Atlantic Island Odyssey
June 13 - June 27, 2027
Day 1 Aberdeen, Scotland
Embark the MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Aberdeen Airport and Aberdeen Railway Station at a fixed time. Sail this evening..
Day 2 North Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands
This morning we arrive at the northernmost of the Orkney Islands, the remote and isolated North Ronaldsay. Renowned for its beautiful coastal scenery and abundant birdlife, it is one of the crown jewels in the history of Northern European short-tailed sheep. In 1832, a stone wall was erected along the island’s perimeter to keep the sheep off the pasture land, preserving it for cattle who were deemed more valuable. The North Ronaldsay sheep were forced to survive on seaweed and to this day are one of the few mammals who can. The North Ronaldsay sheep were forced to survive on seaweed and to this day are one of the few mammals who can. Soon after the island’s lighthouse was decommissioned in the late 1990s, a Mini-Mill was installed in one of the outbuildings. We will tour the mill and meet with a farmer to learn more about these historic sheep.
Day 3 Foula & Papa Stour, Shetland Islands
This morning we visit Foula, one of Britain’s most remote inhabited islands. Apart from a narrow coastal strip of more fertile croftland, Foula is an expanse of peat and moorland rising steeply to five dramatic peaks. Translated as ‘Bird Island’ from Old Norse the island is designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds and is home to the world’s largest colony of great skuas, known locally as bonxies, which compete fiercely with Arctic skuas for breeding territories. Kittiwakes and Arctic terns return annually to nest whilst the cliffs teem with puffins, shags and fulmars. Over lunch we will sail the short distance to Papa Stour where we will use our Zodiacs to explore the stunning cliff scenery, sea stacks, arches, blowholes and coastal caves which are home to Arctic skua and large numbers of Arctic terns.
Day 4 Lerwick
In recent history, Shetland’s cobblestone streets were filled with the rush of vibrant fishing and ship building industries, and a unique wool history. Approximately 80% of Shetland wool is purchased by Jamieson and Smith who possess a wealth of information they are always delighted to share. To the south of Lerwick is Jarlshoff where we delve into more than 4,000 years of human occupation. Neolithic people first settled this site in Shetland around 2700 BC, and it remained in use until the 1600s AD. 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. We will also visit The Shetland Museum offering in-depth exhibit on the islands’ wool and farming history. More knitting history can be found at The Shetland Textile Museum.
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Day 5 Unst
We continue our exploration of the Shetlands with our visit to the northern island of Unst, Britain’s most northerly inhabited island. Our group will visit The Heritage Centre which hosts the most extensive collection of Shetland lace knitting, and encompasses how the islanders have lived over the centuries. We will also visit the Unst Boat Haven, dedicated to the history of the island’s distinctive wooden boats which descend from Viking craft.
Day 6 Runavik & Saksun, Faroe Islands
Our first call in the Faroe Islands is at Runavik which due to its sheltered location in the Skalafjordur has been used as a port since the Vikings. Leaving the port we will drive to the beautiful village of Saksun, an isolated settlement situated beneath steep majestic mountains. We visit Duvugaroar, an old farmhouse, which is now a museum and a traditional Faroese wooden church in Kollafjord. This afternoon is free to explore the small town of Runavik. Maybe visit the Forni Historical Museum, the Church of Glyvrar and the boathouse. There will also be the opportunity to join our naturalists for a walk around Lake Toftavatn seeing the rich birdlife, Faroese flora and the statue of the shepherd and his dog.
Day 7 Elduvik
Today we enjoy the benefits of small ship cruising as we make our way to the north of the island of Eysturoy and the small traditional village of Elduvik. Located at the end of a lush valley and surrounded by mountains, the village has a resident population of 12 who will welcome us ashore. Villagers will lead walks around the town including the colourful houses and the church and hear stories of the history, myths and culture of the region. Those feeling active may wish to join a strenuous yet scenic hike along the old village path through the Skoratind hills to neighbouring Oyndarfjordur, enjoying views of the nearby island of Kalsoy and the hills of Funningur.
Day 8 Vagur, Suduroy
Our final call in the Faroes will be at Suduroy, the southernmost island of the group. From the port of Vagur we have a choice of activities. Choose to join an island tour passing the beautiful scenery as we drive between the villages seeing the stunning geology, fjords, tunnels and architecture of the island as well as the southernmost point and the Akraberg lighthouse. In Porkeri we will take the ridge-top road which winds up the mountainside for wonderful views towards the steep cliffs on the west coast, the Beinisvoro promontory to the north and the luscious grass slopes to the east. To locals, this delivers the essence of the Faroe Islands with mountains and fjords, villages and valleys, birds, sheep and nature. Alternatively, those feeling active may wish to join a hike to Hvaanhagi, a beautiful, uninhabited place north of Tvoroyri on the east coast of Suduroy. The view is fantastic towards the three islands of Litla Dimun, Stora Dimun and Skuvoy. There are sheep and birds, a valley with a lake and beautiful high mountains. Spend the afternoon at sea as we return to Scotland.
Day 9, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis & Shiant Islands, Scotland
Today we arrive on the Isle of Lewis, home of the world renowned Harris Tweed, where our group will meet in the home of a young Harris Tweed weaver who left his job as a banker so he could return to life on the island. In the afternoon, we head to the beautiful west coast. Described as Scotland’s Stonehenge, the Callanish Standing Stones date from around 3000 BC. There are a total of 32 stones in a circular and avenue design. The stones stand like a petrified forest on the flat top of a peninsula which reaches out into East Loch Roag. Our final stop is the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a reconstructed settlement of traditional black houses which were made using dry stone masonry and have thatched roofs, distinctively weighted down with rocks. We will board the Zodiacs for a cruise around the spectacular basalt cliffs of the Shiant Islands, a group of little islands located a few miles off the shores of Lewis.
Day 10 St Kilda & Stac Lee
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. For sheep enthusiasts, the history of the Soay is one of the most remarkable in all of European sheep, providing not only a durable wool but a breed with pure genetics owing to the inability to introduce another breed in this remote location. St. Kilda was inhabited until 1930, when the advent of tourism ultimately altered the islanders’ view of their small island life. The 19th century village layout still remains, allowing us to envisage life on this island where the bird life provided sustenance for the villagers.
Day 11 Canna and Loch Scavaig
Canna is strategically placed between the mountains of Rum and the Outer Hebrides. The island and its adjoining neighbour Sanday are bound together like some rare text that reveals over 60 million years of Hebridean geology and history. They have an amazingly rich archaeological landscape with remains dating to all periods of settled occupation in Scotland. Canna is run as a single farm and bird sanctuary by the National Trust for Scotland. The fertile soil and its diversity of habitats mean that the island has an incredibly rich plant life with 248 native flowering plants. In the afternoon, we visit Loch Scavaig on the island of Skye. Just beyond is the freshwater Loch Corruisk with its breathtakingly beautiful view over the Cuillins. This is great walking country, but for those who prefer a less energetic afternoon our Zodiacs will explore the coast looking out for seals
Day 12 Staffa and Iona
We awake this morning at Staffa, the south side where the perpendicular rock face features an imposing series of black basalt columns, known as the Colonnade, which has been cut by the sea into cathedralesque caverns, most notably Fingal’s Cave. Weather permitting, we will use our Zodiacs to explore closer. to Iona which has been occupied for thousands of years and has been a place of pilgrimage and Christian worship for several centuries. We will meet with Michael and Kate Gordon who started Iona Wool, an extraordinary venture in making yarn from the island’s eight different sheep breeds providing additional income forfarmers along with a product that is uniquely island made. Iona is also where St Columba fled from Ireland in 563 and established a monastery. Here his followers were responsible for the conversion of much of pagan Scotland and Northern England. No less than 62 Scottish Kings are buried in the Abbey. Visit the Abbey or perhaps walk along the white sandy beaches or go in search of the corncrake amongst the irises.
Day 13 Oban
Disembark the MS Hebridean Sky after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow Airport at a fixed time.
