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Atlantic Island Stepping Stones

Atlantic Island Stepping Stones

From GBP £6,495

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Description

We have been operating cruises around the tip of Scotland for over 30 years and this really is an itinerary that conveys the multiple benefits of small ship cruising. One of our most popular expeditions, it will appeal to those who prefer their islands deserted but with abundant bird and wildlife and who enjoy sailing past and visiting some of the most enchanting places in the world. Whilst you can visit all manner of exotic and wonderful places some of the finest scenery, fascinating history and most endearing people are found close to home and nowhere is this truer than the islands off Scotland’s indented coastline. Sailing from Aberdeen we will journey along rugged coastlines and visit once inhabited islands venturing far north to the Shetland and Faroe Islands combined with our time in the Hebrides. In addition, just off the tip of Northern Ireland, we will call in to Rathlin Island which is steeped in history and has an abundance of seabirds.

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 Island Sky with just 100 or so fellow passengers. Although we will set sail with a schedule, this will not be set in stone as these are perfect waters for expedition cruising and our Captain and expedition team will keep a flexible approach allowing for the opportunity to fully experience the unexpected whether it be a sighting of dolphins, a whale or any unusual event.

Trip Name
Atlantic Island Stepping Stones
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116  Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 Sister ship to Hebridean Sky. Island Sky and Hebridean Sky are truly sisters. Built in the same Italian Shipyard, both boast spacious, well-appointed suites, stylish common areas, and redundant core technology that allows them to operate smoothly, even under the most challenging of conditions. Both ships are all-suite, all-inclusive small expedition vessels with touches of elegance throughout. The Island Sky is scheduled for additional upgrades in 2017, including the addition of tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on the Promenade Deck. Services: World-Class Cuisine Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner Live Entertainment Complimentary Coffee/Tea station Voyage Photographer On-board MD and Facilities Dedicated Passenger Service Manager Pre-voyage hotel night Complimentary Expedition Jacket Facilities: Elevator serving all passenger decks Upgraded WIFI Internet Library with computers Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities DVD Movie Library Tinted sliding glass doors in all cabins on the Promenade Deck World-Class Cuisine: Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. Accommodations: All Suites Feature: Exterior views Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds Sitting area with sofa and side chair Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player Telephone Independent temperature controls Mini-Bar Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries Hair dryer 220 square feet or more Sofa can be converted to bed for third person PLEASE NOTE - DECK PLANS CAN VARY.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Aberdeen, Scotland.
Embark this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Aberdeen Railway Station and Aberdeen International Airport at a fixed time. Sail this evening.
Day 2 - Day 2 Fair Isle & Noss Head, Shetland Islands.
This morning we anchor off the remote island of Fair Isle. Located midway between the Shetland and 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. Return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon we hope to sail around Noss Head. Here the cliffs will be full of nesting gannets, guillemots and fulmars whilst we may also see skuas in the skies above. This evening we moor overnight in Lerwick.
Day 3 - Day 3 Lerwick.
From the Shetland capital we will 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 5,000 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 longhouse, a Medieval farmstead and the 16th century laird’s house. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a free afternoon to explore this historic port. Tonight we will be entertained by local musicians.
Day 4 - Day 4 Foula & Papa Stour.
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. In the early summer Foula’s wildflowers provide a glorious burst of colour. 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 team 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.
Day 5 - Day 5 Torshavn, Faroe Islands.
After a morning at sea we arrive in the Faroe Islands. This afternoon join a guided tour through Torshavn over the hills to Kirkjubour, the island’s oldest cultural centre, where we see the ruins of the 13th century St Magnus Cathedral and the 11th century church, still in use. We also visit the 900-year old “Roykstovan”, the old bishopric, considered to be the oldest wooden house in Europe. For those feeling active, we will arrange a hike in the hills surrounding the town to discover the local flora and fauna. Over dinner we sail the short distance to Vestmanna where we moor overnight.
Day 6 - Day 6 Vestmanna.
Vestmanna is our base as we explore the northwest corner of Streymoy and the nearby cliffs. Here we will board local boats to explore these vertical cliffs that climb almost 1500 feet, sailing into grottos carved by the surf over the years and watching the thousands of seabirds including puffins, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes that nest here each summer. After lunch on board, 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 Faeroese wooden church in Kollafjord.
Day 7 - Day 7 Tvoroyri, Suduroy.
Our last call in the Faroes will be at Suduroy, the southernmost island of the group. From the port of Tvoroyri 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 and end at 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 Litla Dímun, 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 8 - Day 8 St Kilda, Scotland.
Returning to the Scottish Islands we will sail past two of the largest gannetries in the world at Stac Lee and Berneray. These impressive stacs rise 170 metres from the sea and are home to up to 60,000 breeding pairs of northern gannets. In the early afternoon we arrive 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 only a 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 a number of guided walks on the island.
Day 9 - Day 9 Canna & Loch Scavaig, Inner Hebrides.
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. We will see Canna House and wander across grassy basalt plateaus to the 600 foot cliffs on the north shore. Arrive in the early afternoon at the lovely Loch Scavaig. Just beyond is the freshwater Loch Corruisk with its breathtakingly beautiful view over the Cuillins. This is great walking country, but for those who prefer a less energetic afternoon our Zodiacs will explore the coast looking out for seals.
Day 10 - Day 10 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. 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 11 - Day 11 Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland.
Located just a few miles from the North Antrim coast, Rathlin has been settled for more than 6000 years. Today, there are only 80 or so souls, whereas before the famine there were 1200 inhabitants. History is everywhere with historic buildings and ruins which we will explore on foot with our local guides. We may also see some of the prolific seabird life with astonishing numbers of auks, kittiwakes as well as grey seals. Spend our final afternoon at sea.
Day 12 - Day 12 Liverpool, England.
Disembark this morning. Transfers will be provided to Liverpool Lime Street Railway Station and Manchester Airport at a fixed time.
Day 13 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £6,495Magellan Deck Standard Suite
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £6,695Columbus Deck Superior Suite
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £6,995Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £7,495Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £7,795Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £7,995Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £8,495Magellan Deck Standard Single
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £8,695Columbus Deck Superior Single
17-07-202428-07-2024GBP £8,995Explorer Deck Island Suite

Inclusions

    • Fair Isle & Noss Head, Shetland Islands
    • Lerwick
    • Foula & Papa Stour
    • Torshavn, Faroe Islands
    • Vestmanna
    • Tvoroyri, Suduroy
    • St Kilda, Scotland
    • Canna & Loch Scavaig, Inner Hebrides
    • Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland

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