IN the HEBRIDES an EXPEDITION CRUISE of the REMOTE SCOTTISH ISLES ABOARD the MS SERENISSIMA 20TH to 29TH JULY 2022 Tobermory
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SUMMER IN THE HEBRIDES AN EXPEDITION CRUISE OF THE REMOTE SCOTTISH ISLES ABOARD THE MS SERENISSIMA 20TH TO 29TH JULY 2022 Tobermory f ever an archipelago was made for expedition cruising it is the islands off Scotland’s west Stac Lee Icoast which form stepping stones into the Atlantic. Here you will find magnificent scenery, Isle of Lewis fascinating history and enormous natural splendour. We will be exploring the wonders of the St Kilda Shiant Islands Hebrides in the northern summer when the sun barely shrinks below the horizon and when Inverewe Lochmaddy Gardens there is a stillness and an almost wistful feeling in the air. This is the time when the enchanted Dunvegan Loch Scavaig Rum visitor will be moved and seduced by the majesty of the islands, lochs and seascapes. One of Canna Tobermory Tiree Oban Europe’s true last remaining wilderness areas affords the traveller a marvellous island hopping Staffa Iona SCOTLND journey through stunning scenery accompanied by spectacular sunsets and wonderful wildlife. Colonsay With our naturalists and local guides we will explore the length and breadth of the isles, and with our nimble Zodiac craft be able to reach some of the most remote and untouched places. There is no better way to explore this endlessly fascinating and beautiful region that will cast its spell on you than by our small ship, the MS Serenissima. Whether your interest lies in wildlife, gardens, photography, ancient history or simply an appreciation of this unique corner of the kingdom, this unique voyage has something for everyone. With just 95 travelling companions, the atmosphere on board is more akin to a private yacht trip and ashore with our local experts we will divide into small groups thereby enjoying a more comprehensive and peaceful experience. Cross. We continue to Iona which into cathedralesque caverns, most we sail the short distance to Canna. The Itinerary has been occupied for thousands notably Fingal’s Cave. Weather Strategically placed between the Day 1 Oban, Scotland. Embark of years and has been a place of permitting, we will use our Zodiacs mountains of Rum and the Outer this afternoon. Transfers will pilgrimage and Christian worship to explore closer. Sail over lunch to Hebrides, the island of Canna and be provided from Glasgow for several centuries. It was to the Small Islands for an afternoon its adjoining neighbour Sanday International Airport and Glasgow this flat, Hebridean island that on Rum which is a nature reserve. are bound together like some rare Central Station at a fixed time. St Columba fled from Ireland in We will walk the nature trail, a text that reveals over 60 million Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner 563 and established a monastery. beautiful area of wildflowers and years of Hebridean geology and as we sail this evening and anchor Here his followers were responsible typical Scottish island scenery. This history. They have an amazingly overnight off Colonsay. for the conversion of much of lovely island is also a bird watcher’s rich archaeological landscape with pagan Scotland and Northern paradise. remains dating to all periods of Day 2 Colonsay & Iona. Lying England. No less than 62 Scottish settled occupation in Scotland. between Mull and Islay, we will Kings are buried in the Abbey. Visit Day 4 Loch Scavaig & Canna. Canna is run as a single farm and spend the morning exploring the the Abbey or perhaps walk along Awake this morning in lovely Loch bird sanctuary by the National island of Colonsay with her craggy, the white sandy beaches or go in Scavaig on the island of Skye. Just Trust for Scotland and enjoys the heather-clad hills and sparse search of the corncrake amongst beyond is the freshwater Loch best harbour in the Small Isles, a woodland yet impressive array of the irises. Corruisk with its breathtakingly horn-shaped haven. The fertile soil plants and birdlife. Near Colonsay beautiful view over the Cuillins. This and its diversity of habitats mean House, built in 1722 by Malcolm Day 3 Staffa & Rum. At first is great walking country and our that the island has an incredibly rich MacNeil and bought by Lord light we arrive at Staffa where the expedition team will run a series plant life with 248 native flowering Strathcona in 1904, we will visit the perpendicular rock face features of hikes for all interests. For those plants recorded. We will see Canna attractively dilapidated woodland an imposing series of black basalt who prefer a less energetic morning House and wander across grassy gardens which protect the tiny, columns, known as the Colonnade, our Zodiacs will explore the coast basalt plateaus to the 600 foot cliffs enigmatic 8th century St Oran’s which has been cut by the sea looking out for seals. Over lunch on the north shore. www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Loch Scavaig Inverewe Gardens Callanish Standing Stones St Kilda Day 5 Dunvegan & Lochmaddy. little islands located a few miles sea stacks in Britain, Hirta, St Kilda’s 60,000 breeding pairs of northern From our anchorage we will use off the shores of Lewis. This is an main island was occupied on and gannet. the Zodiacs to access the MacLeod excellent place to spot puffins, off for at least two thousand years, stronghold of Dunvegan Castle. razorbills, guillemots, seals and with the last 36 Gaelic speaking Day 9 Tiree & Tobermory. Today Remarkably, the castle has been hopefully white-tailed eagles. inhabitants evacuated at their own we will visit the most westerly almost continuously occupied request in 1930. Immediately after island of the Inner Hebrides, Tiree. by the MacLeods for nearly Day 7 Isle of Lewis. On leaving the the evacuation, the island was Boasting one of the sunniest eight centuries. Tour the castle, island capital of Stornoway, we will bought by the Marquess of Bute to locations in the UK, Tiree is a a fascinating place that contains head across the island of Lewis to protect the island’s thousands of wildflower and birdlife haven work from at least ten building the beautiful west coast. Described seabirds including puffin and with shell-sand blown machair periods. Then explore the gardens, as Scotland’s Stonehenge, the fulmars, and in 1957 it was grasslands and white beaches following paths through woodland Callanish Standing Stones date bequeathed to The National Trust known for their natural beauty and glades past pools and burns fed from around 3000 BC. There are a for Scotland. St Kilda is one of only colour. Over lunch we sail to the by a waterfall. The formal gardens total of 32 stones in a circular and a few UNESCO World Heritage Isle of Mull and the pretty port of were laid out in the 18th century avenue design. The stones stand Sites with dual status reflecting its Tobermory. Spend the afternoon and make a wonderful contrast to like a petrified forest on the flat top natural and cultural significance. at leisure in the town walking the moorland hills and sea. Also of a peninsula which reaches out The local ranger will join us on amongst the colourful buildings, keep a look out for the seal colony into East Loch Roag. We also visit board before our expedition staff visit the town’s distillery or maybe on the adjoining rocks as we return the Dun Carloway Pictish Broch, lead a number of guided walks on take the coastal walk to the Rubha to the ship. We then sail into probably built sometime in the last the island. This afternoon we will nan Gall lighthouse. Lochmaddy where we can listen century BC, it would have served cruise past two of the largest for the call of the rare corncrake as an occasionally defensible gannetries in the world at Stac Lee Day 10 Oban. Disembark this over the machair and enjoy a walk residence for an extended family and Stac an Armin. These morning. Transfers will be provided amongst the dramatic scenery of complete with accommodation impressive stacs rise 170 metres to Glasgow Central Station and sandy beaches, dunes and marshy for animals at ground floor level. from the sea and are home to up to Glasgow Airport at a fixed time. loch. Alternatively visit the Barpa Our final stop is the Gearrannan Langais burial chamber, dating Blackhouse Village, a reconstructed from neolithic times, and the settlement of traditional black standing stones and stone circles at houses which were made using dry PRICES PER PERSON Based on double occupancy Fir Bhreige and Pobull Fhinn. stone masonry and have thatched roofs, distinctively weighted down Cat Cabin Description Price Day 6 Inverewe & Shiant Islands. with rocks. Visit the small museum, 2 Standard Stateroom £4095 This morning we visit one of enjoy a display of a typical crofting 3 Classic Stateroom £4395 Scotland’s premier gardens, activity such as weaving and take 4 Superior Stateroom £4795 Inverewe. This botanical garden in in the views of this dramatic site 5 Deluxe Stateroom £5295 the northwest Highlands presents on the wild Atlantic coast. Return 6 Junior Suite £5795 an amazing collection of exotic to the ship for lunch and spend 7 Owner’s Suite £6195 trees and shrubs that are sheltered an afternoon at leisure to explore 8 Serenissima Suite £6495 by well-positioned windbreaks of Stornoway at your own pace. 10 Standard Single £4995 native pine. After a guided tour of the gardens, we will return to the Day 8 St Kilda & Stac Lee. PRICE INCLUDES: Nine nights aboard the MS Serenissima on a full MS Serenissima and sail the short Arrive over breakfast at St Kilda, board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner distance to the Shiant Islands.