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.
Go in search of red deer on the tiny island of Rum then sail across The Minch to The Uists for a visit to the Balranald RSPB reserve and the ancient burial chamber of Barpa Langass. 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.
Learn about the ancient history of Lewis at the Callanish Standing Stones and Iron Age Carloway Broch then land ashore at Handa Island which is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve renowned for its razorbills, great skua and guillemots. Learn more about the heritage of Skye at the Bright Water Visitor Centre, see the colourful nesting puffins on the Isle of Lunga then explore Mull Eagle Watch or visit Tobermory.
HE393 Operated by Hebridean Island Cruises
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Western Isles Wildlife Itinerary
Day 1 - Oban (Scotland)
Embark Hebridean Princess in Oban.
Day 2 - Rum
Enjoy an exciting beach landing at Kilmory Bay on Rum to go in search of red deer before scenic cruising along Skye's west coast and across The Minch.
Day 3 - Lochmaddy
On South Uist learn about Balranald RSPB reserve which is home to corn crake, or visit the Neolithic cairn of Barpa Langass. 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.
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 - 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 6 - Eilean Ban
Skye was home to the author and naturalist Gavin Maxwell and at the nature reserve of Eilean Ban visit the Bright Water Visitor Centre to learn about the island's natural heritage.
Day 7 - Lunga - Tobermory
Take a local boat to the Isle of Lunga to see the colourful nesting puffins before visiting Mull to explore the island's capital, Tobermory, or the Mull Eagle Watch.
Day 8 - Oban
Disembark Hebridean Princess in Oban.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.