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The Scottish Isles – Island Hopping in the Hebrides (Spitsbergen)

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The Scottish Isles – Island Hopping in the Hebrides (Spitsbergen) THE SCOTTISH ISLES – ISLAND HOPPING IN THE HEBRIDES (SPITSBERGEN) This is a truly varied expedition cruise with many beach landings. Go on guided walks on remote islands and explore lonely beaches at your own pace, all the while immersing yourself in the wild beauty of the surroundings. Leaving Glasgow, our first island will be Arran, known as a microcosm of Scotland and a great contrast to the next – the wild, whisky island of Islay with its many distilleries. Voyaging west, the wildlife of the Treshnish Isles will be a splendid sight - bustling with seals, before the towering sea cliffs of the St. Kilda archipelago, teeming with nesting seabirds from puffins to predatory skuas, provide an unforgettable experience. We call at Stornoway to see the tough and unique Harris Tweed being woven, have a special pub visit in the bustling tiny port of Tobermory, capital of the Isle of Mull which also has an enticing range of craft shops and seafood. We walk the shores of one of ITINERARY Scotland’s most dramatic lochs, Loch Coruisk, surrounded by lofty mountains. We can hike island peaks for views stretching Day 1 ‘Dear Green Place’ over the seas, kayak in sheltered lochs, or simply stroll Our voyage starts in Glasgow. Meaning ‘Dear Green Place’ in delightful gardens. These are all ‘ours’ for exploring. Gaelic, Glasgow boasts over 90 parks and gardens. Famous for its Victorian as well as art nouveau architecture, it is home to such institutions as the Scottish Ballet, Opera and National Theatre. This is definitely a city you’ll want to explore more before you board MS Spitsbergen. Day 2 A Microcosm of Scotland Warmed by the North Atlantic Drift, this sheltered island with its high peaks, is a haven for wildlife. Dramatic mountains, a distinctive distillery and good hiking all add to a microcosm of Scotland. Brodick town has its 16th century red-sandstone castle whilst the ruined castle of Lochranza was once a royal 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com hunting lodge. from the sea where the colour of the waters within the cave and its rising columns are at their most impressive. Day 3 Land of Scottish Whisky Once the seat of the MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles, this is Day 6 Reclaimed by Nature ‘whisky island’, world renowned for its peaty single-malt Any visit to this distant and wild archipelago, with its whiskies and many distilleries. As a stop-off for wintering geese breathtaking sea cliffs, is totally weather-dependent. As a and migrating birds, there is good bird spotting. In the charming UNESCO double World Heritage Site and the ‘jewel in the crown’ little town of Bowmore, there are a handful of small shops, an of the National Trust for Scotland, it is an unforgettable interesting round church with no corners, plus superb cliff-top experience. The outlying stacs and islands, which are the walks and a well known golf course. remains of a volcanic crater, provide ledges for thousands of nesting seabirds. Minke whales are frequently seen around the Day 4 ‘The Good Isle’ swirling waters of the archipelago. Once home to Britain’s most Tiny Gigha (pronounced Gee’a) is the ‘Good Isle’ and is owned remote island community, it was evacuated in 1930 at their by the islanders. Dairy cows produce a distinctive cheddar-type own request after 5,000 years of continuous habitation. The tiny cheese, whilst Achamore House, set in fifty acres of woodland museum that remains is a record of how hard life was on this gardens, was once the home of Sir James Horlick who created a exposed island. colourful and impressive display of rhododendrons. Day 7 Capital of the Outer Hebrides Day 5 Pilgrims and Puffins Originally a Viking settlement, Stornoway is the main town of the World famous for its religious connections, Iona was settled in Western Isles and the capital of the Isle of Lewis, which is the 563 AD by the Irish missionary, St Colomba. The much-restored largest and most northerly of the Outer Hebrides. A bustling Abbey still remains a place of pilgrimage and peace. Wide views harbour and waterfront with museums and art galleries are from the beach, known as ‘The Bay at the Back of the Ocean’ overlooked by the handsome Lews Castle which we invite you to stretch west towards the Outer Hebrides. We will explore explore with us. Further afield are mills and cottages where Treshnish Isles, a group of distinctive volcanic islands which are hard-wearing Harris Tweed is woven. There are tiny folk home to a wealth of wildlife, from nesting puffins to colonies of museums, the world-famous Callanish Standing Stones, and kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots and Atlantic grey seals. Fingal’s the mysterious Carloway Broch - the best preserved fort in Cave, immortalised by Mendelssohn’s glorious ‘Hebrides Scotland dating back more than 2,000 years. Late afternoon we Overture’, is on the cave-riddled island of Staffa. The basalt explore the Shiant Isles. Privately owned since 1937, this tiny columns here are a northern extension of the Giant’s Causeway. archipelago set in the midst of the Minch, the area of sea Discovered by the Vikings, visited by Sir Joseph Banks, and between the Outer Hebrides and Skye, has numerous colonies viewed by Queen Victoria, Sir Walter Scott and Samuel Johnson, of nesting seabirds. Puffins, razorbills, shags, eider ducks and this is one of Scotland’s most famous islands. It is best viewed guillemots all throng the surrounding waters, perching on 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com volcanic ledges above basking sharks and seals. MacIains. The castle has been frequently fought over, changing hands many times between the Macdonald and Campbell Day 8 The Beauty of Loch Coruick clans. Surrounded by the high peaks of the Skye Cullins, Loch Scavaig leads to one of the most romantic and dramatic lochs in Day 10 The Birds and the Bees Scotland – freshwater Loch Coruisk. Painted by Turner and a Home to over 200 bird species, including the rare and elusive popular destination for the Victorians, this is a powerful corncrake, this is a gentle island of woods and pretty beaches, landscape promising great hiking and kayaking. We head to the such as Kiloran Bay, and with Scalasaig being the main Isle of Eigg to spend the rest of our day on this craggy island. settlement. Colonsay House is home to exotic gardens and the Settled since prehistoric times, it was once the seat of the Lord surrounding woods, moors and fields have over 400 species of of the Isles, but is now owned by its inhabitants. The island has flora. The island offers easy walking and kayaking in the Iron Age forts, a 6th century church, and turbulent clan history surrounding waters. with a massacre of 395 MacDonalds in a sea-shore cave. Rising sheer above the island is the crest of the ‘Sgurr of Eigg’ Day 11 ‘Dear Green Place’ offering a great hike and stunning views across the waters of the Our voyage ends back in Glasgow, home to more than 20 Minch to the Outer Hebrides. museums and galleries, including the magnificent Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the Riverside Museum. Many of these are Day 9 The Clash of Clans housed in distinctive Victorian buildings, some designed by We will be anchored in the Sound of Mull which will enable us renowned architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This is definitely to explore the fascinating town of Tobermory as well as Loch a city you’ll want to explore more before you head home. Sunart. The Isle of Mull is a large island of sweeping moors, tiny hamlets and castles. Recognised as the island’s capital, Please Note: Tobermory is a delightful deep-water fishing port where brightly Hurtigruten offers unique expedition cruises to some of the most painted Georgian houses ring the tiny bay. Nestled under the remote and pristine waters of the world. As with all expeditions; steep hillsides, the town has a good variety of cafés and nature prevails. Weather, and ice and sea conditions, sets the restaurants, book shops, craft shops, a tiny museum and an final framework for all Hurtigruten’s operations. Safety and ancient distillery. Stretching inland opposite Tobermory and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times our top protected by the rugged point of Ardnamurchan, lies Britain’s priorities. All our indicative itineraries are continuously most westerly mainland point, Loch Sunart. The deep, quiet evaluated for adaptions, whether this is due to constraints the waters of this long loch offer sheltered kayaking, while the loch elements unexpectedly presents – or exciting possibilities nature shores provide superb walking, perhaps to the recently and wildlife offer. That is why we call it an expedition. established distillery. Guarding the entrance of the loch stands 13th century Mingary Castle, once the stronghold of the 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: SPITSBERGEN YOUR SHIP: Spitsbergen phenomena we encounter along the coast. In addition, the Expedition Team will introduce you to the uniquely Norwegian ExpeditionPassenger Capacity: notion of `friluftsliv´ (outdoor 335Built / refurbished: 2009 / VESSEL TYPE: 2016 LENGTH: PASSENGER CAPACITY: BUILT/REFURBISHED: Completely rebuilt in 2016, the 100 metre MS Spitsbergen features high technical standards as well as comfortable, modern public areas and cabins. The vessel's fresh Scandinavian design reflects a colour palette derived from the life), and encourage you take part in `friluftsliv´ hikes and sea. She is modern and environmentally progressive, and activities during the journey. further improvements that will reduce emissions and fuel Ship Facilities consumption even more are in process.
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