Hebridean Secrets
An expedition exploring the remote Hebrides, Orkney & Shetland Islands aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
- 10 May 2021
"With our fleet of Zodiacs we are able to visit some of the most remote and uninhabited islands that surround the Scottish Coast."
You can travel the world visiting all manner of exotic and wonderful places without realising that some of the finest scenery, fascinating history and most endearing people may be close to home. Nowhere is this truer than around Scotland’s magnificent coastline, an indented landscape of enormous natural splendour with offshore islands forming stepping stones into the Atlantic. As we venture north to the Orkney and Shetland Islands we will witness vibrant colours, explore deserted villages and archeological treasures and learn of the region’s unique history and ancient culture. The sheer diversity of the landscapes and lifestyles will amaze you, as will the spirit and warmth of the small communities we will encounter. With our fleet of Zodiacs we are able to visit some of the most remote and uninhabited islands that surround the Scottish Coast including Lunga and St Kilda as well as the small island communities of Iona and Fair Isle.
This is not a cruise in the conventional sense, more an exploration with like-minded companions to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the islands. Learn something of their history, see the abundant bird and marine life, but above all revel in the timeless enchantment that these islands exude to all those who appreciate the natural world. There is no better way to explore this endlessly fascinating and beautiful region than by small ship and ashore, with our local experts we will divide into small groups thereby enjoying a more comprehensive and peaceful experience. Having arranged hundreds of small ship cruises around Scotland, we have learned that everyone takes something different from the experience. We are indeed fortunate in having such marvellous places so close to home. Now more than ever there is a great appreciation for the peace, beauty and culture of this special corner of the UK.
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
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What to Expect
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule may be changed to maximise your experience based on weather or wildlife sightings, something that would not be possible on a large cruise ship. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from our vessel’s log from a previous Hebridean voyage which will provide you with an idea of what to expect should you choose to join one of our adventures in the British Isles.
St Kilda: The early risers were rewarded with fine views of our approach to the archipelago of St Kilda, its tops draped mysteriously in mist. It had been a calm crossing and some dolphins and minke whales had been spotted on route. We breakfasted quickly so as to hear an introduction to the islands by the ranger. Soon after the Zodiacs began shuttling people ashore to the pier, although several options had been offered, many people opted first to join John on a guided historical walk along the village street from the Manse (now the staff quarters which also housed the shop). Many then progressed up The Gap to find Jamie and his party of longer walkers, while Karin had led an energetic walk up the road to the summit ridge and the radar installation. John’s group then dispersed to explore on their own and most of us, of course, found time to visit the shop for postcards and souvenirs.
On return to the ship, lunch consisted of a barbecue prepared by the galley staff and many opted to eat outside on the afterdeck with the impressive backdrop of St Kilda’s Village Bay. But we were not finished yet, for the expedition team then filled their Zodiacs with enthusiastic and intrepid passengers, keen to explore the rocky shores and dramatic caves of Dun, seeing seals, seabirds and notably, of course, puffins. This highlight was quickly overshadowed by the final offering – the Captain taking his ship for a circumnavigation of St Kilda, around Dun, under the Lover’s Stone and the Carn Mor boulder field on Hirta to Soay, and then past Glen Bay to view, Conachair, at 1400 feet the highest sheer cliff in Britain. As if on cue, the cloud lifted briefly to reveal its summit before we struck east, across the four mile volcanic caldera 60 metres under us, towards Boreray and the stacs.
Approaching Stac Lee (564 ft) the Captain opted to take a wide sweep and circumnavigate this hugely impressive tooth of rock, smothered in 9000 pairs of nesting gannets. The noise – and the smell! – were palpable as we stared up at the sheer face in its cloud of gannets, constantly changing shape and almost close enough to touch. We next moved on to the pyramid shape of Stac an Armin – at 644 ft the highest sea stack in Britain, home again to 9000 pairs of gannets, the remaining 40,000 pairs of St Kilda’s largest colony dispersed around the soaring 1260 ft cliffs of Boreray. Dozens of great skuas were patrolling the skies seeking out gannets returning to feed their chick with a crop full of fish.
Hebridean Sky
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky.
Itinerary
Day 1 Oban, Scotland.
Embark the MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon in Oban. Transfers will be provided from Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow International Airport at a fixed time. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
Day 2 Staffa, Iona & Lunga.
This morning we will arrive at the island of Staffa, where the perpendicular cliff face features an imposing series of black basalt columns, known as the Colonnade, which have been cut by the sea into cathedral-like caverns, most notably Fingal’s Cave. Weather permitting, we will use our Zodiacs to explore these caves in more detail. Later in the morning we visit 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 AD and established a monastery, here his followers were responsible for the conversion of much of pagan Scotland and Northern England. Visit the Abbey, where no less than 62 Scottish Kings are buried, walk along the white sandy beaches or go in search of the corncrake amongst the irises. Later today we hope to drop anchor off the nearby Treshnish Isles, an archipelago of uninhabited volcanic islets. The island of Lunga is the largest and has been described as ‘a green jewel in a peacock sea.’ It is a summer nesting place for hundreds of sea birds, in particular kittiwakes, shags, fulmars, guillemots, razorbills and puffins.
Day 3 Canna & Loch Scavaig.
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. Enjoy lunch on board as 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 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 searching for seals.
Day 4 St Kilda & Stac Lee.
This morning 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 2000 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 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 5 Inverewe & Isle Martin.
This morning we will visit one of Scotland’s premier gardens, Inverewe. This botanical garden in the northwest highlands presents an amazing collection of exotic trees and shrubs that are sheltered by well-positioned windbreaks of native pine. After a guided tour of the gardens, we will return to the MS Hebridean Sky for lunch as we sail to Isle Martin, an uninhabited island in Loch Broom, on the west coast of Scotland. During the 1980s and 1990s, it became the site of a reforestation experiment by ecologists with native woodlands planted throughout which are now flourishing and improving soil fertility and biodiversity. In 1999 the island became one of the first handovers of land to community ownership. We will be offered a very warm welcome by volunteers from the community trust and learn about the work they do on the island; promoting the landscape, community and traditions.
Day 6 Westray & Papa Westray, Orkney Islands.
Awake off the islands to the north of the Orkney mainland. On Westray we will visit Noup Head, an RSPB reserve on the sea cliffs and Notland Castle, an incomplete fortress built in the 16th century by Gilbert Balfour, Master of the Royal Household to Mary Queen of Scots, Sheriff of Orkney. Meanwhile in the main village of Pierowall we will findthe Westray Heritage Centre which houses Neolithic carvings. Over lunch we sail the short distance to Papa Westray, where there will be the opportunity for a number of island walks. You can also visit the 3500 year old Knap of Howar, a Neolithic farm building that claims to be the oldest standing house in Europe and the 12th century St Boniface Kirk. In the north of the island is the North Hill Reserve, home to Arctic terns and skuas and also the extremely rare Scottish primrose. In the early evening we will meet at the Papay pub for awell-deserved pre-dinner drink.
Day 7 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. In the long midsummer days, Foula’s wildflowers provide a glorious burst of colour. The world’s largest colony of Great Skuas compete fiercely with many Parasitic Jaegers for breeding territories. 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 8 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 of1896/7, revealing an extraordinary settlement site embracing at least 5000 years of human history. The site contains a remarkable sequence of stone structures including late Neolithic houses, a Bronze-Age village, an Iron-Agebroch 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. This evening we will be entertained by local musicians on board before sailing.
Day 9 Fair Isle.
This morning we anchor off the remote island of Fair Isle. Located midway between the Shetland and Orkney islands, the tiny population of 60 or so islanders always extend us a warm welcome. Enjoy a walk across the island searching out the puffin slopes and visit the community hall for a cup of tea or maybe purchase some of the famous knitwear. Enjoy a final afternoon on board as we continue our voyage south.
Day 10 Inverness.
Disembark this morning after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Inverness Airport and Railway Station at a fixed time.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy10 to 19 May 2021 | ||
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Category | Price | |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £4695 | |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £4895 | |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £5195 | |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £5495 | |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £5995 | |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £6295 | |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £7195 | |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | £6095 | |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £6495 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHSK100521
PRICE INCLUDES: Nine nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis • Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Hebridean Sky
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky.
What to Expect
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule may be changed to maximise your experience based on weather or wildlife sightings, something that would not be possible on a large cruise ship. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from our vessel’s log from a previous Hebridean voyage which will provide you with an idea of what to expect should you choose to join one of our adventures in the British Isles.
St Kilda: The early risers were rewarded with fine views of our approach to the archipelago of St Kilda, its tops draped mysteriously in mist. It had been a calm crossing and some dolphins and minke whales had been spotted on route. We breakfasted quickly so as to hear an introduction to the islands by the ranger. Soon after the Zodiacs began shuttling people ashore to the pier, although several options had been offered, many people opted first to join John on a guided historical walk along the village street from the Manse (now the staff quarters which also housed the shop). Many then progressed up The Gap to find Jamie and his party of longer walkers, while Karin had led an energetic walk up the road to the summit ridge and the radar installation. John’s group then dispersed to explore on their own and most of us, of course, found time to visit the shop for postcards and souvenirs.
On return to the ship, lunch consisted of a barbecue prepared by the galley staff and many opted to eat outside on the afterdeck with the impressive backdrop of St Kilda’s Village Bay. But we were not finished yet, for the expedition team then filled their Zodiacs with enthusiastic and intrepid passengers, keen to explore the rocky shores and dramatic caves of Dun, seeing seals, seabirds and notably, of course, puffins. This highlight was quickly overshadowed by the final offering – the Captain taking his ship for a circumnavigation of St Kilda, around Dun, under the Lover’s Stone and the Carn Mor boulder field on Hirta to Soay, and then past Glen Bay to view, Conachair, at 1400 feet the highest sheer cliff in Britain. As if on cue, the cloud lifted briefly to reveal its summit before we struck east, across the four mile volcanic caldera 60 metres under us, towards Boreray and the stacs.
Approaching Stac Lee (564 ft) the Captain opted to take a wide sweep and circumnavigate this hugely impressive tooth of rock, smothered in 9000 pairs of nesting gannets. The noise – and the smell! – were palpable as we stared up at the sheer face in its cloud of gannets, constantly changing shape and almost close enough to touch. We next moved on to the pyramid shape of Stac an Armin – at 644 ft the highest sea stack in Britain, home again to 9000 pairs of gannets, the remaining 40,000 pairs of St Kilda’s largest colony dispersed around the soaring 1260 ft cliffs of Boreray. Dozens of great skuas were patrolling the skies seeking out gannets returning to feed their chick with a crop full of fish.
Travelling with You
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Colin Baird
Colin grew up on the west coast of Canada and developed a love for the sea at an early age, sailing and scuba diving the local waters off Vancouver Island. He spent 10 years as a marine mammal trainer working with seals, sea lions and orca (perhaps better known as Killer Whales). In 2002 he was hired by Jean Michel Cousteau as the director of field operations for the Free Willy/ Keiko Project in Iceland and Norway. This was and remains today the only attempt to release a previously captive orca back into the wild.
Since then, Colin has been expedition cruising to many out of the way places; including Iceland, Norway, Svalbard, the high arctic and Antarctic. When at home in Canada leads whale watching tours from Victoria, B.C. during the northern summer to see his favourite of all the cetaceans….the orca.
Colin Baird will be on the following tour dates: 10 to 19 May 2021 -
David Riordan
Dave grew up in the forests of central New York State in the USA, and developed an interest in the great outdoors at an early age. After earning a degree in Industrial Engineering from Penn State, he dipped his toe in a variety of pools, working at Walt Disney World, at a ski resort in Vail, Colorado, as a stock broker on Wall Street and as an Expedition Leader driving passengers in overland trucks all over South America, Asia and Africa. For the next six years he would lead trips from Colombia to Ushuaia, Helsinki to Beijing (through Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia), and from Cairo to Nairobi until getting malaria in West Africa and hanging up the truck keys for a lifejacket.
For the last six years he has been aboard expedition ships as a naturalist guide and lecturer. With many visits to Svalbard, Norway, Iceland, UK, Greenland and Antarctica, he has developed a good knowledge and appreciation of marine life, especially seabirds. Having just returned from the austral summer in Antarctica, he looks forward to returning to the UK, Ireland and Norway to share his passion for this fantastic environment with you.
David Riordan will be on the following tour dates: 10 to 19 May 2021 -
Seb Coulthard
Seb Coulthard was born in London, raised in Quito, Ecuador, and completed his higher education in England. He is an award winning sailor, engineer and adventurer with 15 years long service and good conduct in the Royal Navy (retired 2016). During his time in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces he travelled extensively between British Overseas Territories from the South Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
In 2013, with a passion for adventure travel, Seb joined Shackleton Epic Expedition the most audacious and faithful re-enactment of the celebrated 830 mile boat journey undertaken by Sir Ernest Shackleton aboard the James Caird lifeboat from Elephant Island to South Georgia. The crew of the ‘Alexandra Shackleton’ spent 12 days at sea using the same period equipment as Shackleton 100 years prior: woollen underwear, wooden lifeboat, sextant, compass, and starvation diet. The Shackleton Epic team became the only expedition in history to complete Shackleton's perilous voyage using period resources.
As an empirical historian and expedition guide, his latest expedition took him to the Arabian Peninsula where he following in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Aqaba, one of the most influential military victories of World War One. The expedition travelled unsupported, on camelback during mid-summer where temperatures exceeded 45ºC.
Seb is Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and a joint Royal Yachting Association and Union Internationale Motonautique powerboat world record holder. He is a specialist in remote areas travel and a certified Antarctic tourism guide.
Seb Coulthard will be on the following tour dates: 10 to 19 May 2021
Also of Interest
Islands to the Highlands
An Island Hopping Expedition from Plymouth to Oban including the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly & Isle of Man aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
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Itinerary at a glance
- Plymouth / Channel Islands / Isles of Scilly / Lundy Island / Calf of Man / Peel / Colonsay / Iona / Oban
Scotland & the Faroes
An island hopping expedition including the Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands & Hebrides aboard the MS Serenissima
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Itinerary at a glance
- Aberdeen / Orkney Islands / Fair Isle / Lerwick / Faroe Islands / Stornoway / Outer Hebrides / Staffa / Iona / Lunga / Oban
Iceland to the Hebrides
An exploration of Iceland, the Faroe Islands & St Kilda aboard the MS Serenissima
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Itinerary at a glance
- Reykjavik / Snaefellsnes Peninsula / West Fjords / Grimsey Island / Siglufjordur / Hrisey Island / Akureyri / Husavik / Seydisfjordur / Hofn / Torshavn / Vestmanna / Suduroy / St Kilda / Oban
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000