See the white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and bird cliffs of the Western Isles and learn more about the region's heritage and culture with visits to ancient sites on the Isle of Lewis.
Land ashore at Handa Island which is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve renowned for its razorbills, great skua and guillemot, before cruising The Minch to learn about the ancient history of Lewis at the Callanish Standing Stones and Iron Age Carloway Broch. Sail close to the uninhabited Shiant Isles to observe the thousands of seabirds which nest here and perhaps catch a glimpse of seals, basking sharks, oystercatchers and puffins.
On North Uist, enjoy a visit to the Balranald RSPB reserve and the ancient burial chamber of Barpa Langass, see the colourful nesting puffins on the Isle of Lunga, and head to the beautiful Colonsay House Gardens on Colonsay.
HE393 Operated by Hebridean Island Cruises
.
Western Isles Wildlife Itinerary
Day 1 - Oban (Scotland)
Embark Hebridean Princess in Oban.
Day 2 - Kyle of Lochalsh
Cruise the Sound of Sleat and Kyle Rhea to Kyle of Lochalsh. Enjoy a visit to Eilean Ban and the Bright Water Visitor Centre.
Day 3 - Handa Island
Sail past the seabird cliffs of Handa Island then land ashore to explore the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve which is home to guillemots, razorbills and great skua.
Day 4 - Stornoway
Learn about the ancient history of the Callanish Standing Stones which were erected around 5,000 years ago and the Iron Age Carloway Broch then sail back across The Minch.
Day 5 - Lochmaddy
Take a small boat trip past the seabird cliffs of the Shiant Isles which are home to seals, basking sharks, puffins and thousands of nesting seabirds. On North Uist learn about Balranald RSPB reserve which is home to corn crake, or visit the Neolithic cairn of Barpa Langass.
Day 6 - Rum
Cruise The Little Minch and the west coast of Skye. On Rum, enjoy a beach landing at Kilmory Bay.
Day 7 - Lunga
Take a local boat to the Isle of Lunga to see the colourful nesting puffins, before heading to Mull for the Mull Eagle Watch.
Day 8 - Oronsay
Enjoy a beach landing and visit to the RSPB Reserve on Oransay, before heading to Colonsay House Gardens on Colonsay.
Day 9 - Oban
Disembark in Oban.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.