Itinerary
- Day 1
Glasgow
You'll arrive in Glasgow and have time to walk through the city's Art Nouveau architecture before heading to Greenock to board MS Spitsbergen. Once onboard, you'll meet the expedition team and get settled into your cabin. After that, you'll have your first dinner while the ship sets sail into the waters ahead.
- Meals
- Dinner (First onboard dinner)
Included Activities
- Explore Art Nouveau architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh
- Embark on MS Spitsbergen expedition cruise
- Meet the Expedition Team
Optional Activities
- Discover Glasgow museums and galleries
- Explore Glasgow parks
Landmarks/POIs Charles Rennie Mackintosh Architecture - Day 2
Isle of Arran
The day takes you to the Isle of Arran where you can see heather-covered landscapes and dramatic peaks. You'll visit Brodick Castle with its woodland gardens, then check out Machrie Moor Stone Circle to see Neolithic remains. Later, head to the Isle of Arran Distillery for a whisky tasting before the day wraps up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Wildlife spotting on Arran (Golden Eagle, red deer, red squirrel, otter, harbour seal)
- Hike with views of Goat Fell
- Explore Brodick Castle woodland and gardens
- Visit Machrie Moor Stone Circle
- Tasting at Isle of Arran Distillery
Landmarks/POIs Goat Fell Brodick Castle Machrie Moor Stone Circle Isle of Arran Distillery - Day 3
Islay
You arrive on Islay, known for its peaty single malt whiskies and rich wildlife. Port Ellen serves as your entry point to visit three of the island's distilleries like Laphroaig and Ardbeg. From the sandy beaches you can spot over 200 bird species, and if you're lucky, you might see dolphins or basking sharks in the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Laphroaig distillery
- Visit Ardbeg distillery
- Wildlife spotting (200+ bird species, dolphins, basking sharks)
- Explore Port Ellen
Optional Activities
- Visit other distilleries on Islay
Landmarks/POIs Laphroaig Distillery Ardbeg Distillery - Day 4
Gigha
This morning takes you to tiny Gigha, a community-owned island with white sand and quiet charm. You'll explore Achamore House's woodland gardens filled with colorful rhododendrons. Later, walk or bike to white sandy coves, and don't miss trying local seafood like Gigha halibut and oysters for lunch or dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Achamore House woodland gardens
- Explore white sandy coves and turquoise waters
- Visit Bàgh Rubha Ruaidh beach
- Visit Bàgh na Dòirlinne beach
Optional Activities
- Hire a bike to explore the island
- Try local seafood (Gigha halibut and oysters)
Landmarks/POIs Achamore House - Day 5
Iona and Staffa
You'll travel to Iona to see the restored 6th century abbey, a major Christian pilgrimage site in Scotland. Alternatively, hike up to Dùn I for views across St Columba's Bay. Then sail to the Treshnish Isles where you can see Atlantic puffins and grey seals, and take in Fingal's Cave with its hexagonal basalt columns and colored waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Iona Abbey (6th century)
- Hike to Dùn I for views of St Columba's Bay
- Visit Well of Eternal Youth
- Sail to Treshnish Isles
- Wildlife spotting (Atlantic Puffins, razorbills, grey seals)
- Visit Fingal's Cave
Landmarks/POIs Iona Abbey Dùn I St Columba's Bay Fingal's Cave Treshnish Isles - Day 6
Vatersay and Mingulay
You head to the southernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides and land on Vatersay's white sand beaches at the start of the Hebridean Way. From there, sail south to remote Mingulay, abandoned about a century ago but now home to huge bird colonies including puffins on the towering Carnan Cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nature landing on Vatersay white sand beaches
- Explore Vatersay history and beauty
- Visit Mingulay
- Wildlife spotting on Carnan Cliffs (puffins, guillemots, fulmars, kittiwakes)
- Expedition boat tour around Mingulay (weather permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Vatersay Hebridean Way Mingulay Carnan Cliffs - Day 7
Isle of Lewis and Harris
You arrive at Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis and Harris, home of the famous Harris Tweed cloth. Walk through Gothic-style Lews Castle and its trails, then see Scotland's Stonehenge at the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones. Later, cruise the wild Shiant Isles to spot shags, eiders, fulmars and great skuas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Lews Castle
- Explore Lews Castle trails
- Visit Callanish Standing Stones
- Visit Dùn Carloway (Iron Age broch)
- Cruise Shiant Isles
- Wildlife spotting (European Shags, Common Eiders, Northern Fulmars, Great Skuas)
Optional Activities
- Shop for Harris Tweed cloth
Landmarks/POIs Lews Castle Callanish Standing Stones Dùn Carloway Shiant Isles - Day 8
Skye and Eigg
You sail to Loch Scavaig on Skye and hike around Loch Coruisk with the expedition team, surrounded by the craggy Cuillin Mountains. Then visit the remote Isle of Eigg where you can spot golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and seals. You'll have time to stroll along quartz-sand Laig Bay or hike to the top of An Sgùrr.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike around Loch Coruisk with Expedition Team
- Explore dramatic scenery of Cuillin Mountains
- Visit Isle of Eigg
- Wildlife spotting (Golden Eagles, White-Tailed Eagles, Red Throated Divers, stonechats, seals, dolphins, porpoises)
- Stroll along Laig Bay
- Hike to top of An Sgùrr (optional)
Optional Activities
- Hike to the top of An Sgùrr
Landmarks/POIs Loch Scavaig Loch Coruisk Cuillin Mountains Isle of Eigg Laig Bay An Sgùrr - Day 9
Isle of Mull
You arrive at Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, a small harbor town lined with brightly colored Georgian houses. Check out the Mull Museum to learn local heritage, sample local whisky, and walk around Aros Park. The island has the highest breeding density of golden eagles in Europe, making it great for birding.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mull Museum
- Taste local whisky
- Stroll around Aros Park
- Visit Baliscate Standing Stones
- Wildlife spotting (Golden Eagles, White-tailed Eagles)
- Explore Loch Sunart Marine Protected Area (dolphins, porpoises, otters)
Landmarks/POIs Tobermory Mull Museum Aros Park Baliscate Standing Stones Loch Sunart - Day 10
Isle of Colonsay
Take a coastal walk on the Isle of Colonsay to see views from Kiloran Bay and Plaide Mhòr. You can explore the woodland gardens at Colonsay House or spot diverse birds including choughs, red northern divers, eagles and fulmars. If you're interested, kayak to spot whales, porpoises and dolphins in the surrounding waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coastal walk on Colonsay
- Views from Kiloran Bay
- Views from Plaide Mhòr
- Explore Colonsay House woodland gardens
- Wildlife spotting (choughs, Red Northern Divers, eagles, fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, shags, corncrake)
Optional Activities
- Kayak tour (spot whales, porpoises, dolphins)
Landmarks/POIs Colonsay Kiloran Bay Plaide Mhòr Colonsay House - Day 11
Glasgow
Your Scottish Isles expedition ends as you return to Glasgow. You'll disembark in Greenock and head back to the city, where you can explore Victorian architecture in the west end. Before heading home, take in the views across the Firth of Clyde toward the high hills of Argyll.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Glasgow's Victorian architecture
- Explore Glasgow west end
- View Firth of Clyde and Argyll hills
Landmarks/POIs Firth of Clyde
