Scenic Coastlines of the British Isles

• Day 1 Liverpool

  Departure: late afternoon

• Day 3 Isle of Portland

  Although Portland remains 'tied' to the county's mainland by the 18-mile-long shingle stretch of Chesil Beach, this unique island is unlike any other part of Dorset. Marking the southernmost point of the Jurassic Coast, this four-mile-long, half-mile-wide gem is a natural wonderland of rugged, unspolit landscapes and coastal scenes that beg for exploration. Much of Portland, including the entire coastline, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific interest, protecting the natural habitats of the native wildlife and the remarkable geology of the island. 

  Beyond the delights of the island itself, Portland is also the gateway to a number of Dorset and Southern England's most scenic, and most iconic, attractions and destinations including Stonehenge, Bath and Salisbury Cathedral. Additionally, nearby there are a number of beautiful castles, such as Portland, Rufus and Sandfoot, as well as Nothe fort and Max Gate.

• Day 4 Saint Mary's, Isles of Scilly

  The largest of the Isles of Scilly, St. Mary’s is a peaceful gem off the coast of Cornwall, known for its warmth and beauty. The island is a charming blend of picturesque beaches, rolling hills, and rugged coastal paths, perfect for peaceful walks and sea views, and the capital of Hugh Town has narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafés, ripe for browsing or sampling locally caught seafood. Close by is Star Castle standing as a reminder of its centuries past, while, due to the island’s subtropical climate, you’ll have the chance to discover the lush Tresco Gardens, home to 2,000 exotic plant species, or go in search of the abundant wildlife, from playful seals to a variety of birds. 

• Day 5 Skellig Michael Island

  Standing side by side and rising dramatically out of the Atlantic Ocean, Skellig Michael and Little Skellig create a scene of breathtakingly craggy beauty set against the backdrop of the sea. The largest of the two, Skellig Michael, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its well-preserved 6^th-century Christian monastery perched on a ledge near the top, which offered solitude and spiritual communion to the first Irish Christians. Both islands are home to several seabird colonies, but as Little Skellig is closed to the public, it’s noted for being one of Europe’s largest breeding sites for gannets, with almost 30,000 pairs. The surrounding waters also attract Grey Seals, Basking Sharks, and Minke Whales due to the more settled weather conditions in the summer, which you may be able to spot from the decks of your ship.

  Cruising by Inishnabro

  Inishnabro is one of the lesser-known Blasket Islands, located off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland, and has been sculpted over millennia by wind and water erosion, leaving it with an intriguing geological terrain of rugged cliffs and rock formations. It is particularly renowned for the spectacular Cathedral Rocks, a range of tall, sheer, needle-like sea stacks that rise dramatically from the ocean, showcasing the island's raw natural beauty. The island is only inhabited by a variety of seabirds, which you can witness from your ship’s decks as you cruise past.

  Cruising by Tearaght Island

  At the westernmost point of Ireland’s Blasket archipelago lies the island of Tearaght, a craggy, uninhabited rock formation steeped in mystery. Rarely visited, the only people who land here by helicopter are engineers tasked with keeping the lighthouse operating. A scenic cruise past this saddle-shaped wonder is a unique opportunity to see it in all its dramatic glory. The island provides the perfect habitat for various seabird species, which nest, live and colonise here, particularly puffins and storm petrals.

• Day 5 Cruise by the Cliffs of Moher

  The Cliffs of Moher sit alongside the unique landscape of the Burren on one side and the Wild Atlantic Ocean on the other. Rising out of the Atlantic and running along the coast of Clare for almost 8 miles, the cliffs were formed over 320 million years ago, and today form part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. 30,000 pairs of seabirds nest at the cliffs during the breeding season, where the site is also home to rare wildflowers.

• Day 6 Killybegs

  Located on the Donegal Wild Atlantic Way, Killybegs is famous for its maritime culture, having been the last port of call for the galleon ‘Girona’ in 1588, before she sank after encountering a severe storm. Close by to the town is The Shannon Estuary, home to bottlenose dolphins; and Killybegs is seen as gateway to the rugged beauty of Malin Head, at the very end of the Wild Atlantic Way, recognised as the edge of Europe.

• Day 7 Portree, Isle of Skye

  Largest town on the Isle of Skye, Portree is set within a natural harbour surrounded with brightly-coloured houses and rocky cliffs. Serving as gateway to the rock formations at Trotternish Ridge, the Tusdale ruins and Dunvegan Castle – seat of the Clan MacLeod since the 13th century. Close by is Loch Coruisk, home to puffins, golden eagles, oystercatchers and occasional sea eagles.

• Day 8 Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

  Kirkwall promises an intriguing mix of nature, history, and traditional Scottish pastimes, with opportunities to discover Orkney’s haven for seals, puffins, and seabirds during the summer months on hikes that will also include remarkable views of the island’s rugged coastline. During a stroll of the town, you can explore the striking red and yellow sandstone construction of St. Magnus Cathedral or the Italian church, built by World War II prisoners of war. Venture further afield to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skara Brae or the mysterious Ring of Brogdar, offering incredible insights into Neolithic life in the Orkneys. Amidst your explorations of Kirkwall, relish opportunities to savour authentic Scottish cuisine, such as Orkney cheese and beef, and sample a wee dram at one of the island’s whisky distilleries.

• Day 9 Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin

  Located on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin is a place of untamed beauty with rugged hills rise steeply from the water’s edge and rocky shorelines create a stark contrast against the loch, which can be seen from the perfect viewpoint of your cruise ship's decks. The loch is crossed by the elegantly curving Kylesku Bridge, which blends perfectly with the landscapes, while the loch itself is home to a variety of marine life, like otters, seals and seabirds. Steeped in history, Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin was once a vital fishing ground and played a crucial role during World War II as a base for midget submarines used in daring special operations. Nowadays, the loch is seen as an integral part of the renowned North Coast 500 scenic driving route.

• Day 9 Cruise Loch Broom

  Loch Broom, which translates as ‘Loch of rain showers’, is located on the west coast of Scotland, and is where the charming town of Ullapool is also situated on the eastern shore. The loch is also lined by lush-green landscapes, the 2,438ft-high Ben Mor Coigach mountain and the 2,083ft-high Beinn Ghobhlach Marilyn. The latter is located at the head of the peninsula, overlooking the entrance to the loch; offering views across to Gruinard Bay.

• Day 9 Loch Torridon

  Slicing through the rugged landscapes of Scotland’s Northwest Highlands, Loch Torridon is a sea loch surrounded by areas of outstanding natural beauty, forming parts of the Torridon and Beinn Eighe nature reserves. The sandstone and quartzite peaks of the Torridon Hills are said to be some of the most beautiful in Britain – Liathach, Beinn Alligin and Beinn Eighe, standing at over 3,000 high, create a soaring backdrop to the loch.

• Day 10 Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mòr)

  Bac Mòr, also known as Dutchman’s Cap due to its unique mushroom-like shape, is one of the most iconic of the Scottish Treshnish Isles. Sailing alongside this geological spectacle offers a unique perspective from the sea, as the striking appearance of this uninhabited island appears before your ship, creating a rugged silhouette against the skyline. During September and the summer months, you’ll be able to witness rich grasslands and an abundance of wildflowers on the island; as well as nesting puffins, guillemots, fulmars, and razorbills, as it has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

• Day 10 Cruise Past Fingals Cave

  Fingal’s Cave is an iconic structure comprised of basalt rock, renowned for its distinctive symmetrical columns that soar out of the ocean. Famed for its naturally arched roof that creates eerie sounds from the echoes of the waves as they tumble against its walls, it was said to be Mendelssohn’s inspiration for the ‘Hebrides Overture’. According to legend, the giant Finn McCool built Fingal’s Cave as a place of refuge from his archenemy, Benandonner, and the road connects to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, both formed from the same ancient lava flow. In August, the cave is a popular place for wild swimming in its clear waters, so you may spot bathers from the decks of your ship snorkelling amongst the hexagonal columns. 

• Day 10 Cruise past Ailsa Craig

  As you sail past the tiny, uninhabited island of Ailsa Craig, you will be afforded incredible vistas of this unusually shaped volcanic plug from a long extinct volcano. Designated as an RSPB Reserve, it is home to Europe’s largest gannet colony, as well as guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and puffins, and is also renowned for producing blue-hone granite that’s been used for curling stones over the last century, most notably for the Olympics and Paralympics. Ailsa Craig is steeped in Scottish legend and is said to be a pebble that fell from the apron of the female giant, Cailleach, or ‘fairy rock’ when translating from its Gaelic spelling.

• Day 11 Liverpool

  Arrival: early morning

Scenic Coastlines of the British Isles Itinerary