A beautifully wild and rugged network of islands and coastlines will
unfold before you on this magical voyage through the Scottish Isles. Making your way from Bergen, Norway, you’ll encounter pristine beaches, picturesque harbors and fascinating birdlife
as you traverse Scotland’s remote North Isles, Inner and Outer
Hebrides – a network of hundreds of craggy islands offering
spectacular landscapes. Once through the tranquillity of the
archipelago, this diverse adventure will take a livelier turn, as
you finish with visits to the Northern Irish and Irish capitals of
Belfast and Dublin.
Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight
to Bergen, Norway.
Day
2 Bergen, Norway
Welcome to Bergen, Norway’s
magnificent second city, where you’ll be warmly greeted on
board Scenic Eclipse. Meal: D
Day
3 Lerwick, Shetlands, United Kingdom
Lying between
Norway and the north coastline of Scotland, Lerwick is the
Shetland Islands’ capital, and only town. A picturesque harbour
town surround by spectacular nature and wildlife, here you’ll
learn about the ancient Norse roots of the island with its historic
Viking sites, longship replicas and longhouses. Meals: B, L, D
Day
4 Kirkwall, Orkney
Kirkwall is the Orkney Islands’ beating
heart, where Viking roots continue to run through its ancient
winding streets. Originally called ‘Kirkjuvagur’, meaning ’Church
on the Bay’, the Norse cathedral of St Magnus is still a
magnificent focal point for the Orkney capital today. A fine
example of an ancient Norse town. Meals: B, L, D
Day
5 Stornoway, Hebrides
Sail for Scotland’s Outer Hebrides
to Stornoway, on the east coast of the Isle of Lewis and the Isle
of Harris (which is actually one island). A natural sheltered
harbour, the town was named by the Vikings as Steering Bay,
later to be translated to Stornoway. On the Isles of Lewis and
Harris you’ll find medieval castles, Gaelic culture and rugged
coastlines that give way to dramatic island landscapes and
majestic white-sand beaches. Meals: B, L, D
Day
6 Portree, Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is a true gem of
Scotland’s Islands, and Portree is Skye’s main town and cultural
hub; a pretty harbour famous for its brightly painted waterfront
houses. Beyond Portree lies an enchanting island full of natural
wonders, including distinctive rock formations and the rugged
peaks of the Quiraing. Meals: B, L, D
Day
7 Tobermory, Isle of Mull > Fort William
The picture-postcard
harbours of Scotland keep coming with a visit to
Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. A half day can be spent exploring
the town, its sheltered bay and colourful harbour-front
buildings, before leaving for Fort William on mainland Scotland.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
8 Fort William
On the shores of Loch Linnhe and in the
shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, Fort William
takes up a simply majestic setting. With a full day in the self-proclaimed
Outdoor Capital of the UK, your time here will allow
you to explore some of the Scottish Highland’s finest scenery,
including Glen Nevis – a quite magnificent glacial valley.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
9 Iona
It’s back out to island life with a visit to the
tranquil Isle of Iona, just off the west coast of Mull. At just three
miles long and one mile wild, this small holy island has played a
big role in Christianity throughout the ages. And religious history
aside, you’ll be quickly won over by the slower place of life of
this enchanting isle, as you stroll Iona’s beautiful sandy beaches
looking out for its varied wildlife. Meals: B, L, D
Day
10 Douglas, Isle of Man
The capital of the Isle of Man,
Douglas, welcomes you to one of the most beautiful areas of
Britain. Snaefell is the island’s only mountain and its summit –
which can be reached from Douglas on the Snaefell Mountain
Railway – offers not only spectacular views, but is also the only
place in the UK you can see all of England, Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland on a clear day. A curious quirk for an island not
actually part of the UK. Meals: B, L, D
Day
11 Belfast, Northern Ireland
After the peacefulness of
Iona, today you’ll arrive in bustling Belfast – a city transformed. With its rich cultural heritage, you’ll have the day to explore
Belfast’s world-class museums and flourishing arts scene. Not
to mention the city’s famous maritime history found in the
Titanic Quarter, now one of the world’s largest urban-waterfront
regeneration projects. Meals: B, L, D
Day
12 Dublin, Ireland
Your cruise ends this morning in the
Irish capital of Dublin. Say farewell to the crew and disembark
Scenic Eclipse for your journey home and be transferred to the
airport for your flight home, arriving the following day. Meal: B