Coastal & Cultural Scottish Isles

With dramatic cliffs topped by lush green landscapes that stretch inland, Troup Head is part of Moray Firth’s unspoilt, wild and rugged coastline, dotted with hidden caves and arches. As you cruise slowly past, you will be able to see that the cliffs, rock faces, and marshes of Troup Head, a designated RSPB Scotland Nature Reserve, are a haven for thousands of seabirds, such as kittiwakes, guillemots, and razorbills, and are also home to Scotland’s only mainland gannet colony. During the summer months, you may also be able to spot bottle-nosed dolphins, porpoises, and cetaceans in the clear waters of Moray Firth from the decks of your ship.

The friendly capital of the Shetland Islands, Lerwick is a bustling seaport with a wonderful natural harbour, which is ideal for exploring on foot. There will be opportunities to visit nearby Sumburgh Head, where colonies of various birdlife, including guillemots, shags, and fulmars, congregate on its steep cliffsides; and during the summer months you are ideally placed to see orcas hunting seals close to the shore or a school of white-sided dolphins. Alternatively, you can spend time with local fishermen to discover the importance of Shetland’s fishing industry or wander along the foreshore to explore the Lodberries, trading booths built in the 19^th century, and learn about their maritime history.

A thriving town with a busy fishing port, Stornoway is a delight to explore and offers opportunities for discovering Lews Castle, home to a museum and cultural centre telling the story of the Hebrides, or simply wandering through its garden pathways, hills, and carriage trails. In August, a stroll through the town’s centre offers chances to try freshly caught seafood like lobster, scallops, and salmon, accompanied by locally distilled Scottish whisky, and listen to foot-tapping music from nearby pubs. Meanwhile, there will be opportunities to venture further afield to witness the striking Callanish Standing Stones.

One of Scotland's most striking coastal vistas can be seen while cruising past Duncansby Sea Stacks. Centuries of erosion have sculpted towering sea stacks that soar magnificently from the North Sea, and a vivid symphony of sights and sounds is produced by seabirds such as razorbills, guillemots, and puffins using these remarkable rocks as nesting grounds. From the decks of your ship, there will be opportunities for you to witness seals sunning themselves on nearby rocks, adding to the area's abundant wildlife display. For both nature lovers and photographers, the untamed splendour of Duncansby Sea Stacks, set against the backdrop of Scotland’s northern shoreline in summer, makes for an unforgettable experience.