The Hebrides are famed all over the world for their precious, hand woven fabrics. This unique tour will give you the opportunity to experience the traditional craft. At Ardalanish Farm & Mill you will gain an insight into the making of this popular cloth, all the way from sheep to shop. From Tobermory, you will board your coach to the typical southern Mull village of Bunessan. From here, head along a narrow and more deserted route towards the remote and spectacularly scenic Ardalanish Bay.  Here you will visit the Isle of Mull Weavers at Ardalanish Farm. Upon arrival, your group will be divided up into smaller groups (depending on numbers) to enjoy the different areas and outbuildings of the farm. In the course of a guided tour of the mill you can admire the old, traditional, Victorian power looms and see how this wonderful, coarse fabric is woven, inch by inch. Transferring to other parts of the farm, you will enjoy a meet-and-greet with the purveyors of the famed Hebridean wool, the black Hebridean sheep. There is also the chance for a photo-shoot with the small herd of shaggy, but majestic Highland Cattle, a popular postcard motif all across Scotland. Finally, you will be treated to island hospitality of tea/coffee and biscuits, followed by free time to stroll to the nearby beach, enjoy the beautiful island scenery or simply browse in the upscale shop for that special souvenir that can last for generations.

Please note:  This tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues and you will be walking on uneven ground, through a pasture and on footpaths that do not accommodate wheelchairs or mobility scooters. There is likely to be Highland cattle along the walking route. Wear comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing and bring currency/credit cards.

Join your expert local guide who specializes in the wildlife of Mull.  Travelling as part of a small group you will have no set route as the wildlife hotspots are dictated by conditions of the day. Your knowledgeable guide will track down as much wildlife as possible during this tour. Mull’s “Big Three” are the golden eagle, white tailed sea eagle and the otter so your guide will be particularly keen to help you spot these.  You may also see Peregrine falcons and perhaps seals and deer! A lunch snack and afternoon tea will be provided for you during your adventure.

Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring rain gear and your camera. Binoculars will be provided if needed.

Depart your ship this morning and take a journey back in time.  Your motor coach will take you on a 75-minute drive to Cawdor Castle; the 14th century home of the Thanes of Cawdor, reputedly Macbeth’s castle and the site of the murder of Duncan. Today it is considered to be one of the Highland’s most romantic stately homes with its fine collection of rare tapestries, portraits, and furniture, and outside its lovely gardens and grounds.  You will tour the beautiful rooms of the castle at your leisure with an audio guide that will be provided on entry. In addition, castle stewards will be on hand to answer any of your questions).  Afterwards head to the famous Battlefield of Culloden for a brief stop where your guide will give you a description of the battle and you will have a chance to take photos. This is the site of the last battle to be fought on British soil, namely the bloody Battle of Culloden in 1746 between Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Duke of Cumberland. The desolate fields where the conflict took place have scarcely changed over the past 250 years.  Following your visit return to your ship in time for lunch. 

 

Please note:  Guests with limited mobility and wheelchairs are not recommended for this tour as there are lots of stairs at the castle including spiral stairs which are unavoidable. A boxed lunch can be taken from the ship if need be. This tour is not refundable 3 days prior to the shore excursion date.

 

 

 

Depart Invergordon today for the drive south to the banks of Loch Ness.  On arrival at Dochgarroch Harbour, embark the charming cruise boat for a short voyage on the Loch that will give you the perfect vantage point for photographing the stunning ruins of Urquhart Castle.  On arrival at the Castle’s jetty, disembark the boat for a tour of Urquhart Castle: a critical strategic stronghold in the highlands, positioned on the banks of Loch Ness, which would have been a main route through the Great Glen of the highlands.  Its checkered history came to a dramatic demise in 1692 when the castle was blown up to stop it falling into Jacobite hands. What remains are picturesque and impressive ruins, surrounded on three sides by the cold deep waters of Loch Ness.  An excellent visitor’s center offers exhibits, a film show, shop and restaurant.  Learn of its dramatic history that dates back in written records to the 6th century, but in archaeology and folklore right back to the time of the Pict. Enjoy exploring at your leisure.

 

Please note: Walking at the castle may be a challenge for those with mobility issues but is purely at the discretion of the individual. This tour is not refundable 8 days prior to the shore excursion date.

 

 

 

Want to get to the heart of Scotland’s history and mystery? Then this tour is for you. A fun filled Highland Adventure, the ‘Monster’ of all trips. Head south of Invergordon today and enjoy a picturesque journey through rolling hills and farmland and learn about the history of the area as your guide shares their experiences of life in the Scottish Highlands. First visit the wonderful 14th century Urquhart Castle, magnificently situated right on the edge of the banks of Loch Ness and one of the most photographed scenes in Scotland. Enjoy free time to explore the ruins and views over Loch Ness. Enjoy a 60-minute cruise on the world-famous loch, this is a unique opportunity to look for the evasive Loch Ness Monster, which has baffled some of the world's most notable researchers for decades. The deep lake, ('loch' in Gaelic), has drawn visitors from all over the world in search of the monster. The loch is 23 miles (about 37 kilometres) long, one mile (1.6 kilometres) wide and 755 feet (230 metres) deep. Disembarking your cruise at Dochgarroch Loch, continue by coach and pass through the city of Inverness for a stop at the stunning Kingsmill Hotel to enjoy lunch and a Scottish dram. Then travel the short distance to reach the famous battlefield of Culloden. During a stop here, see wooden plaques detailing the battle, clan graves and the Well of the Dead, where wounded Highlanders were slain as they drank water to revive themselves. The wonderful new visitor center has a fascinating exhibit which includes a 360-degree immersive cinema experience.  Stepping back further in time, discover one of Scotland’s most evocative prehistoric sites – the exceptional remains of an ancient cemetery, set on a terrace above the River Nairn. The Clava Cairns are about 4,000 years old and were built to house the dead. The standing stones are a huge draw for Outlander fans as the best example in the area. 

 

Please note: Uneven ground at Urquhart Castle with walking up to an hour at both the Castle and Culloden Visitor’s Centre. Clava Cairns is an outdoor attraction with a mix of soft and uneven ground with lots of stones. All other walking is at the visitor’s discretion. Bring local currency if you wish to purchase anything and wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour is not refundable 8 days prior to the shore excursion date.

 

 

 

Your tour starts in the fishing port of Lerwick, founded in the 17th century.  The center is full of character, especially by the water’s edge where the older buildings are situated.  As we drive through the town we will see the Town Hall before turning west to the old town of Scalloway, the original main town and second largest settlement on the island.  En route we will pass Clickimin Broch –a defense tower with surrounding structures dating back 2,000 years. On arrival in Scalloway we will stop to visit the now roofless Castle which was built around 1600 by the tyrant Earl Patrick Stewart.  He used forced labor to build his residence and was executed in Edinburgh in 1615. You will then visit the fascinating local museum, which has a special display devoted to the Shetland Bus, boats which traveled between Shetland and Norway helping the Norwegian Resistance movement during World War II. If you prefer, wander along Scalloway’s Main Street and view the waterfront.  Leaving Scalloway, you will travel through the Tingwall Valley, pausing for a photo stop to view a small herd of Shetland Ponies.This tour also includes a stop at the Shetland Jewellery Workshop, where the group will get a tour of the workshop to see how the pieces are designed and created.
 
Please note: Scalloway Museum is wheelchair accessible, Scalloway Castle is not. Scalloway Castle is situated right next door to the museum, so guests will be able to see it however it is covered in scaffolding for the foreseeable future.

 

 

 

Depart through Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, as you begin your trip to the island’s most southerly point.  En route, you will pass through the rural townships of Fladdabister and, conditions permitting, pause to admire the view of the magnificent Mousa Broch, the tallest and best preserved broch in the world.  You will continue south down the west coast and pass St Ninian’s Isle where the famous Pictish horde of silver dating from the 9th Century was found in 1958. Continue south to visit the remarkable archaeological site of Jarlshof.  The site was uncovered by a violent storm in the winter of 1896/7, revealing an extraordinary settlement site embracing at least 5,000 years of human history.  The site contains a remarkable sequence of stone structures – late Neolithic houses, a Bronze-Age village, an Iron-Age broch and wheelhouses, several Norse longhouse, a medieval farmstead, and the 16th century laird’s house.   Visit the remains of these village settlements with your guide to make the most of your time here. You will then return to Lerwick with your guide telling you more about these islands as we look out for Shetland’s famous ponies on the way back. . 

 

Please note:  Jarlshof is not wheelchair accessible.  Wear comfortable walking shoes.

 

 

 

Your first stop will be in Kollafjørður where you will visit an old Faroese church with a traditional, Faroese turf roof. On our way farther north, we head toward the village of Saksun, tucked away at the end of the road. As you get closer to Saksun, surprising vistas will delight you around each twist in the road. Then, there it is – one of the most distinctive villages in the Faroes. The old farm, Dúvugarðar, is now a national heritage museum, and, together with the outbuildings that belong to the museum, it provides an intimate look into past rural life in the Faroes. The round bay below the farm was at one time a natural harbor.  Today, although sand deposits have made its waters shallow and only accessible to small boats at high tide, it is the centerpiece of a spectacular panorama. You will return to Tórshavn via the mountain road and stop at the viewpoint overlooking the capital.

Please note:  There are 3-4 steps to enter the different venues and a small hill up to the museum in Saksun. 

You will leave Streymoy Island via Kaldbakfjord and the Kollafjørdur Valley, then pass through the new underwater tunnel and, 5 minutes later, arrive on Vagar Island. You will appreciate Vagar's ever-changing scenery and will have time explore its villages. Your guide will tell you about the island, its history and about life here today. Drive through the village of Sandavágur, where you'll visit the Midvágur Church, and pass the largest lake in the Faroe Islands before reaching Vatnsoyrar. In Bøur, you'll discover a little village with both old and new houses with green sod roofs and a charming old tar-blackened church. From there take in the spectacular view of Tindholmur and Mykines Islands beyond. You'll leave Bour through the tunnel to Gasadalur-Vagar's westernmost village, then return to Tórshavn via the mountain road to capture the extraordinary panoramic views out over the fjords and the capital.

Please note:  There are small hills and steps on most of the stops. Wear comfortable walking shoes. 

Ride by coach to the village of Vestmanna. Here, you will board a boat and head out to the famous bird cliffs. All your senses will awaken with the sound of sea birds, the salty scent of the sea and its cool spray on your face, the stunning, weather-beaten cliff formations and the raucous riot of squawking birds who call the sea cliffs home. You'll cruise along the cliff wall, into a narrow gorge where sheer rock walls rise vertically on both sides towards the sky. The boat slowly enters one of the many grottoes, and for a moment, daylight disappears. Darkness and the sound of dripping water surround you and then, suddenly, you emerge on the other side. The boat stops for a while so you can enjoy the scenery. Take photographs to help you remember the details. After the boat trip, return to Tórshavn via the mountain road and stop at the viewpoint looking over the capital.

Please note: There are 4-5 steps to board the boat and the tour travels along a winding scenic mountain road.

From Tórshavn, take a 45-minute drive to the north, past idyllic villages and the old whaling station at Áir. The only bridge over the Atlantic, as it is sometimes called, spans the narrow channel of Sundini to connect Eysturoy with the larger island of Streymoy. Because the channel is so narrow, spectacular eddies form at the base of the bridge when the current is running strongly with the tide. You will pass Eiði and cross the mountains to Gjógv. On the way, you are treated to a view of the Giant and the Hag -two very distinctive sea stacks that your imagination will have fun with. You'll also pass the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands, Slættaratindur (2,983 feet) and see the rather handy Gjógv Gorge which, at 616-feet long, provides a marvelous natural harbor for the local fishing fleet to shelter in. Stop in the village of Gjógv, at the local guesthouse, to enjoy refreshments of coffee and tea with pancakes. The ride back to Tórshavn is via the mountain road and you will stop at the viewpoint overlooking the capital.

Please note:   This tour travels along a scenic mountain road.