11 days tour

The Scottish Isles – Island Hopping In The Hebrides

The Scottish Isles – Island Hopping In The Hebrides

This tour includes:

Guide

Crew guide

Accommodation

A stay in a cabin of your choice

Transport

MS Spitsbergen

Meals

Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws, excludes premium drinks) All day coffee, tea and soft drinks A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Others

International flights Travel insurance Luggage handling Optional shore excursions with our local partners Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip The Scottish Isles – Island Hopping In The Hebrides

  • Day 1 Day 1: Embark In Glasgow (Greenock)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Embark In Glasgow (Greenock)

      Start in Scotland’s stylish city of cultureA former industrial powerhouse, Glasgow has reinvented itself as a cultural hot spot, packed with museums, galleries and parks. Discover the splendid Art Nouveau architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh before your expedition cruise begins.You’ll embark in Glasgow (Greenock) where MS Spitsbergen, one of our smaller vessels purpose-built for close-up exploration, will be waiting for you. Get to know the ship before meeting the Expedition Team – your guides for the adventure ahead. Enjoy your first onboard dinner as we set sail.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Beautiful Isle Of Arran
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Beautiful Isle Of Arran

      Enjoy wildlife spotting on ArranWelcome to the Isle of Arran, known for its heather-cloaked landscapes. Why not try a hike with views of the craggy peaks of Goat Fell and see if you can spot Scotland’s ‘Big Five’: the Golden Eagle, red deer, red squirrel, otter and harbour seal, all of which can be found on Arran.Explore the woodland and gardens of Brodick Castle, and marvel at the Neolithic treasures and huge upright slabs at the Machrie Moor Stone Circle. Your stop wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Isle of Arran Distillery and a taste of their distinctive malt.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Islay’S Whisky And Nature
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Islay’S Whisky And Nature

      Fire up your spirit of discovery on ’Whisky Island’Islay, the ‘Queen of the Hebrides’, is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, with rugged uplands and coastline. The island is the proud home of world-famous peaty single malts – but that’s far from the only reason to visit. Islay is a wildlife haven, home to over 200 species of birds – including oystercatchers, gannets and Golden Eagles. From its sandy beaches, you can sometimes spot dolphins and basking sharks.Port Ellen is the gateway to three of the island’s nine distilleries. Of course, no trip to Islay is complete without a ’wee dram’ from one of these famous and historic whisky producers, including Laphroaig and Ardbeg.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Sustainable Isle Of Gigha
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Sustainable Isle Of Gigha

      Discover a slice of paradise in the HebridesToday our Scottish isles cruise takes us to tiny Gigha (pronounced ‘Gee-a’), a little sandy slice of paradise in the Hebrides. The island is community-owned, bought by its 163 residents in 2002, and has a sustainable local economy. Why not try some of its seafood, such as Gigha halibut and oysters.At only seven miles long, the only way to get around Gigha is on foot or by hiring a bike. Visit the woodland gardens of Achamore House and admire the colourful rhododendrons. Then explore white sandy coves and the turquoise waters along the coast, such as the Bàgh Rubha Ruaidh and Bàgh na Dòirlinne beaches.

  • Day 5 Day 5: The Spirit Of Iona
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: The Spirit Of Iona

      See Iona’s sacred abbey and Fingal’s Cave on StaffaYour adventure continues to Iona, off the coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. You can visit the restored 6th century abbey, one of Scotland’s oldest and most sacred Christian pilgrimage sites. Or enjoy a hike with the Expedition Team up Dùn I for breathtaking views of St Columba’s Bay – and take a sip from the ’Well of Eternal Youth’.We’ll also sail to the Treshnish Isles – home to Atlantic Puffins, razorbills and grey seals. At nearby Fingal’s Cave, marvel at the hexagonal basalt columns, superb natural acoustics and mesmerising, coloured waters.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Expedition Day
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Expedition Day

      Explore the tranquil southernmost islands of the Outer HebridesToday, we’ll explore the southernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides.We’ll attempt a nature landing on the white sand beaches of Vatersay, located at the beginning of the renowned Hebridean Way. The mighty wind and waves of the Atlantic have carved sheltered harbours here, allowing settlements to arise as far back as the Neolithic period. Explore the rich history and admire the tranquil beauty of this tiny island, before heading south to remote Mingulay.Abandoned by its resident population a century ago, Mingulay is home to some of the largest bird colonies in the Hebrides. Puffins, guillemots, fulmars, kittiwakes and more make their nests across the island, including on the towering Carnan Cliffs, a protected breeding area. If conditions allow, we’ll take our small expedition boats around the island on the lookout for some of these magnificent birds.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Stalwart Stornoway
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Stalwart Stornoway

      Experience ’Scotland’s Stonehenge’ and find your tweedWe travel next to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides, home of the famous Harris Tweed cloth. We’ll visit Gothic-style Lews Castle, with its trails and fantastic views. Don’t miss ’Scotland’s Stonehenge’, the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones, and Dùn Carloway, the best-preserved Iron Age broch in Scotland. We’ll also cruise the wild and beautiful Shiant Isles, a tiny archipelago set in the Minch Strait. One of the most important breeding colonies for seabirds in Europe, keep an eye out for European Shags, Common Eiders, Northern Fulmars and Great Skuas in the surrounding waters or on volcanic ledges.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Isles Of Beauty
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Isles Of Beauty

      Get close to dramatic scenery and wonderful wildlife on Skye and EiggWe’ll sail to Loch Scavaig on the Isle of Skye, where dramatic scenery surrounds us. “The wildest scene in the Highlands” – that’s how the Victorian poet Lord Tennyson described Loch Coruisk and the surrounding craggy peaks of the Cuillin Mountains. We’ll put on our hiking boots to explore the loch with the Expedition Team.Our next stop is the remote Isle of Eigg, home to incredible wildlife. You might spot Golden and White-Tailed Eagles, Red Throated Divers, stonechats, seals, dolphins and porpoises. Stroll along the white sands of Laig Bay to the quartz beach where the sand sings, or hike to the top of An Sgùrr.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Mull’S Colourful Fishing Port
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Mull’S Colourful Fishing Port

      Get ready for the dreamy beauty of the Sound of MullBrightly coloured Georgian houses line the waterfront in the picturesque fishing port of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Learn about the local heritage at the Mull Museum, try a dram of local whisky, stroll around the loch in Aros Park or pay a visit to the Baliscate Standing Stones. The Isle of Mull is a magnet for birders. It has the highest breeding density of Golden Eagles in Europe, and White-tailed Eagles can often be seen soaring above the coast. We may also explore Loch Sunart, a Marine Protected Area known for otters, dolphins and porpoises.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Colonsay Birds And Blooms
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Colonsay Birds And Blooms

      Immerse yourself in unspoilt island beautyTake a coastal walk on the Isle of Colonsay and enjoy breathtaking views from Kiloran Bay and Plaide Mhòr. Or if you’re lucky enough to be in a kayak, you may catch sight of whales, porpoises and dolphins.Flora thrives on Colonsay, with over 400 species of plants present. You’ll see some of them in the woodland gardens of Colonsay House. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers, with choughs, Red Northern Divers, eagles, fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and shags among the birds you can spot. Be sure to listen out for the rattle of the elusive corncrake.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Back To Glasgow
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Back To Glasgow

      Your island-hopping odyssey comes to an end in Scotland’s biggest cityYour adventure to the wild Scottish Isles ends back in Glasgow (Greenock).Lying on the shores of the Firth of Clyde with views across to the high hills of Argyll, Glasgow’s impressive fishing and shipping heritage is manifest in the Victorian architecture of the west end of town. It’s well worth exploring this area some more if you have time before you head home.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but you’re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

You’ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 6 / Max: 90

Age range allowed for this experience.

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