Logs
Cruise the remote Orkney and Shetland Isles and enjoy long summer days filled with beautiful guided walks and visits far off the beaten track. Provision is made for those who prefer a less active itinerary, with fascinationg tours to local attractions, so this stunning cruise will appeal to all.
Monday 10th August — Invergordon and Helmsdale
The cruise began at Invergordon, where guests came aboard to a warm welcome and a glorious evening sky as Hebridean Princess set sail for the first time. We anchored overnight off Helmsdale, the Scottish coast slipping quietly into dusk behind us.
Tuesday 11th August — Wick, Dunnet Bay and Stromness
A short morning sail took us north to Wick, where Walkers and Strollers alike headed out towards Dunnet Bay. Strollers had a choice of distillery visits, while Walkers enjoyed gentle beach walks along the sand.
The afternoon was spent at sea, cruising towards Stromness — the Orkney flag duly hoisted as we approached — ahead of the Captain’s Welcome Gala dinner and another spectacular sunset. We arrived and berthed alongside in Stromness that evening, where we remained overnight.
Wednesday 12th August — Stromness, Birsay and a Partial Eclipse
From Stromness, a coach carried the Walkers out for our first full day’s walk of the trip: 7.5 miles along stunning coast and cliffs, with a picnic lunch taken among the old ruins of fishermen’s huts before a steep climb to the Kitchener Memorial. The sun broke through just as we climbed, and the temperature rose with us — while the local rabbit population turned out in force to see us on our way. The walk ended at the ruined Palace of Birsay.
Meanwhile, our Strollers explored Skara Brae’s extraordinary Neolithic village before an afternoon taking in the Birsay Earl’s Palace, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness and Barnhouse Village.
Back on board after a wonderful day out, and a quick change saw guests gathering on deck to pray for a break in the cloud, hoping to catch the solar eclipse from our berth at Stromness. The bar team kept spirits high, and our patience was rewarded with two or three brief but clear glimpses of the moon partially covering the sun.
Thursday 13th August — At Sea to Fair Isle
Thursday was a gentle day at sea, sailing from Orkney towards Shetland. We enjoyed a magnificent buffet lunch before reaching Fair Isle, where Hebridean Princess circumnavigated the island so we could marvel at the bird life crowding its sea stacks — gannets, puffins and fulmars among them. We anchored overnight on the east side of mainland Shetland.
Friday 14th August — Unst and Baltasound
We sailed for Unst during the morning, blessed with some unexpected sunshine and wonderful views, reaching Baltasound in the afternoon. Walkers explored the alpine landscape of the Keen of Hamar nature reserve, stopping en route at Bobby’s Bus Shelter — named for the seven-year-old boy who saved it from demolition back in 1996, and still decorated afresh each year by the locals, this year in an Alice in Wonderland theme. Beyond the reserve, the walk brought headland views and a fair few stiles and fences to navigate, before we tendered back to the Princess for Pimm’s, cocktails and canapés.
Strollers, meanwhile, took in Unst’s Heritage Centre, the Boathouse and a replica Viking longship. We anchored overnight in the Voe of Cullingsburgh, off mainland Shetland.
Saturday 15th August — Lerwick, Scalloway and the Shetland Fiddlers
From our overnight anchorage we sailed into Lerwick early on Saturday morning. Walkers were taken by coach to the village of Scalloway for a fabulous coastal and moorland walk, complete with a picnic lunch and thermoses of very welcome hot soup. Along the way we heard about remote island life from a local resident — and met some of her hens, who clearly thought a group of walkers was the highlight of their day.
Strollers spent the morning at the Shetland Museum & Archives before an afternoon boat trip to Mousa for walks of their own. We returned to Lerwick with time to explore the town before an evening of entertainment from a local band of Shetland Fiddlers, music accompanied by dancing, plenty of laughter and even a request for an encore. We remained alongside overnight.
Sunday 16th August — Stronsay and the Vat of Kirbister
We cruised south from Lerwick on Sunday, arriving back in Orkney by the afternoon. Anchoring off Stronsay, Walkers and Strollers alike were ferried by local minibus and car to the start of a walk to the Vat of Kirbister, taking in spectacular views, fulmar chicks nesting on the cliffs, wonderful wildflowers and even a few curious cows along the way. Tenders and the speedboat brought everyone back to the ship for canapés, cocktails and dinner, rounding off another marvellous day.
We arrived and berthed alongside in Lyness, on Hoy, late that night, remaining there overnight.
Monday 17th August — Scapa Flow and Stroma
We spent Monday morning at Lyness on the Isle of Hoy, exploring the remnants of the old WWI and WWII naval bases at Scapa Flow. Two groups of Walkers set out along the wartime trail, one heading up to Wee Fea and the other to the very poignant Royal Naval Cemetery, before all met back at the museum to learn more about the naval base and its operations.
Strollers spent the morning at the Scapa Flow Museum itself.
We sailed over lunch for the privately owned island of Stroma, exploring its deserted cottages and empty landscape at leisure, before finally saying goodbye to Orkney and Shetland and turning south for the coast of mainland Scotland. We anchored somewhere along the Caithness coast overnight, the exact spot left to the weather.
Tuesday 18th August — Invergordon, Dornoch and Dunrobin Castle
A relaxing morning sail brought Hebridean Princess back to her berth at Invergordon, leaving Walkers and Strollers an afternoon ashore. Walkers set out along the beach at Dornoch for an atmospheric — and at times rather damp — coastal walk, while Strollers headed further up the coast to visit the turreted splendour of Dunrobin Castle.
Everyone returned on board for our farewell Gala dinner, a few after-dinner stories, and the chance to look back together on a truly fabulous Footloose cruise. We remained alongside overnight in Invergordon.
Wednesday 19th August — Invergordon
Our journey came to an end at Invergordon, where the day was spent on passenger disembarkation — guests heading home with memories of eagle-eyed bird spotting, cliff-top walks, standing stones, fiddle music and the golden light of a Northern Isles summer.
