Scotland & the Faroes
An island hopping expedition including the Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands & Hebrides aboard the MS Serenissima
- 3 June 2021
This unique expedition cruise is one of our most popular and will appeal to those who prefer their islands deserted, but with abundant bird and wildlife. True, Noble Caledonia can bring you all over the world, visiting all manner of exotic and wonderful places yet it is also true that 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 which form stepping stones into the Atlantic. During this unique voyage, we will journey along rugged coastlines and visit once inhabited islands aboard the charming MS Serenissima, venturing far north to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands and the Hebrides. We will witness vibrant colours and amazingly prolific birdlife, explore deserted villages and learn of the history and ancient culture of unique island life.
Such a journey can of course only be undertaken by a special vessel with the self-sufficient qualities of the MS Serenissima and with our Zodiacs we will be able to land on remote beaches and cruise close to shorelines and cliffs crowded with birdlife. Enabling us to land in remote places, the Zodiacs make the otherwise inaccessible readily available. 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.
Useful links & Travel Advice
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Serenissima
The charming MS Serenissima began her career as the Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. Extensively renovated in 2003 she was rechristened MS Andrea and began her life as a classic cruise ship, and was chartered by Noble Caledonia for a number of years. In spring 2012 MS Andrea was purchased by our longstanding associates Volga Dream and renamed the MS Serenissima. After a thorough renovation and upgrading, the charming MS Serenissima commenced cruise operations in April 2013 and we have chartered her for the majority of each year since knowing her to be perfect for small ship cruising. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships and appears an impressive sight when moored. With her fleet of Zodiacs she is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.
Itinerary
Day 1 Aberdeen, Scotland.
Embark the MS Serenissima this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Aberdeen Airport and Railway Station at a fixed time. Sail this evening to the Orkney Islands.
Day 2 Westray, Orkney Islands.
After a morning at sea we spend the afternoon in the Orkney Islands as we explore the islands to the north of the mainland. On Westray we will visit Noup Head, an RSPB reserve on the sea cliffs and home to up to 100,000 nesting seabirds. We also see Notland Castle, an incomplete fortress built in the 16th century by Gilbert Balfour, Mary Queen of Scots’ Sherif of Orkney, whilst in the main village of Pierowall we find the Westray Heritage Centre housing Neolithic carvings.
Day 3 Fair Isle & Lerwick.
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 extends us a warm welcome. Enjoy a walk across the island, perhaps visiting the RSPB site and searching out the puffin slopes, visit the community hall for a cup of tea or maybe purchase some of the famous knitwear. Sail over lunch for Lerwick where we arrive this evening and will be entertained by local musicians as we overnight in port.
Day 4 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 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 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. Perhaps wander through its narrow stone lanes or maybe visit the excellent Shetland Museum, containing artefacts from shipwrecks and the whaling era.
Day 5 Fetlar & Unst, Shetland Islands.
We continue our exploration of the Shetlands with visits to the northern islands of Fetlar and Unst. Fetlar has been inhabited for over 5000 years and lays claim to being the first Norse landing site in the Shetlands. Known as the most fertile of the Shetland Islands, the wildflowers bring colour to the landscape whilst the birdlife on the island is prolific. Our expedition team will lead walks ashore including the Fetlar Interpretative Centre and Museum where we will learn about the wildlife and archaeological history of the island. Over lunch we sail to Unst, 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 islands distinctive wooden boats which descend from Viking craft. We also visit Saxa Vord with views over Hermaness National Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga stacks which is home to thousands of gannets and puffins as well as rare arctic-alpine plants.
Day 6 Torshavn, Faroe Islands.
After a morning at sea we make our first call in the Faroes at Torshavn. From our berth we will 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 the more active we will arrange a hike in the hills surrounding the town to discover the local flora and fauna. We will moor overnight for anyone wishing to take an evening stroll in the town.
Day 7 Vestmanna.
Sail at dawn to Vestmanna, our base for today 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 village of Saksun, an isolated settlement situated beneath steep majestic mountains. We visit Duvugaroar, an old farmhouse which is now a museum as well as a traditional Faroese wooden church in Kollafjord.
Day 8 Suduroy.
Suduroy, the southernmost island of the group is our base for the morning. From the port of Tvoroyri we have a choice of activities. Choose to join an island drive 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, uninhibited 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.
Day 9 Stornoway & Shiant Islands, Outer Hebrides.
Arrive today on the Isle of Lewis. On leaving the island capital of Stornoway, we will head across the island 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 Pictish 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 final 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 St Kilda, Outer Hebrides.
Cruise 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 gannet. Later, this morning we continue onto 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 a number of guided walks on the island.
Day 11 Canna & Loch Scavaig, Inner Hebrides.
Arrive this morning on Canna. Strategically placed between the mountains of Rum and the Outer Hebrides, the island of Canna and its adjoining neighbour Sanday are bound together like some rare text that reveals over 60 million years of Hebridean geology and history. They have an amazingly rich archaeological landscape with remains dating to all periods of settled occupation in Scotland. 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 horn shaped 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. Over lunch we sail to 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, but for those who prefer a less energetic afternoon our Zodiacs will explore the coast looking out for seals.
Day 12 Staffa, Iona & Lunga.
Awake this morning at our anchorage off Staffa, the south side where the perpendicular rock face features an imposing series of black basalt columns, known as the Colonnade, which have been cut by the sea into cathedralesque caverns, most notably Fingal’s Cave. Weather permitting, we will use our Zodiacs to explore closer. Later sail to nearby 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. Visit the Abbey or perhaps walk along the white sandy beaches or go in search of the corncrake amongst the irises. End the day at the Treshnish Isles, an archipelago of uninhabited volcanic islets. The island of Lunga is the largest of the Treshnish Isles in Argyll and Bute. Of volcanic origin, Lunga has been described as ‘a green jewel in a peacock sea’ and is a summer nesting-place for hundreds of sea birds.
Day 13 Oban.
Disembark this morning after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Glasgow International Airport and Central Station at a fixed time.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy3 to 15 June 2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
2 Standard Stateroom | £5195 | |
3 Classic Stateroom | £5395 | |
4 Superior Stateroom | £5895 | |
5 Deluxe Stateroom | £6195 | |
6 Junior Suite | £6595 | |
7 Owner’s Suite | £6995 | |
8 Serenissima Suite | £6995 | |
10 Standard Single | £6695 |
Tour Reference Code: SCSE030621
PRICE INCLUDES: 12 nights aboard the MS Serenissima on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Deckplan
Serenissima
The charming MS Serenissima began her career as the Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. Extensively renovated in 2003 she was rechristened MS Andrea and began her life as a classic cruise ship, and was chartered by Noble Caledonia for a number of years. In spring 2012 MS Andrea was purchased by our longstanding associates Volga Dream and renamed the MS Serenissima. After a thorough renovation and upgrading, the charming MS Serenissima commenced cruise operations in April 2013 and we have chartered her for the majority of each year since knowing her to be perfect for small ship cruising. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships and appears an impressive sight when moored. With her fleet of Zodiacs she is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.
Travelling with You
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Professor James Floyd
A native of Scotland, Professor James Floyd, has recently retired as District Geologist after 36 years with the British Geological Survey (NERC) in Edinburgh. He now works as a geological consultant and freelance science, military and maritime history communicator on cruise and expedition ships. In addition to communicating popular science, expedition cruising allows him to share his other passions of modern naval, maritime and exploration history.
Professor James Floyd will be on the following tour dates: 3 to 15 June 2021 -
Michael Bowen
Mike was born in South London, and from an early age wanted to join the Military, at 16 Mike joined the Royal Marines and served for 27 years retiring as a Warrant Officer in 2010. He then went into the Security sector and specialised in Maritime Security and close protection.
During his service Mike served in many conflict zones, including the Falklands War, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. Having completed many winter deployments to Northern Norway, he trained as an Arctic warfare and Firearms Instructor and was one of the first British serviceman to complete the Norwegian Ski Instructors course, working in the Arctic is his passion not only for its arduous conditions but also for the abundance of wildlife seen in its natural habitat.
Michael Bowen will be on the following tour dates: 3 to 15 June 2021 -
Colin Munro
Colin is a freelance marine biologist and photographer. Originally from the Scottish Highlands, he now splits his time between Southwest England and Thailand.
He has been working with Noble Caledonia on expedition ships since 2014; this work has taken him to some truly amazing places, from reefs off Papua New Guinea to rainforests in Panama, and taken him back to his homeland cruising the Western Isles of Scotland. Always happiest underwater with a camera, he has lead snorkelling in some of the World’s best locations, from the outer Great Barrier Reef to Aldabra. As someone who started his underwater career as a military diver (a long time ago) in lead boots and zero visibility in the freezing rivers of North Germany he truly appreciates how special these places are.
When not working on expedition ships Colin is still actively involved in marine biological projects in both the UK and Thailand. He also works as a professional photographer, specialising in nature and underwater.
Colin Munro will be on the following tour dates: 3 to 15 June 2021 -
Alan Hardwick
Initially trained as a biologist Alan spent several years after university working in fish farming and learnt to dive, naturally enough, in a fish tank on the West coast of Scotland. Fascinated by the underwater world he spent much of the next 25 years exploring the seas around the Scottish Islands, leading expeditions to places such as St Kilda and further afield in the Faroe Islands. He considers himself lucky to have been able to travel to Africa and to have worked on a research project in Costa Rica studying the seasonal dynamics of a tropical dry forest. He also coaches cricket and badminton greatly enjoying working with youngsters and people with special needs, including a gold medalist at the Special Olympics, Leicester 2009. He normally leads a quiet life living in a log cabin, which he physically built, in the Monadhliath Mountains near Inverness, working on repairing moorland fences and grouse butts plus running a picture framing business with his artist wife. He does, however, share with many others the love of travel and exploration and has been fortunate in working as a zodiac driver on cruises to Antarctica, Spitsbergen, Norway, Ireland and, especially, the Scottish Islands.
Alan Hardwick will be on the following tour dates: 3 to 15 June 2021
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