The British Isles
A partial circumnavigation of Britain | 13 days
This voyage sets off from Portsmouth and sails west to Tresco in the Scilly Isles, Ireland’s Dunmore East and Llandudno on the north coast of Wales before re-crossing the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland for the Giants Causeway. It takes in the Inner and Outer Hebrides including remote and storm ravaged St Kilda, the Orkneys, Shetlands and Bass Rock which hosts over 150,000 northern gannets in the breeding season. Disembark in Edinburgh.
Ship: Sea Spirit
When: 8 – 20 May 2024, 6 – 18 May 2025
Guide price: From £6,115 per person based on twin cabin (private facilities) with early booking offer
Options: Sea Spirit’s consecutive Wild Islands and Lands of Legends voyage in and out of Edinburgh 19-30 May 2024 and 17 – 28 May 2025 visits the Orkneys, Fair Isle, Shetlands and the Faroes. Prices from £5,520 per person.
Greg Mortimer’s 12 day Wild Scotland voyage in May 2024 and May 2025 sails Edinburgh to Aberdeen via the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands and Orkneys. Price from £8,110 per person with early booking discount for 2025.
SH Vega’s unusual voyage routes Portsmouth to Dublin via Stornaway 24 May – 4 June 2024. Price from £4,410 per person.
Trip Reports relating to the Scottish Isles
Map
Travel Tips
Comments
Fiona’s travel tips
BEST TIME TO GO: May and June for the best weather.
MIDGES: Unfortunately the first midges start to appear in Scotland early June and can be around right up to the end of October! However they don’t like strong sunlight, breezes or white or light clothing. Wearing protective clothing and repellents will help keep them at bay.
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Clients’ comments
“Yet again thank you for making the travel arrangements to and from Sea Spirit so easy. Another educational and enjoyable trip. Including time spent in this part of the world in the early 1960s it must be about my 20+ time to have crossed 66°30’N. After about an hour from sailing we came across a feeding frenzy which included whales (Humpback), dolphins, gannets and other sea birds. Yet another amazing sight to add to the list.”
Peter Wright, Crossing the Arctic Circle on Sea Spirit
“I felt I received a personal and accessible service from Fiona from my initial enquiry to near the time of my departure. The holiday itself lived up to all my expectations”.
Jennifer Dalmaine, Scotland to Spitsbergen Arctic voyage
“Our favourite part of the trip was observing the walrus, least favourite, the dining area was too noisy during meal times. In all other respects the trip was excellent and was hugely blessed by the quality of the lectures and lecturers.”
John and Beryl Bannister, Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen
“I really enjoyed being among the ice and seeing how it moved in relation to the ship and other bits of ice. There were polar bears and walrus too, but for me the wildlife took second place to the ice and the general environment. Having talked to some of the other passengers, I think the service you provided was exemplary and I have been singing your praises…I’ve never gone on a holiday organised by someone else before so I didn’t know what to expect, but it seems that my experience was far better than some of the others. There were a few times during the trip when I felt a little ‘herded’ but I think that’s the price you pay for being in such an inaccessible part of the world. All in all, a very enjoyable experience and one I would repeat in the northern hemisphere again, in a few years’ time”.
Anne Robinson, Jan Mayen to Spitsbergen
“Particular thanks to Fiona for her courtesy, professionalism and help with booking flights back to Edinburgh. Pre-departure information very good. Excellent handling of last-minute changes caused by change of vessel.”
Mr and Mrs Norman Robb, Ann Rayner and Ronald Cramond, Aberdeen to Spitsbergen voyage
“Deepest thanks for all your kindness and help before departure and to lovely staff on board.”
Alison Lambie, St Kilda, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen (Plancius)
“Weather – very good. Scenery – spectacular. Wildlife sightings – excellent. Boat – extremely comfortable. Expedition staff – mostly extremely good. Atmosphere – friendly and convivial on the whole. The result was one of the more memorable and enjoyable holidays we have ever had.”
Mr and Mrs John Nugée, North Rona, Faroes, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen (Plancius)