The Orkneys were a Viking stronghold but their history goes back thousands of years, as can be seen in the Stone Age tombs and standing stones. The Outer Hebrides enjoy a similar ancient history with stone circles, brochs and Neolithic monuments.
See the Churchill Barriers and Italian Chapel, both built by Italian prisoners of war then step back 5000 years with a visit to the Tomb of the Eagles. At the Neolithic heart of Orkney see the Ness of Brodgar, the archaeological site of Skara Brae, the standing stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. Visit the Castle of Mey or Mary Ann's Cottage on the mainland then sail around Cape Wrath and the Minch.
Immerse yourself in ancient history at the Standing Stones of Callanish and the well-preserved broch at Dun Carloway, and enjoy a beach landing on the uninhabited Shiant Isles. There is more history to discover on North Uist with a visit to Pobull Fhinn, before stopping at Kilmartin Glen which contains over 800 Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments.
HE373 Operated by Hebridean Island Cruises
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Island Kingdoms of the Vikings Itinerary
Day 1 - Invergordon (Scotland)
Embark Hebridean Princess in Invergordon.
Day 2 - Kirkwall
See the Churchill Barriers causeways which were built by Italian prisoners of war, as was the Italian Chapel which was made out of two Nissen huts.
Day 3 - South Ronaldsay - Stromness
Explore the visitor centre of the Stone Age 'Tomb of the Eagles', perched above the dramatic South Ronaldsay cliffs before visiting the Neolithic Ness of Brodgar.
Day 4 - Stromness
Visit the ancient archaeological site of Skara Brae, the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar.
Day 5 - Scrabster
Return to the mainland with a visit to the late Queen Mother's summer home of the Castle of Mey, providing HRH The Duke of Rothesay is not in residence, or Mary Ann's Cottage. Cruise around Cape Wrath and The Minch.
Day 6 - Stornoway - Shiant Isles
On Lewis walk among the megaliths at the magnificent Neolithic Standing Stones of Callanish and the well-preserved Dun Carloway broch which dates back to around 1,000BC. Later there is an exciting beach landing on the uninhabited Shiant Isles.
Day 7 - Lochmaddy - Lochboisdale
Tour The Uists with visit to the prehistoric stone circle of Pobull Fhinn.
Day 8 - Craobh Haven
Cruise along the coast of Mull to uncover 6000 years of history at Kilmartin Glen, home to ancient monuments and a special museum.
Day 9 - Oban
Disembark Hebridean Princess in Oban.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary. This cruise starts in Invergordon and ends in Oban. Coach transfers will be provided from Inverness Railway Station and Inverness Airport to Invergordon at the start of the cruise, and from Oban to Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Central Railway Station at the end of the cruise. Car parking is available at Oban and a complimentary transfer will be provided to Invergordon on the day of embarkation for guests wishing to utilise this car parking arrangement.