Scenic British Isles & Summer Wildlife

Home of the famous White Cliffs, Dover is one of England's most iconic towns. Located on the south-east coast of England just 21 miles across the English Channel from France, Dover – home of the world's busiest passenger port – is the first sight for many visitors arriving from around the world.

This historic town is much more than a gateway to Britain, and offers much to discover, including the 12th century Dover Castle – which overlooks the pretty harbour and houses the extensive Secret Wartime Tunnels – Archcliffe Fort, and the Western Heights, where a series of coastal defences and unspoilt nature reserves await exploration.

Duncansby Head represents the most north-easterly point on the British mainland, its red sandstone cliffs lying a mile or two beyond the famous village of John o’ Groats. Just to the south are two striking, sharp-pointed sea stacks that rise out of the North Sea with more than an air of symmetry.[ReadMoreMob]

A little further along the coastline is the Geo of Sclaites, a large cleft eroded into the cliffs, which is home to a large seabird colony.  Fulmars, kittiwakes, puffins, guillemots, wheatears and skuas are some of the most common feathered visitors to the area.

Britain’s tallest and arguably most famous sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy rises 450 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of Hoy Island, in Scotland’s rugged Orkney archipelago.

Originally an arch with two ‘legs’ resembling those of an old man, hence the landmark’s nickname, the erosive power of the weather has reduced the stack to a single pillar which, owing to a huge crack slicing through the middle of it, geologists believe will one day collapse into the sea.

As it stands today though, defiantly battling the Atlantic tide and Scottish storms, the Old Man of Hoy remains one of the UK’s most popular climbing spots and an impressive sight to enjoy from the comfort of your cruise ship.  

Scotland’s rugged north coast is dotted with islands, lochs and estuaries, as well as dramatic hills and secluded beaches, making it one of the most stunning areas of the country.[ReadMoreMob] On the western side of the north coast is Loch Eriboll, a 10-mile long sea loch which is one of the deepest in the country.

The small village of Eriboll, which gave the loch its name, sits on the eastern shore of the loch, while the western side is home to small townships including Portnancon and Laid. Around halfway down the loch is Ard Neakie, a small area of land connected to the eastern shore of Loch Eriboll by a narrow stretch of sand. Ard Neakie was once the site of a limestone quarry with four lime kilns, The famous Route 500 road passes by the end of the loch, which starts and finishes in Inverness, taking in some of the coast’s most scenic areas.

Loch Broom is lined by stunning lush-green landscapes and is a showcase of this breathtaking, unspoilt part of the world.

A scenic cruise is the best way to appreciate the outstanding natural beauty of the Loch, so have your camera to hand as you glide along the beautifully still waters past incredible landmarks including the 2,438ft-high Ben Mor Coigach mountain and the 2,083ft-high Beinn Ghobhlach Marilyn.

The charming town of Ullapool is situated on the eastern shore of Loch Broom.

The imposing red sandstone cliffs of Marwick Head, on the rugged northwest coast of the Orkneys’ main island, are – according to the RSPB – a ‘seabird city’, home to one of the largest cliff-nesting seabird colonies in Scotland.

Up to 25,000 birds perch along the flower-carpeted cliff edges here in the summer months, and as you sail slowly by it’s possible you’ll see various species through your binoculars, including Puffins, Fulmars, Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes to name just a few. You might be even be lucky enough to spot Arctic Skuas and Red-throated Divers.

Look out for the Kitchener Memorial too. This lonely crenelated tower stands atop the cliffs of Marwick Head, and was built in dedication of Lord Kitchener, who was killed when H.M.S. Hampshire sunk off the coast here in June 1916.  

Located at the southern tip of the Shetlands’ main island, Sumburgh Head is a towering, 100-metre-high rock spur capped by the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse – one of Scotland’s oldest, best-known and most photographed lighthouses.

The head, and its unspoilt, rugged surroundings, are a designated RSPB Nature Reserve, providing the perfect natural habitat for various seabird species including Puffins, Fulmars, Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes to name just a few.

Enjoy views of the lighthouse as you sail slowly by, watch for huge seabird colonies perched on the cliffs through your binoculars, and be sure to keep your eyes on the water: you might be lucky enough to see White-sided dolphins, Harbour Porpoises and Whales too.  

Just three miles long by one and a half miles wide, Fair Isle is the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom, lying around halfway between Orkney and Shetland (it is administratively part of Shetland). [ReadMoreMob]It’s both an important breeding ground for seabirds and a stopping point for migrant species. Guillemots, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, starlings and kittiwakes are among the most common species to look out for.

Under ownership of the National Trust of Scotland since 1954, Fair Isle is one of the 31 sea areas featured in the Shipping Forecast and is famed for its sheep, wild flowers and multi-coloured knitwear, which developed in the early 19^th century. There are still small numbers of garments produced by the island’s permanent population of 60 people today.

Home of the famous White Cliffs, Dover is one of England's most iconic towns. Located on the south-east coast of England just 21 miles across the English Channel from France, Dover – home of the world's busiest passenger port – is the first sight for many visitors arriving from around the world.

This historic town is much more than a gateway to Britain, and offers much to discover, including the 12th century Dover Castle – which overlooks the pretty harbour and houses the extensive Secret Wartime Tunnels – Archcliffe Fort, and the Western Heights, where a series of coastal defences and unspoilt nature reserves await exploration.