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Home , Mingulay, Shetland

laun offer - chsav e £500 Islands PER PERSON on the Edge An expedition exploring the , Faroes, and Islands aboard the Sea Explorer 16th to 27th May 2016 , Orkney Islands

ome with us and see nature in the raw. Expedition Highlights This expedition cruise will appeal to Mykines Torshavn • Unique itinerary incorporating SHETLAND those who prefer their islands deserted, visits to the remote, inhabited and ISLANDS uninhabited islands of but with abundant bird and wildlife. We will and the Faroe Islands journey along rugged coastlines and once • Includes rarely visited islands such ORKNEY inhabited islands aboard the 114-passenger as Foula, and ISLANDS North Ronaldsay Sea Explorer, venturing far north to the Papa Stour St Kilda • Excellent birding and wildlife , Faroes, Orkneys and opportunities in Mykines, Fair Isle . We will witness vibrant colours, and the Stacs around St Kilda Pabbay SCOTLAND • View the historical sites of Orkney, amazingly prolific birdlife, deserted villages Oban St Kilda and Lerwick. Leith and learn of the history and ancient culture • Visit to UK’s northernmost point of unique island life. on Unst in the Shetlands

Few ships make the journey to the outer islands we feature in this itinerary so to explore them with just 100 fellow guests is something special indeed. To be able to combine visits to the small communities of Fetlar, Unst, Mykines and Foula with our calls into uninhabited St Kilda, North Rona and Mingulay along with our time spent in the towns of Lerwick, Kirkwall and Torshavn makes our itinerary unique and allows us to learn of the history and culture, witness the flora and fauna of these remote islands and truly understand what it is like to live on the ‘Islands on the Edge’.

We have been operating cruises around the tip of Scotland for many years and know this to be an itinerary that is perfectly suited to small ship cruising especially aboard a vessel with the self-sufficient qualities of the Sea Explorer. With our fleet of Zodiacs we are able to make calls into some of the remote and uninhabited islands that surround the Scottish coast, land on remote beaches and cruise close to shorelines and cliffs crowded with birdlife. Keeping a flexible schedule, our experienced Captain and Expedition Team are able to make the most of the most of each day based on the weather and wildlife sightings. Mousa, Shetland Islands St Kilda

Mingulay

Puffin

FAROE ISLANDS Mykines Torshavn The Itinerary Day 1 Oban, Scotland. Embark marvellous link with the past. The Day 5 Torshavn, Faroe Islands. island. This afternoon we hope to SHETLAND this afternoon. Transfers will islands are an important breeding Enjoy a morning at sea before explore the huge caves of Vagar ISLANDS Unst be provided from ground for many including we arrive in the Faroe Islands that have been created by the Fetlar Papa Stour Lerwick International Airport and Glasgow Atlantic puffins and northern at lunchtime. From our berth as we sail back to Foula Mousa Central Station at a fixed time. Sail fulmars. Later, cruise past two of we will join a guided tour Scotland. ORKNEY Fair Isle this evening. the largest gannetries in the world through Torshavn over the hills North Rona ISLANDS North Ronaldsay at Boreray and Stac Lee as we sail to Kirkjubour, the island’s oldest Day 7 Foula and Papa Stour, St Kilda Kirkwall Day 2 Mingulay & Pabbay, Outer to North Rona. cultural centre, where we see Shetland Islands. We return to Hebrides. Today we explore the the ruins of the 13th century St. Scotland this morning at Foula, remote islands at the tip of South Magnus Cathedral and the 11th one of Britain’s most remote Pabbay including Mingulay and century church, still in use. We also inhabited islands. Apart from a SCOTLAND Mingulay Pabbay. We will use the Zodiacs to visit the 900-year old “Roykstovan”, narrow coastal strip of more fertile Oban explore and hope to make some the old bishopric, considered to land, Foula is an expanse of Leith beach landings. Despite there be the oldest wooden house in and moorland rising steeply being a continuous population on Europe. We will moor overnight for to five dramatic peaks. In the Mingulay for at least two thousand those that wish to explore the town long midsummer days, Foula’s years, evacuation began in 1907 this evening. wildflowers provide a glorious and the island was completely burst of colour. The world’s largest abandoned by its residents in Day 6 Mykines, Faroe Islands. colony of Great Skuas compete 1912. The islands are also a Today we will use our Zodiacs to fiercely with many Parasitic Jaegers nature reserve with important explore the westernmost islands of for breeding territories. Over Harbour seal breeding populations of razorbills, the Faroes. One of the loveliest of lunch we sail the short distance to guillemots, black guillemots, the archipelago, it is wonderfully Papa Stour where we will use our puffins, fulmars and shags. Day 4 North Rona. Spend the day green and its single village with Zodiacs to explore the stunning around North Rona, an isolated bright turf roofed houses and scenery, sea stacks, arches, Day 3 St Kilda. Awake this island some fifty miles north of turf streets is a delight. One of blowholes and coastal caves. morning in St Kilda, a remarkable . The last islanders the best walks in the Faroes can uninhabited archipelago some fifty left North Rona in 1844 and today be found here at “Lundaland” Day 8 Unst and Fetlar, Shetland miles beyond the Outer Hebrides. it is home to thirteen species of (land of the puffin) on the islet of Islands. We continue our The largest island, , once breeding seabirds including large Mtkinesholmur, which is connected of the Shetland Islands supported a population of over colonies of great black-backed to Mykines by a small bridge. with our visit to the northern 200, but the last islanders left in gulls, great skuas and puffins. There will be time to explore the islands of Unst and Fetlar. Unst is the 1930s. The Medieval village There is also a large population which was built in 1909, Britain’s most northerly inhabited has been restored by of grey seals which we hope to and view the large numbers of island and at the Heritage Centre Trust for Scotland and offers a observe on a Zodiac cruise. puffins and gannets that inhabit the we will learn about the islanders Torshavn, Faroe Islands

Northern wheatear

Exploring by Zodiac

struggles over the centuries and of Mousa to see the forty-foot an area designated as a World storms only 150 years ago. Time the industries that have prospered defensive tower built by the Heritage Site due to its wealth permitting we will also visit , whilst the Unst Boat Haven is more than 2000 years ago, and the of pre-historic archaeology. We the ancient centre of Viking power dedicated to the history of the tallest, best preserved example of will see the Standing Stones of and explore St Magnus Church islands distinctive wooden boats an Iron Age (tower) in Britain. Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar; a which dates back over 900 years. which descend from Viking craft. huge ceremonial circle of stones Alternatively discover Day 10 Fair Isle & North dating back almost 5000 years. Day 12 Leith. Disembark this National Nature Reserve with Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands. This We continue to the 5000-year-old morning. Transfers will be provided views over to morning we call at Fair Isle. village of Skara and see the to Waverley train station and stacks and home to thousands of The tiny population of sixty or remarkable dwellings revealed International airport gannets and puffins as well as rare so islanders always extend us from beneath the sand dunes by after breakfast. arctic-alpine plants. Over lunch we a warm welcome. Enjoy a walk sail to Fetlar, inhabited for over across the island, perhaps visiting 5000 years the island lays claim the Bird Observatory, searching to being the first Norse landing out the puffin slopes. Sail over Prices per person site in the Shetlands. Known as lunch to the Orkney Islands and Based on double occupancy the most fertile of the Shetland North Ronaldsay which supports LAUNCH OFFER – SAVE £500 PER PERSON OFF THE BROCHURE Islands, the wildflowers bring a rich and diverse population PRICE FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF SUITES ONLY colour to the landscape whilst the of wild flowers, mammals and Cat Cabin Description Deck Brochure Price Special Offer birdlife on the island is prolific. At birds. It lies on the migration E Suite with portholes 2 £5120 £4620 the Fetlar Interpretative Centre crossroads with birds heading D Suite with window 3 £5320 £4820 and Museum we will learn about north towards , Greenland C Suite with window 4 £5580 £5080 the wildlife and archaeological and whilst common B Corner Suite with window 4 £5865 £5365 history before exploring ourselves. and grey seals are numerous. Join A Suite with private balcony Veranda £6040 £5540 our naturalists for guided walks AA Suite with private balcony Penthouse £6350 £5850 across the island including the Day 9 Lerwick & Mousa, Shetland E Suite with portholes for sole use 2 £6420 £5920 After breakfast, discover lighthouse. Islands. D Suite with window for sole use 3 £6620 £6120 the Shetland capital and begin C Suite with window for sole use 4 £6880 £6380 your exploration of this historic Day 11 Kirkwall, Orkney Islands. port with a tour that wanders From the Orkney capital of Kirkwall 11 nights aboard the Sea Explorer on a full board basis including through its narrow stone lanes. we will head into the west of Price Includes: wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard, shore excursions, We will visit the excellent Shetland Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. Noble Caledonia Expedition Team, gratuities onboard and whilst ashore. Museum, containing artefacts from We will pass through gentle Not Included: Travel insurance. shipwrecks and the whaling era. rolling landscape and into the NB. All special offers are subject to availability. Ports and itinerary subject to We sail over lunch to the island Heartland of Orkney; change based on local conditions. Sea Explorer Sea Explorer, previously known as Corinthian II, will be joining the Noble Caledonia fleet in the spring of 2016. She will receive an extensive refit in April 2016 and thereby offer the same standards and style as her sister vessels the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky. Prior to 2016 Noble Caledonia will be honouring the existing charters with a number of specialist cruise companies that are already in place as well as operating a series of cruises from March to June 2015.

Like her sister ships, our very own MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky, Sea Explorer is one of the finest small ships in the world and Sea Explorer offers exceptionally spacious and well designed suites, beautifully appointed public areas and the highest standards of service and food. She is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing. The vessel features a fleet of ten Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore.

Your Cabin/Suite satellite televisions and CD/DVD Your Dining With a maximum of 114 passengers players in each suite. Suites feature The single sitting dining room is accommodated in 57 spacious queen size beds which can be located on Deck 2 and is both outside facing suites, the Sea configured into twins or double spacious and light. Breakfast and Explorer offers suites across its depending on your preference. lunch are served buffet style with five decks. Those on the lower a selection of hot and cold dishes, deck have portholes, the middle Your Space and fresh produce. Dinner is served two decks have a large picture The spacious and finely decorated to your table and comprises of four window and the two top decks public rooms include a lounge, courses with a vegetarian option have patio doors leading on to a elegant bar, library with internet always available. Complimentary private balcony. On average the access, fitness room and a single wine and beer is served with dinner suites measure 245 sq. ft. Each sitting dining room. Outside there is and in good weather there will be suite affords considerable comfort a rear sun deck, where passengers the opportunity to take your meals with en-suite bathrooms, large can relax in warmer weather on the Sun Deck on deck 5. There is wardrobes and excellent storage. with shade, a bar, spa pool and a 24-hour coffee and tea station with 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE Cabin There are mini-fridges, telephones, comfortable deck furniture. some sweet snacks provided too. +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Suite Suite

The Restaurant The Library The Club

PENTHOUSE DECK Life Onboard

The atmosphere onboard is SUN 603 601 focused on exploration and DECK JACUZZI discovery with all the creature SALON 604 602 GYM comforts you would expect from a vessel of this calibre. The onboard VERANDA DECK crew of 72 provide fine onboard 511 509 507 505 BRIDGE service and the vessel features SUN DECK four star amenities. A little music CAFE 512 510 508 506 in the lounge or bar after dinner, informative talks and briefings DECK 4 from the onboard team and of LIBRARY course good food, which is created 427 425 423 421 419 417 415 by the highly regarded master Jacuzzi 428 426 424 422 420 418 416 414 chefs. After a day ashore you will CLUB return to the comfort and peace of a well run and exceedingly DECK 3 comfortable ship. The dress policy 347 345 343 341 339 335 333 331 329 is casual and comfortable for LOUNGE RECEPTION exploration ashore. 348 346 344 342 340 338 336 334 332 330

This cruise visits out of the For your Comfort, Safety & Security DECK 2

The vessel carries 114 passengers in way destinations. You will be 261 259 257 255 comfort and with 72 crew onboard accompanied by an expedition H your journey will be enhanced by team and landings ashore will often attentive onboard service. Smoking be made by Zodiac landing craft. RESTAURANT 262 260 258 256 254 252 250 is restricted to outside areas and Cruises such as this will appeal to the a lift serves all decks. There is a more adventurous and those who medical centre onboard with doctor. enjoy the natural world. CATEGORY E CATEGORY B CATEGORY A CATEGORY C CATEGORY D CATEGORY AA

2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk

Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: St.Kilda