Expedition Through the Scottish Isles: Where Land Meets Legend
- Trip code: 425X006
- Dauer: 10
- Stil: Marine
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.
Übersicht
Accommodation
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
Checklist
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)
Expedition:
• Binoculars (highly recommended)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Credit cards (Please note the Expedition is cashless and only accepts credit cards for payment.)
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Drybag (To protect your camera and belongings on Zodiac landings)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Recommended for Antarctic camping)
• Fleece jacket or warm layer
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear (good gripping) (Please note that open toed shoes are not allowed in public spaces on the Expedition.)
• Hat
• Long pants/jeans
• Moisturizer/lip balm
• Moneybelt
• Motion sickness tablets
• Outlet adapter (Electricity onboard is 220AC electrical outlets, with European 2 pin round holes, as well as 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only.)
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Scarf (Or neck warmer.)
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Sunblock (Antarctica is a desert!)
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Thermal base layer
• Thermal underwear
• Toiletries (Shampoo and shower gel are provided aboard the Expedition.)
• Walking poles (if desired)
• Warm hat
• Warm waterproof gloves
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof pants (Mandatory for all Zodiac landings)
• Wool/Heavy socks
Health & Safety:
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
Group Leader
One expedition team member per 10 guests
Group Size Notes
Max 128 aboard the Expedition
Highlights
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
Introduction
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
Meals Included
9 Frühstück, 8 Mittagessen, 9 Abendessen
Meal Budget
Optional Activities
Keine optionale Aktivitäten
Start / Finish
Edinburgh nach Greenock
Transport
Expedition, Zodiac, private vehicle, walking
What's Included
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
Minimum Age
Minimum age of 10 years for this trip
Itinerary
Day 1 Edinburgh/Leith
Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Leith in the late afternoon. Arrival transfer included
Day 2 Leith to Kirkwall/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
Day 3 Shetland & 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
Day 4 Shetland & 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
Day 5 Shetland & 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
Day 6 Shetland & 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
Day 7 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
Day 8 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
Day 9 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
Day 10 Greenock/Glasgow
Shortly after breakfast, disembark at the Port of Greenock. From here, you will need to transfer to Glasgow Airport for your departing flight
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Edinburgh/Leith
Please make sure you drop your checked luggage off at the meeting point between 9am - 12pm. A local representative will be in the luggage storage room. They can provide general information about the town or your embarkation process.
All passengers will be transferred to the ship as a group for embarkation at 4pm. Please ensure that for embarkation you have your passport accessible (not in your luggage which is being transferred separately to the ship). Please ensure your flight arrives by 1pm at the latest in order to be on time for today's 4pm embarkation
Day 2 Leith to Kirkwall/Orkney Islands
Day 3 Shetland & Orkney Islands
Day 4 Shetland & Orkney Islands
Day 5 Shetland & Orkney Islands
Day 6 Shetland & Orkney Islands
Day 7 Orkney Islands/Thurso
Day 8 Thurso/St. Kilda Archipelago
Day 9 St. Kilda Archipelago/Hebrides
Day 10 Greenock/Glasgow
For guests departing on disembarkation day, G Adventures will provide a complimentary transfer at 8:00am to Glasgow International Airport from the port.
For guests who are planning on staying in Glasgow post trip, taxis will be available for hire at the port to transfer them to their accommodations.
All transfer arrangements will be confirmed while on board prior to departure, to ensure that all needs are met.
Please do not book onward travel prior to 12:00pm.
