HIGHLIGHTS
- Spring
cruise along Scotland, Orkney and Shetland
- Visit
the Scottish west coast, with its isolated islands, deep fjords, rugged
hillside and dramatic castle ruins - the embodiment of Scotland
- Cruise
laong the beautiful coast which is also home to distilleries, wildlife
and the distinct Scottish culture
- North
of the "mainland" lie the rugged and scenic islands of Orkney and
Shetland, with active fishing communities and some of Europe's oldest
cultural-historical memories
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
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| Start Date | End Date | Category G | Category F | Category E | Category D | Category C | Category B | Category A | Premium Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Category G | (Mid-range)
Category C | (High-end)
Premium Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
DAY
1: BOARDING IN DUBLIN
Our
journey begins in Dublin, where MV Ocean Atlantic is located by a dock
in the Liffey River. Boarding is in the afternoon, where the cabins are
designated. After the mandatory security review and drill, we sail out
through the mouth of the Liffey River towards the Irish Sea.
DAY
2: THE SMALL TOWN OF CAMPBELTOWN ON THE KINTYRE PENINSULA
Campbeltown,
on the peninsula "Mull of Kintyre", housed over 30 distilleries in the
1920s, and the city called itself "the world's whisky capital". Today
there are only three distilleries left. We will be walking around the
city and searching for remnants of honored distilleries and stories.
The town has a few other sights like the Campbeltown Cross, with fine
medieval carvings and Celtic designs, as well as a Heritage Centre
where visitors can learn more about the local history.
Close
to the Gulf Stream, the temperature is generally above the UK average,
which can be confirmed by the many streets and gardens with unprotected
palm trees (maybe not what most would expect to find in Scotland!).
DAY
3: BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF ISLAY WITH TASTING OF LOCAL WHISKY
The
smell of peat and smoke fills our nostrils as we approach Islay. For
decades, the peat has been the primary source of fuel on this small
Inner Hebride island. This, the most southernmost of the island group
is known as the Queen of the Hebrides. The island has around 3200
inhabitants and an impressive 130 miles of beautiful coastline.
We
use the ship's Zodiacs to land at the Bunnahabhain distillery where we
will take a short tour of the distillery, learning about the process of
whisky making from start to finish. Afterwards a tasting is well
deserved. A visit including tasting typically takes 30 minutes. Islay is
probably best known for its malt whiskies and has a total of eight
working distilleries. Whisky is one of the most important sources of
income for the island.
The
whisky they produce is soft, dry, smoked and dusty at the same time.
For this reason, Islay is the most visited of all the inner Hebrides in
proportion to its size. Be sure to
be on the lookout for wildlife while we navigate around Islay and the
Hebrides, where seals, otters, geese, waders and golden eagles amongst
others, have their home.
DAY
4: THE PILGRIMAGE ISLAND OF IONA & THE CLASSIC CITY OF OBAN
Today’s
early visit will be steeped in Christian history as we visit the small
pilgrimage island of Iona. It is considered the birthplace of
Christianity in Scotland with the arrival of St. Columba in AD 563 and
the founding of the Abbey. The Abbey’s long history is rich
with Viking attacks, foreign monks and even abandonment at one time,
before being reconstructed to its present state. Today, Iona remains a
place of pilgrimage and spirituality. Our visit entails a walk around
the small town and free time around the Abbey. After our morning visit,
we continue along the Isle of Mull towards Oban.
The
capital on the Scottish west coast is Oban. A picturesque Scottish
harbor town called "The Gate of the Hebrides", Oban offers typical
Scottish city life. If you want more exercise, it is highly recommended
to walk up to McCaig’s Tower, built in the 19th century. A
monument that resembles the Colosseum of Rome. Whisky is of course
present here: In Oban, clearly, they have ‘Oban’, a
small town distillery with a big whisky production (open every day,
including Sundays). A more historical visit could be the Oban War and
Peace museum that has excellent displays depicting Oban over the years
(not only during the war).
The
sailing trip from Oban is something truly extraordinary. We head out
through the Sound of Mull with mainland Scotland starboards and Isle of
Mull on the portside.
DAY
5: THE LEGENDARY ISLAND OF SKYE AND THE MAIN TOWN OF PORTREE
"You
take the high road, and I take the low road" is a commonly sung quote
from the Scottish group Runrig, who originate in the Isle of Skye.
The
captain’s analysis of weather and climate will determine
which route we choose for Portree on Skye. Our nightly sailing can
either go through Sound of Sleat and Loch Alsh east of Skye, or we can
sail west into the sea of the Hebrides and north of Skye. In any case,
we will in the morning be in Portree, the island's largest city. It is
beautifully situated, with colorful houses that surround the small
nature harbor. Ocean Atlantic will go close to the harbor, sheltered
from western winds on the east coast of the island. But the water is
shallow, so we will use the ship's Zodiacs for easy and quick
landing. More
beautiful islands can hardly be found in Scotland, and it has Britain's
largest concentration of mountain peaks.
Today's
excursion allows you to experience the dramatic landscape dominated by
sharp peaks in the Cuillin’s mountain rug. As we depart the
charming port and drive across the lovely Island of Skye to its west
coast to the castle of Dunvegan; seat of the Clan Macleod chiefs since
the 13th Century. One of the greatest and most renowned among the
Hebridean strongholds, Dunvegan Castle is the only one to have been
continuously owned and occupied by the same family over a period now
spanning 8 centuries. Within the castle are priceless heirlooms and
treasures which have come down through the hands of the chiefs of
MacLeod since medieval times. (The trip
around Skye is part of the excursion package and is not included in the
price of the trip. Read more under price information).
DAY
6: ORKNEY ISLANDS AND HISTORIC KIRKWALL - POSSIBILITY OF VISITING SKARA
BRAE
During
the night we’ll have sailed out into the waters between Outer
and Inner Hebrides, and in the early morning we’ll reach the
town of Kirkwall on the windy Orkney off the mainland of Scotland.
Orkney is old Norse for the "seal islands", and, like the other North
Atlantic islands, Orkney has a rich Viking story.
We
depart Kirkwall and head into the west of Mainland, Orkney’s
largest island. Along the way we will pass through rolling gentle
landscapes into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney, an area designated
as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology.
Passing the Standing Stones of Stenness, we will stop at the 5000 year
old ceremonial circle: the Ring of Brodgar. From here we continue to as
history goes even further back to one of the oldest European
civilizations. Skara Brae, Northern Europe's Pompeii, which was hidden
for almost 5000 years before a massive storm (150 years ago) revealed
the ancient settlement. The 10 small homes are almost ready for moving
into, fully furnished and with sanitation - all made in stone.
Back
in Kirkwall, we will visit one of the local distilleries for a tasting
of some of the northernmost drops in Scotland. A fitting end to an
excursion with such an amazing historical backdrop. (The
excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the
price of the trip). The
afternoon is free in Kirkwall before the evening departure north to the
Shetland Islands and Lerwick.
DAY
7: SHETLAND ISLANDS. THE HARBOR AND FISHING VILLAGE OF LERWICK
Ocean
Atlantic approaches Lerwick near the "Main Land" of Shetlands in the
morning. The island of Shetland consists of more than 100 islands and
shores, of which only 15 are inhabited year-round. The islands form the
northernmost part of the British kingdom, located approximately 300 km
north of the mainland of Scotland. This "central" location in the North
Atlantic has through the ages led many to the islands, and the
Scandinavian heritage still shines through dialects, folklore and place
names.
Once
securely docked at the port, we depart through Lerwick towards
Scalloway for a short scenic drive. From the elevated position we can
enjoy the view of the charming village and the imposing Scalloway
Castle. After a short photo stop, we continue eastwards through the
area that is locally known as the “Black Gates”
– an area where peat is still cut to use as fuel.
Following
the road northwards our main destination of Clickimin Broch is only a
short drive. There will be free time to discover this well preserved
and restored Broch and learn more about life in the Iron Age. (The
excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the
price of the trip). Afterwards,
we will return to Lerwick and the ship in the middle of the day. The
rest of the day is for enjoying at leisure before departing in the
afternoon.
DAY
8: THE VOYAGE ENDS IN ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
The
captain will lead the ship southwards along the east coast of Scotland,
and we’ll arrive in Aberdeen, Scotland's third-largest city.
At this time we’ll say farewell to the ship and its crew
before departing for the airport and beginning the return journey.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
INCLUSIONS
- 8-day/7-night
cruise in a shared outside/inside double cabin with private
bathroom/toilet in the category chosen
- English-speaking
expedition team.
- Zodiac
landings.
- Whisky
tasting on the island of Islay.
- Near-port
town walks with expedition team.
- Information
briefings and lectures by expedition team.
- Full
board on the ship.
- Free
coffee, tea and afternoon snacks on the ship.
- Special
photo workshop.
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails.
- On
board whisky tasting of selected single malts.
- Digital
visual journal link after voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list and more!
- Taxes
and tariffs.
EXCLUSIONS
- International
flights to Dublin/from Aberdeen.
- Hotel
accommodation in Ireland and/or Scotland.
- Travel
insurance.
- Cancellation
insurance.
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Single
room supplement.
- Meals
not on board the ship.
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea).
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day).
- Personal
expenses.
- Anything
not mentioned under 'Price includes'.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Boat
Trips
- Bus
Excursions
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- USD 235
- Lectures
- Photography
- Wildlife
Observations
- Zodiac
Cruises
