CRUISE ITINERARY

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DAY 1 ~ GLASGOW

The bustling metropolis of Glasgow is the economic engine of Scotland—and an architectural delight. You’ll find Italianate steeples, neo-Gothic towers, the Art Nouveau of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the titanium, glass and steel of contemporary buildings.

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We depart Glasgow via coach—and travel onward to Greenock, where we'll meet the Ocean Endeavour, our home for the next ten nights.

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DAY 2 ~ ISLAY 

The Queen of the Hebrides, Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides. This island lies only forty kilometres from the Irish coast. Islay is a haven for seabirds, thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.

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Islay is world-famous for fine whisky, thanks to clear waters, fine peat, and barley. The capital of Islay is Bowmore, known for its distilleries and is home of the Bowmore Round Kirk.

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DAY 3 ~ IONA & STAFFA

The isle of Staffa is famed for basaltic formations and numerous caves. The best known of these is Fingal’s Cave, a spectacular geological feature named for the Celtic hero. Originally known in Gaelic as “the melodious cave”, it provided the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s overture, The Hebrides. 

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St. Columba established his monastery at nearby Iona—the burial place of kings. The restored Iona Abbey complex preserves two outstanding eighth-century crosses and a splendid collection of sculpture.

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DAY 4 ~ ISLE OF SKYE 

This is a fabulous day for birders, photographers, and hikers. En route to the Isle of Skye, we sail by the cliffs at Lunga, where razorbills, guillemots, and puffins make their nests.

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We will cruise the southwestern shore of Skye to visit Loch Coruisk, a freshwater loch accessed through Loch Scavaig. Here we find one of the finest mountainscapes in Britain, backed by the Cullin Mountains. We will hike the western shore and revel in the view.

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DAY 5 ~ MINGULAY

Mingulay has been uninhabited by humans since 1912. Instead, puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, shags, fulmars, razorbills, eagles, and peregrine falcons make their homes here.

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A large natural arch, towering cliffs, and dramatic sea stacks are found at Mingulay. The island inspired the “Mingulay Boat Song”. Today it is managed by the National Trust.

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DAY 6 ~ ST. KILDA 

The archipelago known as St. Kilda was inhabited until 1930. Today, St. Kilda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protecting fascinating ruins as well as natural heritage features. Enormous cliffs offer dramatic ocean views for our hikers!

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Seabirds thrive on the nearby island of Hirta—notably, puffins, fulmars, and the largest gannet colony in Britain (and the second-largest in the world). Hirta is also home to feral sheep left by the departing islanders.

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DAY 7 ~ ISLE OF LEWIS

Lewis is the largest of the Hebridean Islands and a Gaelic stronghold. Harris Tweed has its headquarters on Lewis. Its product is hand woven exclusively in the Outer Hebrides by weavers working at home. We’ll visit Stornoway, the island’s capital.

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On the west side of Lewis is Callanish, one of Britain’s most important Stone Age sites. Callanish’s standing stones are said to be giants who were punished by St. Kieran for refusing to convert to Christianity.

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DAY 8 ~ KIRKWALL, ORKNEY

At the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we’ll find the 4,000-year-old Ring of Brodgar—the third-largest standing stone circle in the UK, predating Stonehenge.

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Kirkwall is dominated by the massive Magnus Cathedral, dating from 1137. This is the final resting place of the famed Orcadian Arctic explorer, John Rae.

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DAY 9 ~ PAPA STOUR & FOULA

Marine and bird life flourish at Papa Stour among cliffs, caves, sea stacks, and blowholes. There are numerous Neolithic burial sites, as well as Norse Ruins. 

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Twenty-three kilometres west of the Shetland Islands, Foula is the most remote inhabited island in the UK. Here, a few dozen folk make their homes, many preserving traditional methods of agriculture and subsistence. Arctic terns, red-throated loons, and great skuas may be found here.

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DAY 10 ~ MOUSA

A fine birding island, uninhabited Mousa is home to a Special Protection Area (SPA) for breeding storm petrels. It is also the site of the best preserved broch in the world. These fortified structures are unique to Scotland. The Mousa broch dates to the Iron Age and is mentioned in two Norse sagas. Its original purpose is a matter of debate and speculation.

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DAY 11 ~ ABERDEEN
The Ocean Endeavour arrives in Aberdeen in the morning. You may choose to extend your stay in Scotland, take part in one of our optional extensions, or make your way home from here.

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END OF CRUISE

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