Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow

Tour begins 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Glasgow International Airport to Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow or voco Grand Hotel Glasgow, each centrally located near must-see sights. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the voco Grand Hotel Glasgow.    

A tour of city sights includes George's Square, Buchanan Street, and Princes Square. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of the city's most popular attractions, featuring a wide-ranging collection of art and artifacts of cultural history, ancient history, natural history, and more; you'll also visit Glasgow Cathedral and the Glasgow Necropolis. Drive to Greenock and embark your ship, your home for the next seven nights. Tonight you sail for the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides.

Sail to the Isle of Mull, a popular destination for naturalists and photographers in search of Britain's more elusive birds and wildlife. Anchor in Tobermory on a morning arrival for a choice of excursions. Drive along the scenic coastline to Duart Castle, a medieval landmark on the sea cliffs, home of the Maclean Clan – restored in the 20th century – a rare opportunity to visit a clan seat that is still owned by its members; or enjoy a short but scenic drive to Aros Park* for a guided nature hike. This evening, join us aboard ship for the Captain's welcome reception followed by dinner as you sail for the Isle of Skye.

Known in Gaelic as "Isle of Mist," Skye is steeped in Celtic and Norse legend, a land of faerie glens, storybook mountains, and otherworldly landscapes that seem to spring from Tolkien's Middle Earth. At Portree, a fishing town in a harbor sheltered by cliffs, take your choice of shore excursions. Take a cruise around Portree Bay and the Sound of Raasay on a wildlife safari which may include seals, otters, dolphins, and sea eagles along with enchanting coastal views. Alternatively, travel to Kintail where iconic Eilean Donan Castle stands on a small tidal island; destroyed in 1719 and restored in 1932, it is the most photographed castle in Scotland, and you can explore it while learning its turbulent history. Your third choice is a visit to medieval Dunvegan Castle, the seat of the MacLeod Clan, rising four stories high on a promontory overlooking Loch Dunvegan and the sea. The fourth choice takes you on a guided tour of a working Croft. Late afternoon, a professional photographer will give a presentation of his works and discuss photography on the Scottish Isles. Set sail this evening for the Isle of Lewis. 

The Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides offers a dreamlike landscape of windy rolling hills, moors, vivid colors, and dramatic, rugged shores. Dock in the town of Stornoway, founded by Vikings in the 9th century, and take your choice of excursions. Set off on a sea safari* to view marine life and some of the most magnificent coastline in Scotland; the coastal waters warmed by the Gulf Stream are known to draw porpoises, grey and common seals, basking sharks, and seabirds including puffins, gannets, fulmars, shearwaters, and petrels. Alternatively, explore the Victorian-era Lews Castle; or take a panoramic coach excursion that includes the Standing Stones of Callanish, Dun Carloway Broch, one of the best-preserved stone-built circular constructions, and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village situated in a beautiful secluded bay. Spend some time at leisure in Stornoway; your ship sails for the Orkney Islands this evening.

The Orkney Archipelago belonged to Norway until 1468 when the king of Norway gave them to the king of Scotland as collateral for a loan. When Norway tried to repay the loan, Scotland wouldn't give the islands back... Arrive in Kirkwall, once a medieval Norwegian port, now the largest town on the Orkney Mainland, where you have a choice of shore excursions. Take a walk along the cliff tops of Orkney's rural east mainland, rewarded with stunning views over Mull Head. Alternatively, explore the four monuments that make up the heart of Neolithic Orkney as well as a visit to the best-preserved Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae. Join us for a lecture aboard ship, featuring a local historian and storyteller well-versed in local myths and legends. 

The Shetland Islands are an archipelago of more than a hundred windswept islands, of which only 16 are inhabited; the rest are havens for wildlife. Towns and villages are few, but there are thousands of archaeological sites throughout the islands, including the remains of prehistoric fortresses and settlements. Arrive dockside at Lerwick on the largest island, where you have a choice of shore excursions. Drive to the southern tip of mainland Shetland to visit the uninhabited island of Mousa*, site of a 2,000-year-old broch (round stone tower), 43 feet high, the best preserved in the world; explore its beehive-like chambers and climb the internal staircase to the top for panoramic views; cross to Shetland's east coast for a view of St. Ninian's Isle, where a cache of Pictish treasure was discovered in the 1950s (the Picti were tribes known to the Romans as "painted people".); venture into the Shetland countryside for a visit to a croft for an authentic crofting experience with a local crofter and his sheep dogs, watching as they execute precision herding maneuvers - without a single word; visit Jarlshof near Sumburgh Head to see a 5,000-year-old settlement with remains dating from the Stone Age to the 17th century AD, a microcosm of Shetland history; then ride to the top of Sumburgh Head for views of the sea, seabird colonies, and Shetland's first lighthouse, built in 1821 by Robert Stevenson (grandfather of the writer Robert Louis Stevenson); lighthouses were the family business, and there are Stevenson lighthouses all over the Highlands. Alternatively, depart Lerwick and head west to the picturesque harbour village of Hamnavoe on the isle of Burra. After a brief photo stop, continue North towards Girlsta, through the Tingwall Valley with its Norse Heritage before arriving at the "Keolka" croft - a beautiful Shetland croft nestled within the rugged heather hills, with stunning views across the water. Here, enjoy an authentic crofting experience, as well as a chance to meet a local crofter and his sheep dogs. Your third choice is a visit to Mousa Broch, then exploring its island, a breeding ground for European storm petrels, arctic terns and guillemots; a 2-mile walk includes a visit to a seal pool, and sweeping views of wildflowers and the North Sea. Or, head to the west mainland for a visit to Scalloway, its 17th-century castle, and the Scalloway Museum; learn about the village's clandestine role in World War II, and visit a farm that breeds Shetland Ponies. A tour through Lerwick takes you to its lifeboat station, lodberries (waterside houses for unloading ships), the town hall, and the Shetland Museum and Archives, followed by time to explore the town on your own. Aboard ship this evening, a local historian will lecture on the "Shetland Bus," a secret operation during World War II that smuggled agents in and refugees out of occupied Norway at night by way of fishing vessels.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea today cruising to Edinburgh. A full schedule of activities will be offered throughout the day for you to choose from or simply sit back and enjoy a relaxing cruising day.

Under the watch of its lofty clifftop castle, Edinburgh rambles over rocky hills beside the sea, inviting you into its captivating maze of crooked medieval streets, cozy passages, avenues, shops, pubs, townhouses, and monumental palaces. Disembark and tour the iconic Edinburgh Castle, standing on a crag of volcanic rock above the city skyline; over one thousand years of turbulent history have played out within its venerated halls, gates, courtyards, and battlements. Then enjoy a guided walk along the Royal Mile, the cobbled main street lined with shops, pubs, museums, and intriguing alleyways called "closes" and "wynds," as well as churches, law courts, the Parliament house and St. Giles Cathedral.

Begin the day with a visit to Holyroodhouse, the King's official residence in Scotland where you'll explore the magnificent state apartments, the royal gardens, and the royal art collection. A guided walking tour introduces you to more Edinburgh city sights, including medieval Old Town with its enticing nooks and crannies; stately New Town with its wide streets and Georgian townhouses; the Royal Botanic Garden; see Robert Louis Stevenson's birthplace; Charlotte Square with its gracious Victorian mansions and park; Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare; and Inverleith Terrace, one of the city's most exclusive residential neighborhoods. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Join us tonight for a farewell reception and dinner at The Royal Yacht Britannia.

Tour ends: Edinburgh, Scotland.  Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel or the InterContinental Edinburgh The George Hotel to Edinburgh Airport or the Edinburgh Waverley train station. Allow three hours for flight check-in.