Scotland By Sea
May 15 -24, 2023
Spectacular seascapes, historic castles, dedicated farmers and gifted artisans are just a few of the highlights from our new, in-depth tour of the Scottish Isles. Whether you are immersed in all-things-fiber or have always dreamed of visiting the Scottish Isles, our 10-day trip includes traditional highlights along with several unique destinations.
Itinerary*
Day 1: Aberdeen - Board MS Serenissima mid-afternoon
Day 2: Orkney Islands: Fair Isle and North Ronaldsay
Day 3: Shetland Islands: Lerwick
Day 4: Orkney Islands, Stromness
Day 5: Isle of Lewis, Stornoway
Day 6: Outer Hebrides, St. Kilda
Day 7: Inner Hebrides, Isle of Skye, Lock Skavaig
Day 8: Staff, Iona & Treshnish
Day 9: Gigha and Islay
Day 10: Oban
*Kindly note itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions.
Accommodations
If large, resort-style vessels accommodating thousands of passengers are your ideal, then the MS Serenissima is not the vessel for you. No nightly floor shows, round-the-clock buffets or crowded decks by the swimming pool. However, if you prefer a more peaceful life at sea you will find the MS Serenissima the perfect ship. She is more akin to a country hotel than a seafaring leviathan. She is equal parts charming and just a tad quirky.
Things that make this trip unique
Scotland offers a range of destinations and though it is roughly the size of South Carolina, the diversity of life and livelihood in the Scottish Isles is best explored by sea. This is our only tour to Scotland that stops at North Ronaldsay, the northern most island in the Orkneys (population 72). Within fiber circles, it is famous for its seaweed-eating sheep that were walled off the island's pasture land in the 1830s, reserving the grazing land for more valuable cattle. To this day, when the tide comes in the lapping waves signal the "dinner bell" as hundreds of sheep race for the water's edge.
Textiles
We will have several opportunities to see (and purchase) some of Scotland's iconic textiles including a visit to the Harris Tweed Mill, master knitters on Fair Isle, and an abundance of yarns and tams at Jamieson and Smith.
Cost
Full itinerary and cabin features
What's Included
What's Not Included
All accommodations and meals
All transportation to designated venues on the itinerary.
All tickets for museum and historic site access.
Alcoholic Beverages
Tips and Gratuities
International flights
Travel Insurance (mandatory)
What are the physical requirements?
Each person must be fully ambulatory and able to walk up to two miles without stopping. If walking long distances or along uneven surfaces is problematic, hiking poles are strongly recommended. You will have the option of walking up to the Tiger's Nest. It is a relatively gradual incline along a dirt path, roundtrip 5.3 miles.
