with breeding fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, shags, and puffins. The Isle is an excellent place to view seabirds, especially puffins at close range. Fair Isle also has over 250 species of flowering plants, including wetland flowers, rare orchids, alpine species, and common wildflowers. We’ll be welcomed by the hospitable villagers and may take a hike or visit the museum. Grey and common seals inhabit these waters around Fair Isle, while sharp eyes may spot harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, killer whales (orcas), and minke whales.

During the early morning, cruise into Aberdeen, and disembark at approximately 8.00 am. Bid farewell to your Expedition Team and fellow passengers as everyone continues their onward journeys. Transfer to Aberdeen airport.

Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we recommend booking flights departing after 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.

Day 1: Aberdeen
Day 2: Embarkation
Day 3: Kirkwall
Days 4-6: Shetland Islands
Days 7-9: Orkney Islands / Outer Hebrides
Days 10-11: Inner Hebrides
Day 12: Disembark in Troon / Transfer to Edinburgh