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Scottish Archipelagos & the Faroe Islands: Nordic Heritage & Island Identities

Scottish Archipelagos & the Faroe Islands: Nordic Heritage & Island Identities

From AUD $11,700

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Description

In collaboration with The Explorers Club, this unique voyage will feature David Mackay, an experimental test pilot and astronaut from the far north of Scotland who credits this region with the early inspiration for his nearly 50-year career in aerospace.
PONANT proposes a 10-day cruise aboard Le Lyrial exploring the captivating landscapes and extraordinary historical heritage of the archipelagos of Scotland and the Faroe Islands, lands with Celtic and Viking influences. 
Leaving from Glasgow, you will reach Tobermory, a charming fishing port with multicoloured houses and with a distillery that produces a renowned single malt.
You will then sail towards Loch Ewe, located in the northwest of the Highlands. Nestled at the end of this sea loch, you will discover the remarkable Inverewe Gardens, both a botanical curiosity and a subtropical paradise. Afterwards, you will follow the coastline of the Shiant Islands. During a Zodiac exploration, you will be able to admire the towering sandstone cliffs, home to numerous colonies of seabirds.
In the Hebrides, St Kilda is a small volcanic archipelago with incredibly beautiful scenery, where the sheer cliffs rub shoulders with vast and verdant relief. The main island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; uninhabited since 1930, it has remnants of very old dwellings.
In the middle of the North Sea, the Scottish archipelago of the Shetlands is rich in unsuspected treasures on its raw territories with jagged coastlines. Laissez-vous captiver par Foula, une île parmi les plus en retrait où l’homme a dû composer avec les éléments.
Your ship will then sail north towards the Faroe Islands, Denmark’s northernmost autonomous territory. In this isolated archipelago, you will immerse yourself in a wild and spectacular natural environment. In Suduroy, the rolling plains populated by sheep shape the scenery punctuated by sheer summits, mountain lakes and jagged cliffs looking out to the islands, offering outstanding terrestrial and maritime panoramas. In Streymoy, you will enjoy sailing around cliffs home to bird colonies. Here, the Viking legends and the Nordic cosmogony are never far away.
In the Hebrides, you will call at Stornoway, the main town on the island, built by the Vikings in the 9th century. One of the most important prehistoric sites in Scotland can be found here: the Calanais Standing Stones.
You will then set a course for the southwest Highlands to reach Fort William. This harbour town on the shores of Loch Linnhe is steeped in Scottish history and tradition, close to the beautiful and spectacular scenery of Glencoe.
Finally, you will reach Glasgow, your disembarkation port.

Trip Name
Scottish Archipelagos & the Faroe Islands: Nordic Heritage & Island Identities
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 224 Launched: 2015 A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, will join our fleet in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the our destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the  luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in  Mediterranean coves A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Glasgow, Scotland
In the heart of the Clyde Valley, the bustling city of Glasgow contrasts starkly with the wild beauty of the surrounding countryside. Scotland's biggest city overflows with landmarks from its extensive artistic heritage and outstanding architectural tradition. The city's chequerboard layout makes walking through the major pedestrian thoroughfares easy: go with the flow and let the lively street atmosphere take you past the many Victorian monuments. Don't miss the collections on display in the numerous museums and art galleries. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an outstanding example.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Located at the northernmost tip of the lovely Isle of Mull, Tobermory has to be one of the most beautiful natural seaports on Scotland’s West Coast. Founded in 1788, this ancient fishing village has been converted to a leisure port highly appreciated today for its surroundings and the quiet charm it exudes. You will definitely be won over by the row of many-storied houses on the hillside, illuminating the harbour with their vibrant colours. Although the real spectacle is outdoors, no less interesting are the Mull Museum dedicated the local history and the exhibitions at the An Tobar art gallery.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Loch Ewe & Sailing along Shiant Islands
Loch Ewe, located in the Northwest Highlands, is a sea loch surrounded by mountains, looking out onto the North Atlantic. It was an assembly point for maritime trade in the past and military ships used to gather there during the Second World War to organise safe convoys to the Arctic. On its shores, the loch shelters a remarkable botanic garden, Inverewe Garden, whose many hundreds of tropical plants and species prosper thanks to the Gulf Stream. Protected from the violent winds by endemic pine trees, the garden, which was created in 1862 by landowner Osgood Mackenzie and his daughter Mairi Sawyer, will unveil unsuspected colours, shapes and perfumes. It is now managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to glimpse some of Scotland’s wild animals: red squirrels, red deer, otters, seals or golden eagles.The Shiant Islands derive their name from the Gaelic, Na h-Eileanan Seunta, which means “enchanted isles”. Whether in the mist that frequently envelops the archipelago or beneath a radiant sun, the visitors discovering the Shiant Islands quickly fall under their spell. A veritable paradise for observing seabirds and marine mammals, the archipelago offers magnificent scenery. Puffins, guillemots and razorbills find refuge in the cliffs here, co-existing with fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. White-tailed eagles soar above inaccessible cliffs. As for the seals, they gather around rocky formations.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Saint Kilda, Hebrides & At Sea
St Kilda is an archipelago of seven volcanic islands, located 35 nautical miles west of the Outer Hebrides. They are the most remote of the British Isles. It is the only site in the United Kingdom to hold joint UNESCO World Heritage Site status for both its natural and cultural qualities. St Kilda has been managed by the National Trust for Scotland since 1957. According to the vestiges discovered there, the first travellers to the island appear to date back to the Bronze Age. For 2,000 years, a small community of inhabitants survived there, economically self-sufficient, until the last ones left in 1930. The village was organised around blackhouses, typical of the Hebrides, cultivable plots and cleitean, dry stone foodstuff storage huts, scattered across the archipelago. The endemic Soay sheep live wild, while the archipelago’s impressive cliffs shelter colonies of Atlantic puffins and gannets.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Foula, Shetland Islands
Foula, lying some twenty nautical miles west of the Shetlands, is the archipelago’s most remote island as well as one of the most remote inhabited British islands: it only has thirty inhabitants, who still observe the Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. The island rock measures 12.5 km2 (4.8 square miles) and is characterised by its high cliffs, the largest of which reach 365 m (almost 1,200 feet). Inland, there are farms in the heart of huge expanses of moors and peat bogs where flocks of sheep and herds of ponies live in total freedom. The Vikings were the first explorers to come here and they named it Fugløy or “bird island”. You will be able to explore these green windswept landscapes, to the cliffs of Hiora Wick and Gaada Stack, home to nesting colonies of seabirds, including fulmars, Atlantic puffins and eiders.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Suduroy Island, Faroe Islands
Suduroy Island, literally “South Island”, has one of the smallest populations in the Faroe Islands. It has sheer cliffs along its western face. The island is an important breeding ground for seabirds, including northern fulmars, black-legged kittiwakes, Atlantic puffins, and guillemots. You will be guided through the island, exploring its authentic villages with black, tarred-wood churches typical of the Faroe Islands, as well as its hiking trails lined with peat fields and stone sheepfolds. Sheep are indeed omnipresent throughout the Faroe Islands — in fact, there are more sheep than humans —, and they add to the charm of these wild landscapes.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Streymoy Island, Faroe Islands
Streymoy Island is the largest and most populated of the Faroe Islands, with 22,500 inhabitants. Lying between Scotland and Iceland, the 18-island Danish archipelago boasts natural wonders that will fascinate lovers of the great outdoors. Here, the hilly green landscapes stand in contrast with the huge basalt cliffs and the invigorating air shifts with the moods of the ocean. To the north, the small village of Saksun, with its traditional grass-covered rooftops, has 14 inhabitants. In the curve of a magnificent natural amphitheatre, it overlooks a fjord with a lagoon: an idyllic setting in a secluded and peaceful environment. To the west, in Vestmanna, myriad birds nest in the crags along the eroded and vertiginous cliff faces.
Day 8 - Day 8 - Stornoway, Hebrides
Discover Lewis, the largest island of the Hebrides, considered to be the cradle of Gaelic culture. Here, the peat- and heather- covered valleys and lochs stretch on to infinity, and numerous bird colonies have taken up residence in the long, jagged coastlines where. Not far from Stornoway, the island’s main town, built by the Vikings in the 9th century stands one of Scotland’s most prominent prehistoric sites: The Standing Stones of Callanish. Dating back to more than 3,000 years B.C., these imposing stones placed in a cruciform pattern were laid out according to the moon and stars and their main purpose was to keep track of seasonal cycles, as this was essential for farmers at the time.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Fort William & Sailing on Loch Linnhe
A port town on the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is sometimes described as the "Outdoor Capital of the UK."  Because it sits at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, and is in close proximity to the dramatic landscape of Glencoe, it is a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers. For those looking for a less adventurous experience, the nearby Ben Nevis Distillery offers tours and tastings, and Old Fort and Old Inverlochy Castle are interesting historical sites.Loch Linnhe is located in the Scottish Highlands, stretching between the Isle of Mull and Fort William. Sail in the heart of picturesque landscapes and admire the formations of the magnificent mountains and valleys surrounding the loch, including the famous Ben Nevis. The pure waters of Loch Linnhe are teeming with marine life; harbour seals may be found among its faithful inhabitants.
Day 10 - Day 10 - Glasgow, Scotland
In the heart of the Clyde Valley, the bustling city of Glasgow contrasts starkly with the wild beauty of the surrounding countryside. Scotland's biggest city overflows with landmarks from its extensive artistic heritage and outstanding architectural tradition. The city's chequerboard layout makes walking through the major pedestrian thoroughfares easy: go with the flow and let the lively street atmosphere take you past the many Victorian monuments. Don't miss the collections on display in the numerous museums and art galleries. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an outstanding example.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $11,700Superior Stateroom
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $12,620Deluxe Stateroom
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $30,890Owner's Suite
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $13,280Prestige Deck 4
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $13,680Prestige Deck 5
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $14,220Prestige Deck 6
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $19,120Deluxe Suite
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $20,580Prestige Deck 5 Suite
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $21,240Privilège Suite
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $22,290Grand Deluxe Suite
22-05-202631-05-2026AUD $25,090Grand Privilege Suite

Inclusions

    • In alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature onboard lectures by David Mackay, a test pilot and astronaut from the far north of Scotland.
    • Discover places of interest: the Inverewe Gardens, the Highlands, etc., plus opportunities to see wildlife (gannets, puffins, seals and more).
    • Planned activities: among these are included excursions led by expert local guides and activities conducted with your naturalist guides (opportunities for dinghy trips, hikes, etc.)

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