Luxury Iceland & Scottish Isles

Having arrived independently to Edinburgh, the historic and vibrant capital of Scotland, you can make your way to the hotel for your included overnight stay. This hotel stay has been included to allow you some time to soak up the sights and sounds of Edinburgh, its rich culture and impressive architecture.

After breakfast at the hotel on day 2 you will have further time to explore before joining your included transfer to the Port of Leith to board the M/V Sea Spirit. After settling in to your comfortable accommodation and familiarising yourself with the ship, you can enjoy a welcome cocktail and your first dinner on board.

The first port of call on your Arctic expedition will be the Orkney Islands, and the quiet town of Kirkwall is where we will anchor. Kirkwall is the capital town of the remote and beautiful Orkney archipelago and it has a rich heritage that is a delight to explore. You can join an included tour of the “Ancient treasures of Orkney” as well as a tour through the St Magnus Cathedral, considered the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland.

Your tour will take you through the gentle rolling landscape of Orkney and into the Neolithic Heartland; an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. You will see the Standing Stones of Stenness as well as the Ring of Brodgar; a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating back almost 5000 years. You tour will also include a visit to the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae where you can see the remarkable Neolithic village which was revealed from beneath the sand dunes by storms just 150 years ago.

This morning you will continue your exploration of the Orkney Islands as we make land at North Ronaldsay, one of the more isolated isles in the archipelago. For those looking to stretch their legs, an enjoyable hike will be offered, led by your experienced expedition crew through the scenic landscapes that are filled with a diverse array of wildflowers, abundant birdlife, and the unusual seaweed-eating North Ronaldsay sheep.

As you get back onboard for lunch, the ship will then make its way to Fair Isle in the nearby Shetland Islands where you can disembark again for a pleasant stroll and some fantastic birdwatching opportunities. The lush grasslands and impressive cliffs of Fair Isle are teeming with northern fulmars, northern gannets, puffins, kittiwakes, and great and Arctic skuas, to name just a few. In fact, more bird species have been recorded here than anywhere else in Britain…some 345 species!

We will now make our way to the exceptionally scenic Faroe Islands where rolling green hills, bright blue seas, colourful houses, traditional fishing ports and abundant birdlife combine to create some unforgettable landscapes.

We will spend 3 days here visiting some of the highlights of the islands, with our first port of call likely to be Tórshavn. Your visit here will include a tour of Kirkjubøur, the southernmost village on Streymoy, located just a 15 minute drive from Torshavn. In medieval times Kirkjubøur was the cultural and Episcopal centre and is the island’s most significant historical site. Your tour here will include visits to the medieval Magnus Cathedral and Roykstovan, a 900 year-old farmhouse/museum which is thought to be the oldest wooden house still in use today. On your way to and from Kirkjubøur you will have a magnificent view to the west of the islands of Koltur, Hestur, Sandoy, and Vágar. As we explore around, we will learn all about the way of life here including the Viking heritage which the locals are immensely proud of.

Our next stop is likely to bring us to Klaksvík, the Faroes’ second-largest town, where some fantastic hikes around the impressive mountains and bird-watching excursions will be on offer.

Throughout your time in the Faroe Islands there will be opportunities for thrilling Zodiac cruises through the more remote areas of the archipelago, its bird cliffs and unforgettable natural wonders.

After an action-packed week, we will now spend a relaxing day at sea making our way towards Iceland. At sea, you can enjoy the entertaining and informative lectures and presentations on offer from your insightful expedition team, or simply put your feet up and enjoy the views as you sail in comfort towards your next destination.

As we arrive off the south coast of mythical Iceland, we will make land to enjoy a full day of exploration around the town and some of the 15 islands that make up the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) archipelago. Steeped in history and fascinating geological features, Vestmannaeyjar has its own unique microclimate that is home to millions of birds which nest in the high cliffs of the islands, making it the ideal spot for some enjoyable birdwatching excursions which will be on offer either on foot or via Zodiac boat. You can also enjoy hikes and walks through some of the areas more remote and windswept areas as well as a visit to the town to mingle with some of the locals and learn about how in 1973 the entire population was forced to evacuate following the eruption of the Eldfell volcano.

After coming back onboard in the early evening, you will be invited to attend the Captain’s farewell cocktail party and dinner as we commemorate the end of our unforgettable expedition.

Your expedition sadly comes to an end in Reykjavik, the vibrant capital of Iceland. After disembarkation, a transfer will be provided either to the international airport or to a downtown location should you wish to extend your stay here. We highly recommend booking some additional time in Reykjavik to discover its fascinating landscapes and unique atmosphere.