It was a sunny and sizzling 30°C after I hopped off the airplane in Glasgow. I hadn’t packed for this. Scotland will not be meant to be this toasty.
My first journey again to Europe from New Zealand because the pandemic was lengthy however price it. I can’t imagine I used to fly this route on a regular basis with out batting an eye fixed!
With winter behind me and my ft itching to embark on this new journey, I shortly acquired over my jetlag earlier than boarding the Ocean Endeavour – my new house for the subsequent few months. My dream of working on expedition ships was lastly taking place with Adventure Canada for the northern summer time. I might be engaged on seven journeys with them, journeying from Scotland to the Faroe Islands, Iceland to Greenland, and throughout Arctic Canada.
Let’s go, guys!
The primary port of name for me was Glasgow, the place I might hop onboard for his or her iconic Scotland Slowly expedition. We might spend the subsequent 11 days crusing round Scotland’s northern and outer islands, ending in Aberdeen.
I haven’t been to Scotland since 2008, after I was learning overseas in Spain. My greatest buddy was learning in Edinburgh on the similar time, so I visited her for an extended weekend. I solely keep in mind the pubs.
Time for a revisit!
The Shetlands, Orkneys, and the Hebrides are a few of Scotland’s most stunning and distant locations, greatest skilled by boat. Touring to those wild islands by boat was an unbelievable option to expertise Scotland over 11 days.
Of all their unbelievable journeys, the Scotland one is usually the most well-liked. I’ve thought lots about this; curious as to why Scotland trumps polar bears and icebergs the scale of cities; it comes all the way down to coronary heart, I feel. Additionally, Journey Canada solely visits Scotland each different 12 months.
Many individuals onboard have Scottish ancestry, and plenty of Scots who left got here from these northern locations and distant islands. Additionally, this journey takes you to locations that aren’t precisely simple or fast to go to by yourself. To get to those Scottish Isles requires flights and ferries repeatedly. Isn’t it less expensive and less complicated to go by ship? It’s.
I’ve a lot extra to share from my adventures across the Scottish Isles, however to start, listed below are 30 of my favourite pictures from the journey. Get pleasure from!
Islay and Bowmore
Islay was the primary place we known as into after departing Glasgow on the Scotland Slowly journey with Journey Canada. Pronounced “eye-lah.” Often called the Queen of the Hebrides, Islay is the southernmost island within the Inside Hebrides. The Hebrides are an archipelago off the west coast of the Scottish mainland: Inside and Outer.
I’m going to be trustworthy right here; I hadn’t heard of the Hebrides within the Scottish Isles earlier than this journey. Or if I had, it had lengthy been forgotten.
Dwelling to stunning coastlines, nice seafood, thriving textiles, and many wildlife, Islay is known for one factor about all: whisky. Dwelling to 9 iconic distilleries, the long-lasting peaty, smokey style makes Islay world-famous. The nostalgic salty seaside air mixed with the peat bogs crafts a taste not like wherever else.
Bowmore is the principle hub of Islay, with lots to see and do. With one of many few spherical church buildings on this planet, nice distilleries, and fab purchasing, it was simple to spend a day right here.
Staffa
Staffa is a distant uninhabited island within the Hebrides that has turn out to be iconic for its unbelievable rock formations, basalt columns, and caves. For those who’ve been to the Big’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, it’s the identical.
Well-known naturalist and botanist, Sir Joseph Banks wrote about Staffa after visiting on his option to Iceland. Banks is a determine I do know properly since he was the botanist onboard Captain Prepare dinner’s first journey to New Zealand and since he turned Kew Gardens into the main botanical backyard on this planet (good day, fellow houseplant fams). He renamed the principle sea cavern Fingal’s Cave, resulting in Staffa turning into more and more well-known. Mendelssohn even featured it in his Hebrides Overture after visiting within the early nineteenth century.
We hopped within the zodiacs from the ship close to Staffa and went on our personal little tour across the island. It was wild and delightful, and we noticed many seabirds, together with shags, razorbills, and ALL THE PUFFINS.
Isle of Iona
As a large nerd with a medieval historical past diploma, visiting Iona was a giant deal. Whereas Iona is a small island, it was the beating coronary heart of Gaelic monasticism for hundreds of years. The Iona Abbey is world-famous, based by Irish St. Columba, and was the middle of Christianity, spreading by way of Scotland within the sixth century. I’m not spiritual or something, however for those who’re within the Darkish Ages in Britain, it’s the core theme.
Iona is tiny however mighty, clocking in at solely three miles lengthy. With sandy blue seashores, stunning views, and quite a lot of epic historical past makes for an important journey.
It helped that it was sizzling and sunny for many of the go to, so heat that folks went swimming.
The Isle of Skye
If I needed to hanker a guess, I’d say that Skye is essentially the most iconic of all the Scottish Isles, no less than for my fellow millennials. What’s up, Instagrammers!
Skye is thought for its rugged landscapes and superb views and for being plastered throughout Instagram lately. It was overcast and nonetheless after we landed at Skye. It was one of many solely days it rained whereas we had been at sea, and even then, it was only a sprinkle. Massive gloomy clouds made the spikey inexperienced mountain pop in shade much more. How is it this inexperienced?
The moody skies someway made the day much more stunning. I like experiencing locations within the rain.
Isle of Lewis and Harris and Stornoway
One other of the long-lasting Scottish Isles that hadn’t been on my radar was Lewis and Harris. It was my favourite day of the entire journey. What a shock. The Isle of Lewis and Harris is a part of the Outer Hebrides, and whereas it feels like two distinct islands, it’s really only one island known as Lewis and Harris. The northern two-thirds is Lewis, and the southern third is Harris. And sure, it’s house to the long-lasting Harris Tweed.
On days like this, we regularly have cut up days on board. Half the ship will get free time in port; right here it was, Stornoway, the biggest city. After which the opposite half go on totally different excursions. Then we swap midway by way of the day. The ship is small, with lower than 200 passengers on board, so it by no means feels crowded, even in these small cities.
One thing additionally I beloved about Journey Canada was that they actually inspired everybody to spend their {dollars} domestically in all places we visited. As somebody who owns a small retail enterprise in a port city the place cruise ships at all times name in (my store, NODE in Lyttelton), I can say how a lot it means when vacationers cease in and store.
Stornoway was ridiculously charming, the proper dimension city to discover with numerous cute retailers and eateries. Then, afterward, we went out and visited a few of the unbelievable websites across the island – Dun Carloway Broch, the Calanais Standing Stones, and the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village.
The Shetland Islands and Foula
Did somebody say Shetland ponies?!
Visiting Shetland was excessive on my listing of dream locations to go to in Scotland, and I used to be so stoked after we lastly arrived. Since we had been on an expedition ship, the primary place we known as in was Foula. Not a simple place to get to, Foula is essentially the most remotely inhabited island within the UK: inhabitants 30. Pony inhabitants: heaps.
Twenty miles from the mainland, Foula is house to many seabirds and large seacliffs. It’s a ravishing and wild place, with massive open landscapes sprawling throughout the peat moors. It was considered one of my favourite stops on the journey, particularly attending to spend time with the pleasant ponies.
Truthful Isle in Shetland
One other unbelievable and distant island is Truthful Isle. This Scottish Isle sits midway between Shetland and Orkney. The Nationwide Belief of Scotland has owned Truthful Isle since 1954.
Solely about 60 individuals name Truthful Isle house. The primary drawcard is that it’s a vital breeding website for our most beloved seabirds. Chook nerds unite!
We spent hours in zodiacs cruising alongside the seacliffs of Truthful Isle, marveling on the sheer variety of birds whereas equally praying to not get shat on. It was price it! Puffins!
The Orkney Islands and Kirkwall
A few of the greatest prehistoric websites in Europe could be discovered on Orkney. It was additionally one other considered one of my favourite spots to go to. I used to be fortunate to go to twice: on the Scotland Slowly journey and once more on the North Atlantic Saga.
Orkney felt particular. You may inform persons are proud to be from right here, and there’s usually speak about Orkney’s independence, with it being so totally different from the remainder of Scotland and the UK. As an American, I’ll at all times help the underdog.
We had heaps of time in Kirkwall, the principle city, and explored iconic websites like Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. The Orkney Islands sit excessive in my reminiscences of beloved experiences in Scotland. I can’t wait to return once more sooner or later!
Have you ever been to any of those Scottish Isles? Are they locations you’re eager to go to by ship? Share!
Many because of Journey Canada for internet hosting me in Scotland – like at all times, I’m preserving it actual – all opinions are my very own like you can anticipate much less from me!
