Scottish Isles: Historic Trails & Wilderness

Welcome to Dublin, a small capital with a huge reputation. This ancient city has a vibrant culture and music in its soul, and is peppered with stunning architecture, lush green spaces and welcoming pubs. Upon boarding Scenic Eclipse this afternoon, you’ll be warmly greeted by the expert crew. Ask your butler to bring a glass of Champagne to your suite and toast the start of your journey from your private verandah. Then, join your fellow guests on the Sky Deck and admire the lights of Ireland’s capital’s as we set off into the Irish Sea. Please book your flight to arrive into Dublin prior to 02:00 PM.

The capital of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, Portrush is set on a mile-long peninsula with some of Ireland’s best beaches on either side. Vibrant blue water and golden sands have made this a popular seaside destination since Victorian times and you can stroll past the historic buildings, arcades and amusement parks of its heyday. In the summer months, the town swells with tourists and university students, but still retains its cosy charm. One of Ireland’s most famous natural attractions, the dramatic Giant’s Causeway, is a short distance away along the coast. Freechoice: Spectacular Giants Causeway: Visit Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO Site. To stroll the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time, marvelling at 40,000 basalt stones dating back millions of years. Bushmills Distillery: Granted its license in 1608, Old Bushmills Distillery is the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Enjoy a guided tour, learn the whiskey’s secrets and taste the final product. Derrys Past & Present tour: Explore Derry, Ireland’s only remaining walled city. Admire historic architecture, visit the museum and be welcomed to Guildhall by the Lord Mayor.

The gateway to the Hebrides, Oban is an elegant seaside town surrounded by dramatic coast and glorious green countryside. With pretty Victorian buildings lining the harbour and colourful fishing boats bobbing at anchor, it’s overflowing with charm. Learn the tumultuous history of the ancient Scottish Clans or sample local whiskey at Oban Distillery, which dates back to 1794 and is older than the town itself. Freechoice: Arduaine Gardens: Visit the beautiful National Trust for Scotland Gardens of Arduaine, where a unique micro-climate creates rare delights including a wonderful collection of rhododendrons. Walking Tour: Set out on foot for a guided tour of Oban. Walk up the steep hill to McCaig’s Tower for sweeping views, visit grand St Columba’s Cathedral and explore the bustling town at your leisure. Inveraray Castle: Take a scenic drive to Inveraray and visit its imposing castle. Set on 16 acres of parkland, this 18th century edifice combines Baroque, Palladian and Gothic architecture.

Tucked at the end of a long loch on the west coast of Scotland, Fort William is known for its sandy beaches, dramatic hills, ancient castles and whiskey distilleries, and as the location for many iconic film shoots. Breathe the fresh air and be amazed at the magnificent mountains that have made this small town the ‘outdoor capital of the UK’. Tonight, we’ll be cruising through the Sound of Mull, a beautiful stretch of water between the Hebrides and the mainland. Take advantage of the late sunset to admire it from your private verandah, or head to the Observation Terrace and look for seals, otters and porpoises playing in the waves. Freechoice: High in the Nevis Range: Take a coach the Nevis Range and ride the gondola up Aonach Mor. Enjoy easy guided walks, admire the scenery and wildlife, and see Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK. Glorious Glenfinnan, Historic Highlands & Dram: A guided tour of the highlights of the Highlands, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Caledonian Canal and Ben Nevis Distillery. Majestic Glencoe & Highland Panoramas: Discover iconic highland landscapes, including the peaks of Glencoe and Rannoch Moor, one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Europe.

Today you can stroll through the Isle of Skye’s colourful capital, Portree, at your own pace, visiting local craftspeople and cafes. The ancestral stronghold of the famed Clan MacLeod, the beautiful Isle of Raasay sits just offshore and boasts the extinct volcano of Mt Dun Caan, which rises 443 metres high. Freechoice: Loch Portree Hike: Join your guide for a circuit of the north side of Portree Bay then climb a steep zig-zag path for stunning views, finishing with refreshments at the Cuillin Hills Hotel. Dunvegan Castle & The Cuillin: Visit the west coast of Skye and Dunvegan Castle, a Hebridean stronghold filled with priceless heirlooms from the Chiefs of MacLeod. Northern Scenic Drive: Explore the north of the island, learning its fascinating history, geography and legends. See tumbling waterfalls, historic crofting towns and the Skye Museum of Island Life. Eilean Donan: Visit Eilean Donan, a 13th century castle that’s featured in many films. Learn the rich history of the castle and its clansmen while admiring the stunning views. Enrich Ceilidh in Portree: Enjoy an evening immersed in the Portree community. Get to know your hosts, raise a toast to this memorable day and watch Highland Dancers performed with a traditional ceilidh band.

Sailing west, today we make our way to the Outer Hebrides (also known as the Western Isles), a chain that stretches for more than 200 kilometres and faces out into the open Atlantic Ocean. Scenic Eclipse will dock at the isolated archipelago of St Kilda, one of Scotland’s most extreme outposts and a World Heritage Site. See the derelict crofts that bear testament to the fortitude of islanders who once dried seabirds for winter food. The isles also hold Europe’s most important seabird colony and is home to Britain’s highest sea stacks, rock columns rising almost 200 metres from the water.

Stromness is the second-largest town in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. It’s full of character, with winding streets stretching from the shoreline up the hillside, quaint alleyways waiting to be explored, and a landscape shaped by the sea. Stroll through the township to find the hidden gems, such as the finest crafts, textiles and jewellery in the small local shops. This long established seaport has attracted sailors for centuries, from Vikings to Captain Cook himself. Freechoice: Orkney Treasures: Discover the highlights of the island, from the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae to magnificent Skaill House, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. Sites of the South Isles with St Magnus Cathedral: Explore the WWII history of the South Isles, hear the legend behind St Magaret’s village and marvel at the Viking-built St Magnus Cathedral. Wartime Legacy: Visit the South Isles and uncover their fascinating WWII history, including the Churchill Barriers, a chapel built by Italian prisoners and a defensive Battery.

Set neatly between the mountains and the sea on the east coast, Aberdeen is an ancient settlement dating back to the Stone Age. Today, it’s Scotland’s third-largest centre and has the nickname Granite City, with many buildings built from the distinctive grey stone. Scenic Eclipse will dock right in the heart of the city, where you can admire the architecturally distinctive harbour and see the sparkling granite buildings and monuments shimmering in the sunlight. Listen out for the warm tones of the Scottish dialect Doric, which is native to the area. Freechoice: Crathes Castle & Aberdeen Highlights: Visit Crathes Castle, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Scotland, and explore its glorious walled garden. Aberdeenshire Highland Cattle: Get up close to the native Highland Cow at Aberdeenshire Highland Cattle Ltd. Meet the owner, learn how they are raised and taste the delicious beef. Glen Garioch Distillery & Granite City: Travel to the most easterly whisky distillery in the world, Glen Garioch, for a tour and tasting of their award-winning single malt. Finish with a tour of Aberdeen. Aberdeen Highlights Panorama: Enjoy a panoramic tour of ‘The Granite City’ and its most famous landmarks including Duthie Park, Kings College Chapel and St Machar Cathedral.

Your cruise ends today in Edinburgh, the compact capital of Scotland. Spread out under the gaze of its ancient castle, the city is an inspiring blend of history, culture and nature. It’s said to have more pubs per capita than anywhere else in the UK, so you may want to join the locals for a pint. Disembark after breakfast, bidding farewell to your fellow shipmates and crew, taking with you memories of a truly unforgettable cruise. Please book your flight to depart out of Edinburgh after 12:00 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.