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Peregrine Travel Centre

Atlantic Island Odyssey – Shetland, Faroe & Hebridean Islands Cruise

Atlantic Island Odyssey – Shetland, Faroe & Hebridean Islands Cruise

From GBP £7,995

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Description

This expedition cruise is one of our most popular and will appeal to those who prefer their islands deserted, but with abundant bird and wildlife. During this unique voyage, we will journey along rugged coastlines and visit once inhabited islands venturing far north to the Orkney, Shetland and Faroe Islands combined with our time in the wonderful Hebrides.
We have been operating cruises around the tip of Scotland for many years and this itinerary truly conveys the multiple benefits of small ship cruising. With our fleet of Zodiacs we are able to make calls into some of the remote and uninhabited islands that surround the Scottish coast and cruise close to shorelines and cliffs crowded with birdlife. Few ships make the journey to these outer islands and we are grateful to therefore be able to explore these wonderful places aboard the all-suite MS Hebridean Sky with just 100 or so fellow passengers and our expert expedition team. To combine the small communities of North Ronaldsay, Foula and Unst with uninhabited St Kilda into one itinerary is rare and when combined with the Shetland capital of Lerwick and the small village of Elduvik in the Faroe Islands, such an itinerary allows us to understand the history, witness the wildlife and experience the culture of these remote and beautiful islands.

Trip Name
Atlantic Island Odyssey - Shetland, Faroe & Hebridean Islands Cruise
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 90.6 metres Passenger Capacity: 118 Built / Refurbished: 1992 / 2016 The MS Hebridean Sky is a beautifully appointed small ship, designed to offer an atmosphere of refined elegance and intimate comfort. With just 59 spacious suites, many featuring private balconies, she provides all guests with an outside view and a sense of relaxed luxury. Suites are finished in warm wood panelling and brass, with thoughtful details such as rainfall showers, dressing gowns, Noble Isle toiletries and flexible bed configurations. The public areas are equally welcoming, from the bright dining room and convivial Club bar to the well-stocked library and panoramic observation deck. A clinic with doctor, hairdressing facilities, a lift serving all decks and complimentary Wi-Fi ensure that every journey is made in comfort and ease. Life on board the MS Hebridean Sky is calm, sociable, and tailored to those who value discovery and relaxation over large-scale entertainment. Dining is a highlight, with talented chefs crafting exquisite à la carte menus often enhanced by fresh local produce, complemented by fine wines included with meals. Guests may enjoy al fresco meals on the Lido Deck, afternoon tea, or informal evenings with music in the lounge. Enrichment comes through fascinating lectures, daily briefings, and the company of like-minded travellers, while the warm and attentive service creates the feel of a private yacht or country house hotel. With her understated elegance, exceptional service, and focus on exploration, the Hebridean Sky offers a truly memorable and distinguished cruising experience.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Aberdeen, Scotland.
Embark the MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Aberdeen Airport and Aberdeen Railway Station at a fixed time. Sail this evening.
Day 2 - Day 2 Fair Isle, Shetland Islands.
After a morning at sea we arrive over lunch at the remote island of Fair Isle. Located midway between the Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands, the tiny population of sixty or so islanders always extend us a warm welcome. Enjoy a walk across the island searching out the puffin slopes, visit the community hall for a cup of tea or maybe purchase some of the famous knitwear.
Day 3 - Day 3 Foula & Papa Stour, Shetland Islands.
This morning we visit Foula, one of Britain’s most remote inhabited islands. Apart from a narrow coastal strip of more fertile croftland, Foula is an expanse of peat and moorland rising steeply to five dramatic peaks. Translated as ‘Bird Island’ from Old Norse the island is designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds and is home to the world’s largest colony of great skuas, known locally as bonxies, which compete fiercely with Arctic skuas for breeding territories. Kittiwakes and Arctic terns return annually to nest whilst the cliffs teem with puffins, shags and fulmars. Over lunch we will sail the short distance to Papa Stour where we will use our Zodiacs to explore the stunning cliff scenery, sea stacks, arches, blowholes and coastal caves which are home to Arctic skua and large numbers of Arctic terns.
Day 4 - Day 4 Lerwick.
From the Shetland capital, we have a choice of tours today, maybe visit the remarkable archaeological site of Jarlshof. The site was uncovered by a violent storm in the winter of 1896/7, revealing an extraordinary settlement site embracing at least 5000 years of human history. The site contains a remarkable sequence of stone structures – late Neolithic houses, a Bronze-Age village, an Iron-Age broch and wheelhouses, several Norse longhouses, a Medieval farmstead and the 16th century laird’s house. Alternatively, visit Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of the Shetland mainland. Here the steep cliffs are home to colonies of puffins, fulmars, guillemots and shags with each species occupying different areas of the cliffs. Also see the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, the oldest in Shetland having been constructed in 1821, whilst from the viewing points we may also spot whales and dolphins in the water. Both tours return to the vessel for lunch followed by an afternoon at leisure to explore this historic port. Perhaps wander through its narrow stone lanes or maybe visit the excellent Shetland Museum, containing artefacts from shipwrecks and the whaling era. Tonight we will enjoy the company of local musicians on board.
Day 5 - Day 5 Unst.
We arrive over breakfast at the northern island of Unst. Unst is Britain’s most northerly inhabited island and at the Heritage Centre we will learn about the islanders’ struggles over the centuries and the industries that have prospered whilst the Unst Boat Haven is dedicated to the history of the island’s distinctive wooden boats which descend from Viking craft. We will also visit Saxa Vord with views over Hermaness National Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga stacks which are home to thousands of gannets and puffins as well as rare Arctic-alpine plants. Spend the afternoon at sea as we cruise towards the Faroe Islands.
Day 6 - Day 6 Runavik & Saksun, Faroe Islands.
Our first call in the Faroe Islands is at Runavik which due to its sheltered location in the Skalafjordur has been used as a port since the Vikings. Leaving the port we will drive to the beautiful village of Saksun, an isolated settlement situated beneath steep majestic mountains. We visit Duvugaroar, an old farmhouse, which is now a museum and a traditional Faroese wooden church in Kollafjord. This afternoon is free to explore the small town of Runavik. Maybe visit the Forni Historical Museum, the Church of Glyvrar and the boathouse. There will also be the opportunity to join our naturalists for a walk around Lake Toftavatn seeing the rich birdlife, Faroese flora and the statue of the shepherd and his dog.
Day 7 - Day 7 Elduvik.
Today we enjoy the benefits of small ship cruising as we make our way to the north of the island of Eysturoy and the small traditional village of Elduvik. Located at the end of a lush valley and surrounded by mountains, the village has a resident population of 12 who will welcome us ashore. Villagers will lead walks around the town including the colourful houses and the church and hear stories of the history, myths and culture of the region. Those feeling active may wish to join a strenuous yet scenic hike along the old village path through the Skoratind hills to neighbouring Oyndarfjordur, enjoying views of the nearby island of Kalsoy and the hills of Funningur.
Day 8 - Day 8 Vagur, Suduroy.
Our final call in the Faroes will be at Suduroy, the southernmost island of the group. From the port of Vagur we have a choice of activities. Choose to join an island tour passing the beautiful scenery as we drive between the villages seeing the stunning geology, fjords, tunnels and architecture of the island as well as the southernmost point and the Akraberg lighthouse. In Porkeri we will take the ridge-top road which winds up the mountainside for wonderful views towards the steep cliffs on the west coast, the Beinisvoro promontory to the north and the luscious grass slopes to the east. To locals, this delivers the essence of the Faroe Islands with mountains and fjords, villages and valleys, birds, sheep and nature. Alternatively, those feeling active may wish to join a hike to Hvaanhagi, a beautiful, uninhabited place north of Tvoroyri on the east coast of Suduroy. The view is fantastic towards the three islands of Litla Dimun, Stora Dimun and Skuvoy. There are sheep and birds, a valley with a lake and beautiful high mountains. Spend the afternoon at sea as we return to Scotland.
Day 9 - Day 9 Stornoway, Isle of Lewis & Shiant Islands, Scotland.
On leaving the island capital of Stornoway, we will head across the island of Lewis 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 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. Our next stop is the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a reconstructed settlement of traditional black houses which were made using dry stone masonry and have thatched roofs, distinctively weighted down with rocks. Visit the small museum, enjoy a display of a typical crofting activity such as weaving and take in the views of this dramatic site on the wild Atlantic coast. This afternoon we will board the Zodiacs for a cruise around the spectacular basalt cliffs of the Shiant Islands, a group of little islands located a few miles off the shores of Lewis. This is an excellent place to spot puffins, razorbills, guillemots, seals and hopefully white-tailed eagles.
Day 10 - Day 10 St Kilda & Stac Lee.
We spend the morning at St Kilda, a remarkable uninhabited archipelago some fifty miles beyond the Outer Hebrides. Dominated by the highest cliffs and sea stacks in Britain, Hirta, St Kilda’s main island was occupied on and off for at least two thousand years, with the last 36 Gaelic speaking inhabitants evacuated at their own request in 1930. Immediately after the evacuation, the island was bought by the Marquess of Bute to protect the island’s thousands of seabirds including puffin and fulmars and in 1957 it was bequeathed to The National Trust for Scotland. St Kilda is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites with dual status reflecting its natural and cultural significance. The local ranger will join us on board before our expedition staff lead guided walks on the island. Later, we will cruise past one of the largest gannetries in the world at Stac Lee. The impressive stacs rise 170 metres from the sea and are home to up to 60,000 breeding pairs of northern gannet.
Day 11 - Day 11 Canna & Loch Scavaig.
The island of Canna is run as a single farm and bird sanctuary by the National Trust for Scotland and enjoys the best harbour in the Small Isles, a hornshaped haven. The fertile soil and its diversity of habitats mean that the island has an incredibly rich plant life with 248 native flowering plants recorded. During our time on the island we will see Canna House and wander across grassy basalt plateaus to the 600 foot cliffs on the north shore. Over lunch we cross to the lovely Loch Scavaig on the island of Skye. Just beyond is the freshwater Loch Corruisk with its breathtakingly beautiful view over the Cuillins. This is great walking country and our expedition team will run a series of hikes for all interests. For those who prefer a less energetic afternoon our Zodiacs will explore the coast looking out for seals.
Day 12 - Day 12 Staffa & Iona.
At first light we arrive at Staffa where the perpendicular rock face features an imposing series of black basalt columns, known as the Colonnade, which has been cut by the sea into cathedralesque caverns, most notably Fingal’s Cave. Weather permitting, we will use our Zodiacs to explore closer. We will sail over lunch to Iona which has been occupied for thousands of years and has been a place of pilgrimage and Christian worship for several centuries. It was to this flat, Hebridean island that St Columba fled from Ireland in 563 and established a monastery. Here his followers were responsible for the conversion of much of pagan Scotland and Northern England. No less than 62 Scottish Kings are buried in the Abbey. Visit the Abbey or perhaps walk along the white sandy beaches or go in search of the corncrake amongst the irises.
Day 13 - Day 13 Oban.
Disembark the MS Hebridean Sky after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow Airport at a fixed time.
Day 14 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £7,995Amundsen Deck Standard Suite
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £8,295Byrd Deck Superior Suite
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £8,495Mawson Deck Premium Suite
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £8,795Mawson Deck Corner Suite
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £9,495Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £9,695Amundsen Deck Standard Sole
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £9,995Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £10,095Byrd Deck Superior Sole
04-06-202816-06-2028GBP £10,495Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite

Inclusions

    • Remote island expedition from Orkney and Shetland to the Faroes and Outer Hebrides
    • Exceptional seabird, wildlife, and cliff scenery including St Kilda and Staffa
    • Deep archaeology and culture spanning Neolithic sites, Norse heritage, and Gaelic history

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