BOOK early and save £500 PER PERSON

Midsummer in the An expedition cruise of the Scottish Isles aboard the MS Island Sky 26th June to 3rd July 2015 f ever an archipelago was made for expedition cruising it Our View is the islands off ’s west coast. You can travel the “We are delighted to be able to I offer this unique itinerary aboard world visiting all manner of exotic and wonderful places, but our flagship, the MS Island Sky. Stornoway Shiant Tanera Mor remember that some of the finest scenery, fascinating history We know these waters well after Isles St Kilda and most endearing people may be found close to home. 20 years of operating cruises in Inverewe Nowhere is that truer than around Scotland’s magnificent the Scottish Islands and it is always extra special when we get to bring Loch Scavaig Canna coastline, an indented landscape of enormous natural splendour Pabbay our own ship to the Hebrides. We SCOTLAND with offshore islands forming stepping stones into the Atlantic. can be sure of a warm welcome Mingulay Lunga especially when many of our Oban In the northern summer, when the sun barely shrinks below the expedition staff have lived on the horizon, there is a stillness and an almost wistful feeling in the islands. We will explore the furthest air. This is the time when the enchanted visitor will be moved island from the UK mainland in St and seduced by the majesty of the islands, lochs and seascapes. Kilda, use our Zodiacs to land on the uninhabited island Mingulay islands have some significant One of Europe’s true last remaining wilderness areas affords and to explore the natural beauty historical sites such as the old of Loch Scavaig in addition to village of Mingulay. Despite there the traveller a marvellous island hopping journey through visiting archaeological highlights being a continuous population on stunning scenery accompanied by spectacular sunsets and on Stornoway and the Abbey Mingulay for at least 2000 years, prolific wildlife. With our naturalists and local guides we at Iona. For birders there is also evacuation began in 1907 and the will explore the length and breadth of the isles, and with our the added bonus of seeing the island was completely abandoned amazing bird cliffs at Stac Lee and by its residents in 1912. The islands nimble Zodiac craft be able to reach some of the most remote the wonderful opportunity to get are also a nature reserve with and untouched places. There is no better way to explore this close to puffins at Lunga.” important breeding populations endlessly fascinating and beautiful region that will cast its of razorbills, guillemots, black spell on you than by small ship. Whether your interest lies The Itinerary guillemots, puffins, fulmars and Day 1 Oban. Embark this afternoon shags. in wildlife, gardens, photography, ancient history or simply in Oban. Transfers will be provided an appreciation of this unique corner of the kingdom, this from Glasgow Central Station and Day 3 St Kilda. Arrive at first unique voyage has something for everyone. With just over Glasgow International Airport to light in St Kilda, a remarkable arrive in the late afternoon. Sail uninhabited archipelago some fifty 100 travelling companions, the atmosphere is more akin tonight. miles beyond the . to a private yacht trip and ashore with our local experts The largest island, Hirta, once we will divide into small groups thereby enjoying a more Day 2 Pabbay & Mingulay. Today supported a population of over comprehensive and peaceful experience. Learn something of we explore the remote islands 200, but the last islanders left in at the tip of which the 1930s. The Medieval village the island’s history, see their abundant bird and marine life, are uninhabited. We will use the has been restored by the National but above all revel in the timeless enchantment that these Zodiacs to explore and hope to Trust for Scotland and offers a islands exude to all those who appreciate the natural world. make some beach landings. The marvellous link with the past. The islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds including Loch Scavaig Atlantic puffins and northern fulmars. Later, cruise past two of the largest gannetries in the world at Stac Lee and . These impressive stacs rise 170 metres from the sea and are home to up to 60,000 breeding pairs of northern gannet.

Day 4 Stornoway & . On leaving the island capital of Stornoway, we will head across the island 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. We also visit the Dun Carloway Pictish Broch, probably built sometime in the last century BC, it would have served as an occasionally defensible residence for an extended family complete with accommodation for animals at ground floor level. It would also have served as a visible statement of power and status in the local area. Our final stop is the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village – a reconstructed settlement of traditional black houses where In the northern summer, when the sun barely shrinks below the horizon, there is a stillness and an almost wistful Iona feeling in Puffin the air.

Exploring by Zodiac

people and animals lived in close Day 6 Canna & Loch Scavaig. are buried here, including Duncan, proximity. The houses are made Today, we will arrive at the Small Macbeth’s victim. St Columba came using dry stone masonry and Islands. Spend the morning on here from Ireland in 563 AD and early have thatched roofs, distinctively Canna which has a tiny agricultural Christianity spread through northern weighted down with rocks. Visit and cattle-rearing population. From Britain from this remote island the small museum, enjoy a display a walk along the cliff top we may community. of a typical crofting activity such see golden eagles, white-tailed as weaving and take in the views eagles and peregrine falcons. Day 8 Oban. Disembark this at this dramatic site on the wild At the cliff edge the rare loose- morning after breakfast. Transfers Atlantic coast. Sail this afternoon flowered orchids grow. Sail during will be provided to Glasgow Central past the Shiant Islands a group of lunch to Skye and the majestic Station and International Airport. little islands located a few miles Loch Scavaig and the Cuillins off the shores of Lewis. This is an mountains. These magnificent excellent place to spot seals and mountains form a dramatic hopefully White Tailed Eagles. backdrop to the freshwater loch Prices per person which we will explore by foot. Based on double occupancy Day 5 Tanera Mor & Inverewe BOOK EARLY AND SAVE £500 PER PERSON Gardens. Arrive this morning in Day 7 Lunga & Iona. This morning the beautiful Summer Isles, and we will take to the Zodiacs to explore Deck Suite Category Prices Special Offer the only inhabited island of Tanera the tiny Treshnish Islands, located in Magellan Standard Forward £3295 £2795 Mor. On a guided walk enjoy the the waters between Mull and . Magellan Standard £3495 £2995 stunning views, look out for otters Now uninhabited, this group of low Columbus Superior £3695 £3195 and seals and the prolific bird life. lying islands is home to thousands Marco Polo Premium £3895 £3395 Stop at the unique post office, of sea birds and a large population Marco Polo Corner £4095 £3595 whose own rare stamps are much of common and Atlantic grey seals. Erikson Deluxe Balcony £4395 £3895 sought after by collectors. During Hopefully, land on the largest of the Explorer Owner’s Balcony £4695 £4195 lunch sail south to Gairloch for our islands, Lunga to walk amongst the Magellan Standard for sole use £5195 £4695 visit to the imposing gardens of amazingly tame puffins and see the Columbus Superior for sole use £5895 £5395 Inverewe, surely one of the finest remnants of past habitation that Seven nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis sited gardens in all Scotland. Here, dates back to Viking times. Sail over Price Includes: including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard, shore exotic and tender plants thrive in lunch to Iona, for more than 1000 excursions, Noble Caledonia Expedition Team, transfers, port taxes, gratuities to their northerly location warmed by years, the island of Iona has been a crew and whilst on excursions. the Gulf Stream and protected by place of deep spiritual significance. Not Included: Travel insurance. the surrounding mountains. No less than 62 kings of Scotland NB. Ports subject to change. Lounge

Standard/Forward Suite

MS Island Sky Explorer Deck Balconies

Our much loved MS Island Sky is marble-topped vanity unit with Deck Plan OOwnerwner’s’s BBalconyalcony SuiteSuitess 603 601 one of the finest small ships in the sink and walk-in shower, large Explorer Deck world. With a maximum passenger wardrobes, dressing table with Erikson Deck Jacuzzi Marco Polo Deck LIFT Hair dresser STAIRS & Beauty capacity of only 114, a vessel of her large mirror and stool and excellent ColumbusCenter Deck604 602 OOwnerwner’s’s BalBalconycony SuiteSuitess Magellan Deck size is capable of carrying many storage. There is a mini-fridge, Balconies more but instead the MS Island Sky flat screen television with inbuilt Erikson Deck has the benefit of unusually large DVD players which can also play Balconies Explorer Deck Balconies suites, luxuriously appointed public CDs and a telephone in each suite. DDeluxeeluxe BBalconyalcony SuiteSuitess Radio Chart Hotel room room Buffet Pantry Owner’s Balcony Suites managerOwner´s ’s Balcony511 Suites 509 507 505 Office r office areas and spacious outside decks. Bottled water, towelling dressing STAIRS 603 601 Bridge Lido Open gowns and slippers are also Deck Deck Hair dresser STAIRS LIFSTT AIRS LIFT & Beauty Chief Captain Center 604 602 Engineer Onboard there is a high ratio of provided for your comfort. Other OwOwnerner’s’s BBalconyalcony512 SuiteSuitess 510 508 506 DDeluxeeluxe B Balconyalcony SSuiteuites

Balconies crew to passengers. Our friendly facilities include an electronic safe, Balconies hairdryer, toiletries, air-conditioning crew of 75 are mainly Filipino EriksonMarco DeckPolo Deck Balconies and Eastern European and and heating. Promenade deck DelDeluxeuxe BalcoBalconyny SuiteSuitess Radio Chart room room Buffet Pantry Hotel manager´s 511 509 Pr507emium505 Suites PremiumOffice r Suites Premium Suites Corner Suite office Staff our Scandinavian captains are STAIRS Cabin Bridge Lido Open Deck 427 425 423 421 Deck419 417 415 experienced mariners, having been STAIRS LIFT The Chief Captain Club 512 510 508 506 Engineer in service aboard large 2000 plus DelDeluxeuxe Balc Balconyony SSuiteuites Library STAIRS LIFT Staff Balconies Coffee Cabin 428 426 424 422 420 418 416 414 passenger vessels and who now Station Premium Suites Premium Suites Premium Suites Corner Suite Marco Polo Deck Promenade deck prefer a less frantic life aboard a Promenade deck Premium Suites Premium Suites Premium Suites Corner Suite Staff small ship. Columbus Deck Cabin 427 425 423 421 419 417 415

PromenadeThe deck Club Cruise Cruise Director Superior Suites Superior Suites Superior Suites Library STAIRS LIFT office Staff The atmosphere on board is more Coffee Cabin 428 426347424345422343420341418339416 414335 333 331 329 Station Premium Suites Premium Suites Premium Suites Corner Suite Promenade deck Public Entrance akin to a private yacht or country Lounge bathrooms Hall Reception hotel. A little music in the lounge Columbus Deck STAIRS LIFT STAIRS Promenade deck Cruise 348 346 344 342 340 338 336 334 332 330 Cruise Director SuperiorPurse Suiter’s s SuperiorSuperior Suite Suites s SuperiorSuperior Suite Suites s Superior Suites or bar after dinner, informative office Office Promenade deck 347 345 343 341 339 335 333 331 329 briefings and presentations from Public Entrance Your Space Lounge bathrooms Hall Magellan Deck Reception our Expedition Leader and of The spacious and finely decorated STAIRS LIFT STAIRS 348 346 344 342 340 338 336 334 332 330 Purser’s Standard Suites Superior Suites Superior Suites Superior SuitesHospital course good food which may be public rooms include a large Office Promenade deck Galley 261 259 257 255 Doctor enjoyed leisurely in the attractive lounge where daily briefings and Magellan Deck dining room. After time ashore talks will be provided throughout Restaurant Standard Suites Hospital

Galley STAIRS LIFT 261 259 257 255 Doctor Officer’s you will return to the comfort the voyage and an elegant bar Quarters 252 250 262 260 258 256 254 Standard Suites Standard Suites Standard Suites and peace of a well run and where a pianist plays periodically Restaurant (forward)

STAIRS LIFT Officer’s exceedingly comfortable ship. throughout the day. The bar also 252 250 Quarters 262 260 258 256 254 Standard Suites features a 24-hour tea and coffee Standard Suites Standard Suites (forward) Your Suite station. The onboard library is the Standard Suites (Forward) Premium Suites Deluxe Balcony Suites Onboard there are 57 exceptionally perfect place to relax with a book. Standard Suites (Forward) Premium Suites Single Suites Standard Suites (Forward) Premium Suites Deluxe Balcony Suites spacious and well designed suites. There is a single sitting restaurant StandardStandar dSuite Suitess DeluxeinglePremiumsStandardw) arCornerd Su Balconyite SuitesSuites Suites (For SSuites Corner SuitesOwners Balcony Suites Standard Suites CornerDeluxesCornerStandard Suites SuitesBalcony Suite Suite Owners Balcony Suites All feature a sitting room area and outside there is a rear sun deck SuperiorSuperior Suite Suitess Owners Balcony Suites Superior Suites OwnerssSuperior Balcony Suite Suite and some have private balconies. where meals are served in warm The passenger accommodation is weather under shade, a bar and This cruise visits out of the way destinations. You will be arranged over five decks and all comfortable deck furniture for sun accompanied by an expedition team and some landings suites have outside views. Each bathing or relaxing with a book. ashore will be made by Zodiac landing craft. Cruises such affords considerable comfort On the top deck there is a further as this will appeal to the more adventurous and those with en-suite bathroom featuring observation and sun deck. who enjoy the natural world.

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All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: St Kilda