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
- 2 May 2021
Here is a perfect getaway for those who enjoy visiting islands, small ship cruising and the chance to explore on foot. Join the MS Hebridean Sky in Plymouth and visit some of the most idyllic islands of the United Kingdom as we sail north to Oban. During our eight night island hopping voyage, we will explore amazing little contained worlds including Alderney, Sark, Tresco and St Martin’s with their crystal clear waters and fine white sandy beaches that would not disgrace a Caribbean island. We also visit Bryher, Lundy and the Isle of Man which are rarely visited gems and almost never included on cruise schedules before spending a day in the beautiful Hebrides. Our time will be spent walking the nature trails, seeing the abundant birdlife and flowers and experiencing life in these remote communities.
Such an itinerary would be difficult to arrange independently and the MS Hebridean Sky is the perfect small ship for such a venture. A maximum of 100 passengers allows us to explore places otherwise inaccessible to larger ships and with our nimble Zodiac craft, we can land on out of the way coves and be footloose in a way that would be totally impractical for larger groups of passengers.
Our journey offers a portrait of life in our islands and is a wonderful opportunity to see some of our most beautiful places, meet some interesting inhabitants and learn more about both the past and present of Britain. Whether you be an avid gardener, birdwatcher, amateur historian, or simply enjoy sailing past and visiting some of the most enchanting places in the world, this trip has it all.
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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 Plymouth, UK.
Embark the MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Plymouth railway station at a fixed time.
Days 2 & 3 Channel Islands.
Our first two days are in the Channel Islands as we visit the Bailwick of Guernsey. On 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 drive during which we will see the beautiful coastline and beaches and visit the Little Chapel, built in 1914 as a miniature version of the famous basilica at Lourdes and covered in fragments of shattered china, or join a cliff walk along the scenic coastline. We will 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 exploring on foot. Here, you will have free time to explore, perhaps take a stroll over to Shell or Belvoir Beach whilst our naturalists will be ashore on the lookout for wildflowers and birds. On Alderney, visit the island’s only town, St Anne, which has all the old-world charm of a Normandy village with tiny squares and pastel shaded cottages and shops. Maybe join a short walk to see the German fortifications or a longer walk with our naturalists heading to the cliffs to see the abundant birdlife. At Sark we will use our Zodiacs to land on this peaceful traffic-free island. Horse-drawn carriages take us along the narrow lanes alive with the songs of chaffinches, skylarks and mistle thrush as we see the narrow isthmus which joins Little Sark and Big Sark and the enchanting gardens at La Seigneurie. Those feeling active may wish to hire a bicycle and explore independently.
Days 4 & 5 Isles of Scilly.
We will spend two days exploring the beautiful Isles of Scilly. From our central anchorage, we will use our Zodiacs and local tenders to visit a number of the islands in the group. We will visit traffic-free Tresco, walking its idyllic lanes from the beach to the famous subtropical 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. On St Agnes we find the most southwesterly community in the UK. Surrounded by rocks and reefs this delightful tiny island offers marvellous coastal walks. The small island of Gugh lies across a narrow sandbar and here we find a single stone monolith called the ‘Old Man of Gugh’ which dates back to the Bronze Age. Maybe join a boat trip to the island of Annet, the second largest of the uninhabited islands and a bird sanctuary. We are not allowed to land here but will cruise the coastline alive with puffins, European storm petrels and shag. We will 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. The 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. See the northernmost island of the group, St Martin’s, a small island community of just 120 residents. Enjoy time to explore independently, climb to one of the viewpoints for vistas over the islands and the offshore seal colonies or maybe join one of our birders on a guided walk.
Day 6 Lundy Island.
Over breakfast we arrive on Lundy, a remote island in the Bristol Channel. Although small, just three miles long by half a mile wide, its isolation has made it a home for a range of wildlife whilst it is home to a clutch of listed buildings and monuments. The towering cliffs and rocky shoreline are a haven for migrating seabirds, whilst sika deer, red deer and Soay sheep can also be seen as we walk along its traffic-free lanes and paths. Spend the morning being as active as you wish, maybe explore the wide bays and coves by way of hanging valleys, see ancient burial chambers, climb the lighthouse, have a drink or lunch at the tavern or buy the island’s ‘puffin stamps’ at the shop. We sail in the early afternoon and spend some relaxing time at sea.
Day 7 Calf of Man & Peel, Isle of Man.
At first light we will cruise around the Calf of Man, a 600 acre island situated off the southern tip of the Isle of Man, and home to thousands of seabirds including Manx shearwater, kittiwake and razorbill. Meanwhile in the water we may be lucky to see dolphins and seals. Afterwards we will continue to Peel where the rest of the morning is at leisure to explore independently. After lunch on board, or independently ashore, we will visit Tynwald Hill, located in the little village of St John’s. This grasstopped, 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. At Castletown, 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.
Day 8 Colonsay & Iona, Hebrides.
Awake this morning off Colonsay. Lying between Mull and Islay, we will spend the morning exploring this lovely island with her craggy, heather-backed hills and sparse woodland yet with an impressive array of plant and birdlife. Near Colonsay House, built in 1722 by Malcolm MacNeil and bought by Lord Strathcona in 1904, we will visit the attractively dilapidated wooded gardens, which protect the tiny, enigmatic 8th century St Oran’s Cross. Sail over lunch to 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. No less than 62 Scottish Kings are buried in the Abbey. Visit the Abbey or perhaps walk along the white sandy beaches.
Day 9 Oban.
Disembark this morning after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Central Train Station at a fixed time.
Dates and Prices
2 to 10 May 2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £4195 | £3995 |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £4395 | £4195 |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £4595 | £4395 |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £4895 | £4695 |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £5195 | £4995 |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £5595 | £5395 |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £6095 | £5895 |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | £5395 | £5195 |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £5795 | £5595 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS020521
PRICE INCLUDES: Eight nights aboard the MS Hebridean 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.
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.
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: 2 to 10 May 2021 -
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: 2 to 10 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: 2 to 10 May 2021
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Book with Confidence
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