Island Hopping from the Shetlands to the Isles of Scilly
A voyage from Aberdeen to Portsmouth aboard the MS Island Sky
- 12 July 2021
This unique voyage will appeal to those who wish to enjoy the stunning scenery of the British Isles from the highlands of Scotland to the outlying islands off the English coast. We will sail from Aberdeen and during our cruise visit places of great natural beauty, rich in wildlife and history. We will venture north past rugged coastlines to the Shetland and Orkney Islands where we will visit deserted villages and ancient sites before our exploration of the beautiful Hebridean Islands including Canna and lovely Loch Scavaig on the Isle of Skye. Travelling south, our calls include Northern Ireland’s walled city of Derry, St Davids in Wales, Britain’s smallest city and off the Pembrokeshire coast we will sail past Grassholm Island to view one of the world’s largest gannetries. Our final two days are spent exploring the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands. Discover the stunning Sub-tropical Abbey Gardens on Tresco and idyllic Bryher followed by a visit to Guernsey, the 'Island of Flowers' and finally the delightful island of Herm before we sail into Portsmouth.
The sheer diversity of the landscapes and lifestyles will amaze you as will the spirit and warmth of the small communities we will encounter. In an age of rapid centralisation and common identity it is fortifying to know that life with its unique traditions and values can still be found on the edges of our islands. Our time will be spent walking the coastal paths and enjoying the wonderful views on offer, seeing the abundant birdlife and flowers, and experiencing life in these remote communities. Such a voyage is only possible aboard a small ship with the ability to reach these remote ports and, with the 118 passenger MS Island Sky as our base, we will be able to explore in small groups ensuring the solitude we find on these enchanting isles is not disturbed.
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Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1 Aberdeen, Scotland.
Embark the MS Island Sky this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Aberdeen Airport and Railway Station at a fixed time. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
Day 2 Fair Isle, Shetland Islands.
After a relaxing morning at sea we arrive at 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.
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 longhouses, a Medieval farmstead and the 16th century laird’s house. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure 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 we sail.
Day 4 Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.
After arriving into Kirkwall, the Orkney capital, we will drive into the west of Mainland, Orkney’s largest island, passing through gentle rolling landscape and into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney; an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. We will see the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar; a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating back almost 5,000 years. We continue to the 5,000 year old village of Skara Brae and see the remarkable dwellings revealed from beneath the sand dunes by storms only 150 years ago. Return to the MS Island Sky for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore independently. Maybe visit St Magnus Cathedral, the Orkney Museum or the Bishop’s Palace.
Day 5 Scrabster & Handa, Scotland.
This morning we arrive in Scrabster, the most northerly port on the Scottish mainland. On a morning tour we visit the Castle and Gardens of Mey which was built between 1566 and 1572 by George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness. The castle was purchased by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1952 who restored the castle for use as a holiday home and created the beautiful gardens we will see today. Sail over lunch as we cruise around Cape Wrath and towards the island of Handa where we see the magnificent sea cliffs of Torridonian sandstone which rise from the Atlantic. The island comes alive each summer when nearly 100,000 seabirds gather to breed including internationally important numbers of guillemot, razorbill, puffins and great skua. If weather permits, we will take a Zodiac cruise for a closer look.
Day 6 Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides.
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. Return to the ship for lunch and spend an afternoon at leisure to explore Stornoway at your own pace.
Day 7 Canna & Loch Scavaig, Inner Hebrides.
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. This afternoon we sail into the 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 looking out for seals.
Day 8 Derry, Northern Ireland.
We will berth this morning in the historic city of Derry, renowned as one of the finest examples of a walled city in all of Europe. This morning we leave the city and drive to the Giant’s Causeway, an amazing array of 40,000 basalt columns which became widely known from the 1700s as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ and which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the unique rock formations which have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of the Atlantic storms and the rugged symmetry of the columns never fail to intrigue. Return to Derry for lunch and enjoy an afternoon to explore independently, maybe walk the city walls or visit one of the museums.
Day 9 Peel, Isle of Man.
Arrive this morning on the Isle of Man at the main fishing port of Peel. Settlements have been here since the Mesolithic Age and the island also claims to have the longest continuous parliament which was founded in 979 AD. Leaving Peel we will visit Tynwald Hill, located in the little village of St John’s. This grass-topped, tiered hill is made from the soil and stones from each of the island’s 17 parishes and is the point from which, each 5th of July, all the laws enacted in the year preceding are promulgated to the gathered government officials and the public at large, both in Manx and English languages. Continue to Castletown where we board the vintage steam train for a delightful and traditional journey to Douglas. Dating from 1874, the Isle of Man Steam Railway is the island’s oldest Victorian rail system and this narrow gauge railway still runs with its original locomotives and carriages. Return to the ship for lunch and a free afternoon to explore Peel at your own pace.
Day 10 St Davids & Grassholm Island, Wales.
Arrive in Wales this morning and from our berth in Fishguard we will take a scenic drive to St Davids, Britain’s smallest city. Explore the magnificent 12th century cathedral and see the Bishop’s Palace before enjoying some free time in the city. Return to the ship for lunch and be on deck later this afternoon as we sail past Grassholm Island to view one of the world’s largest gannetries with over 34,000 breeding pairs.
Day 11 Tresco & Bryher, Isles of Scilly.
Spend the morning on traffic-free Tresco walking its idyllic lanes from the beach to the famous sub-tropical Abbey Gardens. Defying the Atlantic weather, this miracle of a garden is home to more than 20,000 species of plants from over 80 countries. Enjoy time to wander at your own pace along the paths, maybe visit the Valhalla collection of ship figureheads from ships wrecked on the islands or relax in the café. In the afternoon we tender ashore to Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited Isles of Scilly. Take the chance to wander along the tracks that cross the island amongst hedgerows and fields bursting with wildflowers. Those feeling active may wish to climb Watch Hill, where in the past islanders would keep watch for ships in distress or alternatively take a stroll to one of the beautiful beaches.
Day 12 Guernsey & Herm, Channel Islands.
Anchor this morning off Guernsey, the ‘Island of Flowers’. There will be the option of a walking tour of St Peter Port including a visit to Castle Cornet, a 12th century battlement which guards the entrance to St Peter Port Harbour. Alternatively, enjoy a panoramic island drive during which we will see the beautiful coastline and beaches and also visit the Little Chapel, built in 1914 as a miniature version of the famous basilica at Lourdes and covered in fragments of shattered china. Over lunch we sail the short distance to Herm, the smallest inhabited Channel Island and, at just one and a half miles long and half a mile wide, perfect for discovering on foot. You will have free time to explore, perhaps take a stroll over to Shell or Belvoir Beach. Alternatively, join our naturalists on the lookout for wildflowers and birds.
Day 13 Portsmouth.
Disembark this morning. Transfers will be provided to Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station at a fixed time.
Ship to Shore: This voyage is a combination of both expedition style cruising and small ship destination cruising. Whilst we will be alongside on many days, for those that we are at anchor local tenders or the vessel’s Zodiacs will be used for transportation ashore. The Zodiacs will be used in Fair Isle, Canna, Loch Scavaig, Handa, Guernsey and Herm. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants. |
Dates and Prices
12 to 24 July 2021 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Magellan Deck Standard Suites | £6295 | £5995 |
Columbus Deck Superior Suites | £6495 | £6195 |
Marco Polo Deck Premium Suites | £6995 | £6695 |
Marco Polo Deck Corner Suites | £7495 | £7195 |
Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suites | £7995 | £7695 |
Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £8495 | £8195 |
Explorer Deck Island Suite | £9495 | £9195 |
Magellan Deck Standard for sole occupancy | £8185 | £7885 |
Columbus Deck Superior for sole occupancy | £8495 | £8195 |
Tour Reference Code: SCISK120721
Price Includes: 12 nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Ship to Shore: This voyage is a combination of both expedition style cruising and small ship destination cruising. Whilst we will be alongside on many days, for those that we are at anchor local tenders or the vessel’s Zodiacs will be used for transportation ashore. The Zodiacs will be used in Fair Isle, Canna, Loch Scavaig, Handa, Guernsey and Herm. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants. |
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Deckplan
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
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Book with Confidence
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