Logs
The northernmost outposts of the British Isles, Orkney and Shetland abound with stunning scenery, seabird colonies and mysterious prehistoric sites. These unique ans remote islands, where Scotland meets Scandinavia, are truly remarkable and are home to a wealth of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Saturday 1st August
We spent the day in Invergordon, welcoming our guests aboard for the voyage ahead. With embarkation complete and the ship provisioned for the days to come, we set sail as evening fell and anchored overnight in the sheltered waters of Dunrobin Bay.
Sunday 2nd August
We spent the morning cruising the east coast of Scotland and through the Pentland Firth, bound for Orkney. By early afternoon we had arrived and berthed alongside in Kirkwall, where guests enjoyed free time to wander the town and visit the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral.
We remained alongside in Kirkwall overnight and local entertainment was enjoyed in the Tiree Lounge after dinner.
Monday 3rd August
This morning, a coach carried guests to the Italian Chapel and the Churchill Barriers, two remarkable reminders of Orkney’s wartime history.
In the afternoon we sailed to Kettletoft, Sanday, where guests went ashore to explore on foot or joined a minibus tour around the island.
We anchored off Sanday overnight.
Tuesday 4th August
We spent the morning cruising on passage towards Fair Isle, circumnavigating its dramatic cliffs and seabird colonies during the afternoon before continuing on towards mainland Shetland. After dinner we arrived and berthed alongside in Lerwick, where we remained overnight.
Wednesday 5th August
This morning, a coach took guests to the Scalloway Museum, while the afternoon saw a minibus shuttle service running to the Shetland Museum and Archives for those keen to delve deeper into island history. Others chose to explore Lerwick independently.
We remained alongside in Lerwick overnight.
Thursday 6th August
After leaving Lerwick this morning, we called at Baltasound, where a coach took guests on a scenic tour of Unst, taking in the Unst Boat Haven, Unst Heritage Centre, and the replica Viking longhouse and longship. In the afternoon, the coach continued to the south of the island, visiting the atmospheric ruins of Muness Castle.
We anchored overnight in Grutness Voe.
Friday 7th August
We spent the morning cruising on passage back towards the Orkney Isles. In the afternoon we called at Pierowall, Westray, where a minibus took guests to the Noup Head Bird Reserve, while others enjoyed independent walks around the village.
Late in the evening we arrived and berthed alongside in Stromness, Orkney, where we remained overnight.
Saturday 8th August
This morning, a coach took guests to the ancient sites of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and the Standing Stones of Stenness, while others chose to explore Kirkwall independently.
In the afternoon, a coach carried guests to Stromness, where they explored the town and visited the Stromness Museum.
We berthed alongside in Scrabster overnight.
Sunday 9th August
This morning, a coach took guests to visit the Stannergill Distillery.
We spent the afternoon cruising the Pentland Firth and the east coast of Scotland on passage towards our overnight anchorage, which we reached in Cromarty, remaining there overnight.
Monday 10th August
We spent the day in Invergordon, bidding farewell to our guests as we completed passenger disembarkation, bringing this voyage through Orkney and Shetland to a close.
