Expedition Through the Scottish Isles: Where Land Meets Legend
10 days, Edinburgh to Greenock
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Edinburgh/Leith
Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Leith in the late afternoon. Arrival transfer included.
Please make sure you drop your checked luggage off at the meeting point between 9am - 12pm. A local representative will be in the luggage storage room. They can provide general information about the town or your embarkation process.
All passengers will be transferred to the ship as a group for embarkation at 4pm. Please ensure that for embarkation you have your passport accessible (not in your luggage which is being transferred separately to the ship).
Please ensure your flight arrives by 11am at the latest in order to be on time for today's 4pm embarkation.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Embarkation of the Expedition
In the afternoon, join your fellow passengers to take your group transfer and begin your journey on the Expedition. Please refer to your welcome letter or the joining instructions posted in the lobby of the start hotel. Make sure you have your passport handy as you are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 2Leith to Kirkwall/Orkney Islands
Sail north to the Orkney Islands, known for their unique blend of rich history, gorgeous natural landscapes, and some of the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe. Stop to visit Kirkwall, the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ where a group of 5,000-year-old sites reside. Enjoy time to explore here and perhaps see Skara Brae. Make sure to also search for a diverse array of wildlife.
Zodiac Excursion
Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 3–6Shetland & Orkney Islands
Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals.
Zodiac Excursion
Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Orkney Islands/Thurso
Search the dramatic cliffs at Duncansby Head and Dunnet Head for puffins, fulmars, and Guillemot. Visit Thurso today, the northernmost town on the mainland of Scotland. During your stop here, there are plenty of options to choose from including, the Caithness Horizons Museum, the Wolfburn Distillery, and the ruins of Thurso Castle. Enjoy the charm of this town surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Zodiac Excursion
Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Thurso/St. Kilda Archipelago
The ship will sail to the tallest sea stack in Britain, known as Stac Lee, part of the St Kilda archipelago. Home to northern gannets and other bird species. Then, continue along the coast to Hirta, the largest and most hospitable island of the St Kilda archipelago. You’ll stop here briefly for a chance to view puffin colonies in the wild.
Zodiac Excursion
Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 9St. Kilda Archipelago/Hebrides
Sail to the Isle of Lunga, which is part of the Treshnish Isles and known for its diverse wildlife, especially its large breeding colony of puffins. The landscape offers a rugged and wild experience with no man-made facilities. The perfect destination for an immersion into nature. Half the group will start with the zodiac cruise near the cliffs and the other will walk up the hillside to where the puffins are, then the groups will switch. Then, travel to the Isle of Iona, known as the “cradle of Christianity” home to the famous Iona Abbey, and an ideal place to learn more about Scotland’s rich history. Visit the Abbey on a guided tour and see for yourself.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Zodiac Excursion
Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Glasgow/Greenock
Shortly after breakfast, disembark at the Port of Greenock. From here, you will need to transfer to Glasgow Airport for your departing flight.
For guests departing on disembarkation day, G Adventures will provide a complimentary transfer at 8:00am to Glasgow International Airport from the port.
For guests who are planning on staying in Glasgow post trip, taxis will be available for hire at the port to transfer them to their accommodations.
All transfer arrangements will be confirmed while on board prior to departure, to ensure that all needs are met.
Please do not book onward travel prior to 12:00pm.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.