Itinerary

Glasgow, Loch Lomond and Oban

Dubbed the Empire's Second City, this bustling metropolis is a working town and the economic engine of Scotland. Known for its architecture, Glasgow's cathedral spires and Italianate steeples sit harmoniously alongside neo-gothic towers, the sensuous Art Nou-veau of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the titanium, glass and steel that serves as the backdrop for this contemporary city.

Islay and Jura - Inner Hebrides

Islay is referred to as the Cradle of Clan Donald. The descendants of Somerled, a 12th century prince, made their home at Loch Finlaggan. However, it was on Eilean na Comhairle (the council isle) that the Lordship government discussed important matters of the Hebrides. The capital of Islay today is Bowmore, home of the Bowmore Round Kirk and one of the island's seven whisky distilleries.

Jura is the wildest island in the Inner Hebrides. The ragged west side is uninhabited and dotted with caves, arches, pillars and raised beaches bordering a vast area of rock and blanket bog. Deer, wild goats, and golden eagles thrive here, but so do palm trees in the mild climate surrounding the only substantial village, Craighurst (population: 160). It has all the necessities of life -hotel, pub, post office, church, shop, doctor and distillery! Jura fascinated George Orwell, who lived here for two years as he penned the novel 1984.

Staffa, Iona and Lunga - Treshnish Isles

Not far from Mull, the isle of Staffa is noted for its basalt cliffs and 'Fingal's Cave'- a spectacular natural feature named for the Celtic hero, and the inspiration for Mendelssohn's Hebridean overture.

Iona is where St. Columba established his monastery - the luminary of all the Caledonian Region in 563AD. Though savagely attacked by the Vikings, Iona was traditionally the burial places of Kings and it long enjoyed the patronage of the Lord of the Isles. The much restored Abbey complex preserves two outstanding 8th century crosses and a splendid collection of sculptures commissioned or influenced by the Chiefs of Clan Donald and their allies.

Sailing past Lunga, the largest island in the Treshnish group, which has been described as 'a green jewel in a peacock sea' we will be treated to rock stacks and seabirds, and a chance to view some of the 30,000 pairs of breeding puffins in the surrounding hills.

Mingulay and Barra - Outer Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides form a long archipelago off Scotland's west coast and are the stronghold of Gaelic culture and language. Mingulay is home to puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, shags, fulmars and razorbills. Sightings of eagles and peregrine falcons are possible here. This lovely island also served as inspiration for the noted tune "Mingulay Boat Song". Now uninhabited, a large natural arch and dramatic sea stacks adorn the western side of the island.

Barra is the ancestral island of Clan MacNeil whose chiefs were based at Kisimul Castle, which still sits impressively intact a few hundred yards offshore from the pleasant village of Castlebay. Alexander Lord of the Isles granted the MacNeils the island in 1427 and a century later the clan was accused of launching piratical raids on English shipping endeavours. Barra was later the home of writer Compton Mackenzie who used the setting for his novel (later a movie) Whisky Galore.

St. Kilda

St. Kilda was inhabited until 1930 when the population was forced to request evacuation. This near-mystical isle, 64 km (40 mi) west of the Outer Hebrides and now a World Heritage Site supports an abundant population of seabirds, notably puffins, fulmars and the largest gannet colony in Britain, and the Soay - a unique feral sheep left by the islanders. It also preserves many examples of houses, cleits (stone beehive shaped storage structures) and prehistoric remains. A hike to the cliffs offers a stunning 274m (900 ft) vista. To visit St. Kilda is a unique privilege and an altogether memorable experience.

Old Man of Hoy and Orkney Mainland

We'll do an early morning sail past the Old Man of Hoy, a distinctive 137m (450 ft) sea stack, a red standstone plinth of igneous basalt on the west coast of the isle of Hoy. Continuous occupation by Vikings, Celts, Picts and stone-age peoples make Orkney one of the richest archaeological areas in the UK. We visit the 4,000-year old Ring of Brodgar, one of Europe's finest ancient Neolithic monuments, and also Maes Howe, a Neolithic chambered cairn estimated to have been constructed around 2700 BC. Kirkwall is a fine country town dominated by the massive Magnus Cathedral, dating from 1137, one of the best examples of its kind in Britain and the final resting place of Orkney-born Canadian Arctic explorer, John Rae. Orkney has strong links to the Hudson?s Bay Company (HBC). From HBC's early days, their ships regularly called at Stromness for supplies and labour. By late 18th century three quarters of the HBC's workforce in Canada were Orcadians.

Foula and Papa Stour, Shetland Islands

Foula is the most remote permanently inhabited island in the UK; 31 souls live here, 23 km (14 mi) west of the Shetland Islands. Many preserve traditional methods of agriculture and subsistence, while most have access to the Internet in their crofts. Known for its 400m (1,312 ft) high cliffs and its arctic terns, red-throated divers and great skuas, we'll be in the area at just the right time to see a considerable number of birds. Islanders still acknowledge the Julian calendar which celebrates Christmas on January 6 and New Year's on January 13, and remnants of an old Norse tongue, Norn, are still found here.

Humans have settled at Papa Stour since mesolithic times. The name, which means 'big island of the priests', commemorates Celtic monks who were engulfed by Viking settlers around 800 AD. A population of 20 and one of Britain's most dramatic coastlines - sea stacks, twisting tidal channels and rugged cliffscapes - perfect for Zodiac touring!

Fair Isle and Mousa, Shetland Islands

Fair Isle has a National Trust Bird Observatory. A key destination in Viking times, it now hosts a hospitable population of some 70 people who happily combine a respect for tradition with a modern outlook. Great skuas greet visitors seeking puffins, while a charming museum is devoted to island heritage.

The isle of Mousa, in addition to being a fine birding island, Mousa is the site of the best preserved broch in the world. These fortified structures are unique to Scotland. We'll explore the 12m (40ft) high monument and climb the inner staircase up. Its precise function is a matter of debate and a potent source of speculation.

Stonehaven & Aberdeenshire

Stonehaven is home to Dunotter Castle, a mighty fortification situated high upon majestic North Sea cliffs. The castle played a significant role in Scottish history particularly in the 17th century when it housed the Scottish crown jewels and also functioned as a state prison. Today it is ruled by numerous seabirds.

Dundee and St. Andrews

St. Andrews is home to Scotland’'s first university, as well as the game of golf. But most notable are St. Andrews Castle and Cathedral perched on a promontory overlooking the sea, and their role as the stage for several of the most notorious episodes of the Reformation. Here we disembark the Clipper Odyssey.

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