Logs
Discover the far-flung islands of Orkney and Shetland, as Hebridean Princess sails where the Norse once ruled. These contrasting archipelagos boast some of the finest Neolithic sites in Britian and both played vital roles during WWII. Havens for wildlife, they host a trove of hidden treasures waiting to be explored.
Thursday 23rd July — Invergordon & Dunrobin Bay
Our voyage began in Invergordon, where we welcomed our guests on board. With cabins settled and the first glasses raised, we slipped our moorings and anchored overnight in Dunrobin Bay, beneath the fairytale spires of Dunrobin Castle — a peaceful start to our adventure to the Northern Isles.
Friday 24th July — Passage to Orkney & Kirkwall
We spent the morning cruising Scotland’s east coast before crossing the legendary Pentland Firth to Orkney, berthing alongside in Kirkwall by afternoon. From there a coach carried guests across the wartime Churchill Barriers to the exquisite Italian Chapel — built by Italian prisoners of war from two Nissen huts and remarkable ingenuity, and moving all who stepped inside.
We remained alongside in Kirkwall overnight.
Saturday 25th July — Standing Stones of Stenness & Stromness
This morning our coach set off for the Skara Brae visitor centre, and a tour including the Standing Stones of Stenness and Scapa Flow. Others explored Kirkwall independently, with St Magnus Cathedral a firm favourite.
In the afternoon we visited Stromness, where flagstone streets wind down to the harbour and the museum delighted with tales of Arctic whalers and the scuttled German fleet of Scapa Flow.
We remained alongside overnight and the Kirkjuvagr family band and dancers came on board to entertain our guests after dinner.
Sunday 26th July — Cruising towards Fair Isle
A relaxed day at sea took us towards Fair Isle, famous for its knitwear and seabirds, with gannets, fulmars and the odd puffin escorting us north. As evening fell we anchored in the sheltered waters of Dury Voe, Shetland.
Monday 27th July — Unst: Saxa Vord Spaceport
The morning found us sailing north to the most northerly of the Shetland Isles, Unst. The afternoon brought a change of era: at Baltasound, guests visited the Saxa Vord Spaceport, where the UK’s space ambitions are taking shape at the very edge of the kingdom.
We anchored overnight in Baltasound.
Tuesday 28th July — Muckle Flugga & Whalsay
We began with a sight few witness from the sea: Muckle Flugga, the most northerly point of the British Isles, its Stevenson lighthouse standing defiant above the swell.
Turning south, we berthed in Lerwick by afternoon, from where guests travelled via Laxo and the local ferry to Whalsay to explore the Hanseatic Museum and Heritage Centre.
We remained alongside in Lerwick overnight.
Wednesday 29th July — Jarlshof, Sumburgh Head & Lerwick
The coach headed south to Jarlshof, where four thousand years of settlement — Neolithic to Norse — lie layered one upon another, while the cliffs of Sumburgh Head rewarded us with puffins wheeling above the lighthouse.
In the afternoon guests visited the superb Shetland Museum and Archives or wandered Lerwick’s characterful lanes, before a second night alongside.
Thursday 30th July — Papa Westray & the Knap of Howar
After a morning cruising south towards Orkney, the afternoon brought us to little Papa Westray and the Knap of Howar — the oldest standing house in north-west Europe, home to Neolithic farmers some 5,700 years ago. To stand within walls older than the Pyramids was a moment none of us will soon forget.
We anchored overnight in Rapness Sound.
Friday 31st July — The Old Man of Hoy & Wick
Our final full day began with spectacular cruising past the Kitchener Memorial and the mighty Old Man of Hoy, before threading the Pentland Firth once more towards Wick. Ashore, guests visited the Wick Heritage Museum and explored the town — once Europe’s busiest herring port.
As the sun set, we anchored in the Cromarty Firth, near Invergordon.
Saturday 1st August — Farewell at Invergordon
And so our journey came full circle in Invergordon, where we bade a fond farewell to our guests. From five-thousand-year-old villages to Britain’s newest spaceport, it was a voyage that captured the very best of Orkney and Shetland. Until next time — fair winds and following seas.
