Wild Scottish Isles & Norwegian Fjords

Start your adventure in Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow which is overflowing with historic landmarks and a vibrant culture. The distinct architecture is reminiscent classic 19th-century fused together with modern early 20th-century dubbed ‘Glasgow Style’. The checkerboard layout makes the city easy to navigate with lively street entertainment around every corner.

On arrival at Glasgow International Airport, transfer to our Embarkation Suite (conditions apply below). Explore Glasgow at your leisure before returning at the advised time for the group transfer to Sylvia Earle.

Important information

●Complimentary airport arrival transfers are available as group transfers for passengers arriving at Glasgow International Airport before 12.00 pm on Day 1 only.

●If you arrive after the airport-transfer cut-off, please make your own way to the Embarkation Suite before 2.00 pm to complete mandatory check-in.

●If you are already in Glasgow, please bring all your luggage to our centrally located Embarkation Suite and complete mandatory check-in between 9.00 am and 2.00 pm.

●At the Embarkation Suite, luggage storage, Wi-Fi, tea, coffee and light refreshments are available, along with assistance from Aurora Expeditions staff regarding your voyage and time in the city.

●Embarkation Suite location: To be advised approximately six months before departure.

●Your main luggage will be transferred to the ship at 2.30 pm. Please keep passports, medication, money, cards and anything else you may need during the day in your hand luggage.

In the late afternoon, join the mandatory group transfer to Sylvia Earle. Once onboard, settle into your cabin before attending the important safety briefings as we prepare to set sail for Scotland’s western isles. This evening, meet your Expedition Team and fellow travellers at a welcome dinner and raise a toast to the journey ahead.

St Kilda is a remarkable uninhabited archipelago some 40 nautical miles beyond the Outer Hebrides. The stunning cliffs and sea stacks are home to the most important seabird breeding colony in northwest Europe. St Kilda is one of the few places in the world to have received dual World Heritage status from UNESCO in recognition of its Natural Heritage and cultural significance. Village Bay on the island of Hirta once supported a population of over 200, but the last islanders left in the 1930s. Recent restoration work on the village by the National Trust for Scotland offers a marvellous link with the past. One of the caretakers acts as shopkeeper and postmaster for any visitors who might like to send a postcard home from St. Kilda.

Far out in the North Atlantic, the isolated archipelago of St Kilda rises dramatically from the sea. Recognised by UNESCO for both its cultural and natural significance, these islands preserve the story of a community that survived for centuries in one of Britain’s most remote environments. Weather permitting, we hope to land on Hirta and walk through the abandoned village, where stone houses, cleits and field walls reveal how islanders once lived, raised distinctive Soay sheep and harvested seabirds from the surrounding cliffs. Beyond the village, immense sea stacks and near-vertical cliffs support one of Europe’s most important seabird colonies. Gannets, fulmars and puffins breed here in vast numbers, while the scale and isolation of the landscape create an unforgettable sense of wilderness. St Kilda is notoriously exposed to Atlantic weather, making any visit a genuine expedition achievement.

Between Orkney and Shetland, tiny Fair Isle is renowned for its bird observatory, distinctive knitwear and dramatic shipwreck history. Cliffs surround much of the island, while its small community lives mainly in traditional crofts across the more fertile south. Positioned beneath major migration routes from Scandinavia, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, Fair Isle is a paradise for birdwatchers. In summer, fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, shags and puffins crowd the cliffs. Wildflowers flourish across the island, and we may meet local residents, hike through the landscape or visit the museum. The surrounding waters are home to grey and common seals, with possible sightings of porpoises, dolphins, orcas and minke whales.

Almost 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of mainland Scotland, the Shetland Islands sit at a similar latitude to Bergen and the southern tip of Greenland. Summer brings extraordinarily long days to an archipelago rich in nature reserves, archaeological treasures and distinctive island traditions. On the uninhabited island of Mousa stands Mousa Broch, the best preserved of Scotland’s Iron Age fortified towers. Nearly 2,000 years old, its remarkable stonework still rises more than 13 metres. We also hope to explore around Noss National Nature Reserve, whose immense sandstone cliffs support thousands of breeding seabirds. Common and grey seals inhabit these waters, and we will keep watch for otters—known locally as dratsies.

Exploring the sandstone cliff faces of the Isle of Noss will reveal ledges loaded with gannets, puffins, guillemots, shags, kittiwakes, Razorbills, fulmars and Great Skuas. The island was recognized as a National Nature Reserve in 1955, and has one of Europe’s largest and most diverse seabird colonies. Sheep have grazed the inland hillsides of Noss since the late 1800s and early 1900s when around twenty people lived on the island to manage the sheep farm. Along with the sheep, shaggy Shetland ponies graze the windblown slopes of Noss.

Nordfjordeid sits at the end of Eidsfjord, surrounded by dramatic mountains, fertile farmland and the deep waters of Nordfjord. The town is closely connected to Norway’s Viking past: nearby archaeologists uncovered the Myklebust ship, one of the largest Viking longships ever discovered in the country. Depending on local arrangements and conditions, our visit may combine fjord scenery, community life and opportunities to discover the region’s remarkable history.

North of the Arctic Circle, we explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vega Archipelago. Vega is renowned for a remarkable relationship between islanders and wild eider ducks that has endured for more than 1,500 years. Generations of families built nesting shelters and protected the birds through the breeding season; after the ducks and their chicks returned to sea, the islanders collected the soft down left behind. This sustainable tradition shaped both the landscape and the community’s way of life. To help protect Vega’s fragile environment, discover the island through a choice of small-group guided walks or a visit to the World Heritage Centre.

Option 1: Guided hike to Holandsosen Nature Reserve

Grade: Easy | Strict maximum numbers apply

Walk through the peaceful landscapes of Holandsosen Nature Reserve, where limestone bedrock, wetlands and abundant birdlife create a wonderfully varied environment. More than half the reserve is covered in rare coastal heath, a defining part of Vega’s cultural landscape. This gentle five-kilometre (3.1-mile) hike offers time to absorb the island’s quiet beauty.

Option 2: Guided hike to Guristraumen

Grade: Easy | Strict maximum numbers apply

Discover Guristraumen’s rich birdlife and, in season, colourful wild orchids. After a short drive to Nes, follow peaceful paths with sweeping views. Although the full trail is six kilometres (3.7 miles), we generally enjoy a relaxed three-kilometre (1.9-mile) walk, allowing time to appreciate the surrounding nature.

Option 3: Guided hike to Kjellerhaugvatnet Nature Reserve

Grade: Easy | Strict maximum numbers apply

Explore one of Vega’s most important wetland habitats, used by countless birds for nesting, migration and winter refuge. Along this two-kilometre (1.2-mile) trail, keep watch for wildlife including elk, hares and roe deer. A short coach transfer connects the ship with the trailhead.

Option 4: Guided walk through Kirkøy, Nes and Holand

Grade: Easy | Strict maximum numbers apply

Step into Vega’s fishing heritage on a guided walk through its characterful coastal villages. Follow quiet roads as your local guide shares stories of island life and favourite hidden corners. The 4.5-kilometre (2.8-mile) route offers excellent opportunities to photograph seabirds, spring flowers, traditional boats and colourful waterfront homes.

Option 5: Guided tour of the Vega World Heritage Centre

Grade: Easy

If you prefer not to join a guided hike, discover the islanders’ unique way of life through films, exhibits and audio presentations at the Vega World Heritage Centre. Afterwards, browse the shop or visit the café for tea or coffee and local waffles served with jam, sour cream and Norwegian brown cheese.

Today we explore Svartisen, Norway’s second-largest glacier, travelling ashore by Zodiac near Brestua. Spanning approximately 370 square kilometres, the ice cap feeds the Engabreen glacier tongue, which descends dramatically towards Holandsfjord and is among mainland Europe’s lowest-reaching glaciers. Active guests may have the opportunity to join a guided hike towards viewpoints overlooking the glacier, crossing rugged terrain shaped by ice and meltwater. Those seeking a gentler experience can enjoy the lakeside setting and admire the glacier from below. Conditions and safe access will determine the day’s activities.

We arrive in the Lofoten Islands, where jagged peaks rise abruptly above sheltered harbours, white-sand beaches and colourful fishing villages. Often translated as ‘the lynx’s foot’, Lofoten is a landscape shaped by ice, ocean and centuries of life connected to the sea.

Personalise your expedition with an included ‘Your Choice’ experience suited to your interests and fitness level.

Option 1: Guided hike towards Tjeldbergtind

Duration: 3 hours

Level of difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous

Hike through Lofoten’s pristine mountain landscape towards Tjeldbergtind. A steep ascent is rewarded with a magnificent 360-degree panorama of jagged peaks, lakes and coastal communities, including Svolvær, Kabelvåg and Vågan. On a clear day, views extend across the sea towards mainland Norway. Note: This hike covers approximately five kilometres (3.1 miles) over uneven terrain with loose gravel and sustained steep sections, reaching a maximum elevation of 367 metres (1,204 feet). Layered clothing and sturdy hiking boots are recommended. Participants should be in good physical condition, and views are subject to weather.

Option 2: Taste of Lofoten

Duration: 2 hours including snacks

Level of difficulty: Easy (limited seats available)

Discover the flavours and food traditions that have sustained Lofoten’s communities for centuries. Along the way, see traditional fish-drying racks before tasting local specialities such as dried Arctic cod, salmon, Lofoten lamb, cloudberries, locally produced yoghurt and cod roe. Stories of fishing, farming and life on the Arctic coast add depth to this authentic culinary experience. Note: The tour includes tastings of eight delicacies and should not be considered as a full meal. Drinks are not included, and a selection of beverages is available for purchase.

Option 3: Lofoten Fishing Village

Duration: 2 hours

Level of difficulty: Easy

Explore the history and culture of Svolvær on a guided walk through this working fishing community. Learn about the fisheries, the influential land-owning fish buyers and the town’s evolution, pausing at important historic and contemporary sites. The walk covers approximately three to five kilometres and includes a taste of traditional stockfish.

On the rugged island of Senja, steep mountains plunge into narrow fjords and small fishing villages sit between sea and wilderness. From Torsken, choose how you would like to experience this spectacular corner of Arctic Norway: discover the village’s history and flavours at a leisurely pace, climb towards Ravnfløy for sweeping coastal views, or challenge yourself on a strenuous hike into the wild landscapes adjoining Ånderdalen National Park. Whichever experience you choose, today reveals the close relationship between Senja’s dramatic environment and the resilient communities that call it home.

Personalise your expedition with an included ‘Your Choice’ experience suited to your interests and fitness level.

Option 1: Torsken Village Walk

Duration: 3 hours

Level of difficulty: Easy

Stroll through the fishing village of Torsken, where colourful houses sit beneath Senja’s dramatic mountains. Hear stories of the community’s maritime heritage, visit the 18th-century Torsken Church and sample local delicacies that reflect northern Norway’s culinary traditions.

Option 2: Trek to Ravnfløy

Duration: 3 hours

Level of difficulty: Moderate

Set out on an exhilarating hike towards Ravnfløy, where views unfold across Senja’s rugged coastline, mountains and pristine fjords. Pause beside a fire pit to enjoy local delicacies before continuing towards a magnificent viewpoint and the reward of memorable photographs. Note: This four-kilometre return hike gains approximately 548 metres over gravel, loose rock and boulders, with sustained steep sections and a short exposed passage. Layered clothing and sturdy hiking boots are recommended. Participants should be in good physical condition.

Option 3: Hike to Midtertinden

Duration: 4.5 hours

Level of difficulty: Strenuous

Challenge yourself on a strenuous but immensely rewarding hike towards Midtertinden. Beginning in Torsken, climb through Senja’s untamed landscapes as views open across the Norwegian Sea, scattered islets, mountains and fjords. Reaching the 623-metre summit is a genuine achievement, rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree Arctic panorama. Note: This approximately 4.4-kilometre return hike gains 623 metres over gravel, loose rock and boulders, with sustained steep sections and a short exposed passage. Layered clothing and sturdy hiking boots are recommended. Participants should be in excellent physical condition.

With its centre located on the island of Tromsø, the municipality of Tromsø is more than five times the size of Norway’s capital, Oslo, and is the world’s northernmost university city. Lying 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic' because it was used as a starting point for hunters looking for Arctic foxes, polar bears and seals. In the 19th century it was a base for explorers on Arctic expeditions – a history that is remembered in the city’s Polar Museum, which you can visit on an excursion. Also commemorated in the area is the history of Norway’s indigenous people, the Sami. Visitors can learn about the traditions, heritage and modern preservation of the Sami culture at the Tromsø Museum. Nowadays, Tromsø is a charming mix of old and new, with wooden buildings sitting alongside contemporary architecture such as the impressive glacier-like Arctic Cathedral, which features one of the largest stained glass windows in Europe. Looking down on the city is Mount Storsteinen, and a cable car runs to the top, giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside of forested peaks and reindeer pastures.

Disembark in the early morning and farewell your Expedition Team and fellow travellers before transferring to Tromsø Airport or a central Tromsø location for your onward journey. Note: We recommend booking flights departing Tromsø after 12.00 pm today in case of delays.