The Scottish Isles – Island Hopping in the Hebrides

10 nights from £3,021pp departing Saturday 23rd Apr 2022

Head off to the Hebrides with us as we set sail on a circular voyage from Glasgow to some of the most remote and wildlife-rich Scottish islands aboard our expedition ship MS Spitsbergen. We’ll be landing at beaches, going on guided hikes, sea kayaking and much more as we explore this fascinating and remote archipelago.

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	23rd23	AprApr	202222	Glasgow, Scotland, embark on the MS Spitsbergen		22:00
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.
	24th24	AprApr	202222	Brodick, Isle of Arran, Scotland	08:00	22:00
	25th25	AprApr	202222	Isle of Islay, Scotland	08:00	22:00
	26th26	AprApr	202222	Isle of Gigha, Scotland	08:00	22:00
	27th27	AprApr	202222	Isle of Iona, Scotland	08:00	13:00
With a population of 120 residents, Iona is Located off the Southwest of Mull. The island is 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide but draws in thousands of visitors each year due to its natural beauty and historical interest. Saint Columba and his fellow monks landed here in 563. This beautiful stretch of coastline brings out the true beauty of Iona facing onto the Gulf Stream that gives the island its mild climate. Located to the south of the road lies Sìthean Mòr (Large fairy hill) and alternatively known as the Hill of Angels, this is said to have been the setting for many rituals and traditions dating far back in history. This wonderful highlight, Iona Abbey was founded by Saint Columba in 563 and is said to have survived many Viking attacks. Although little remains of the monastic buildings of this period, the magnificent Abbey is the main attraction.
	27th27	AprApr	202222	Treshnish Isles, Scotland	15:00	22:00
	28th28	AprApr	202222	St. Kilda Archipelago, Scotland	08:00	18:00
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.
	29th29	AprApr	202222	Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland	08:00	14:00
Tour description Stornoway, Scotland The Isle of Lewis and Harris is the northernmost and largest of the Outer Hebrides-the Western Isles in common parlance. The island's only major town, Stornoway, is on a nearly landlocked harbor on the east coast of Lewis. It's the port capital for the Outer Hebrides and the island's cultural center, such that it is. Stornoway has an increasing number of good restaurants. Lewis has some fine historic attractions, including the Calanais Standing Stones-a truly magical place. The Uists are known for their rare, plentiful wildlife. Stornoway. Besides being the island's main entry point for ferries, Stornoway is also Lewis's main arts center. You'll find some good restaurants in town if you want to have lunch off the ship. The town can be explored by bicycle if you are so inclined. Local rental shops can give you advice on where to ride, including a route to Tolsta that takes in five stunning beaches before reaching the edge of moorland. An Lanntair Arts Centre. The fabulous An Lanntair Arts Centre has exhibitions of contemporary and traditional art, as well as a cinema, a gift shop, and a restaurant serving international and Scottish fare. There are frequent traditional musical and theatrical events in the impressive auditorium. Kenneth St.. Black House. In the small community of Arnol, the Black House is a well-preserved example of an increasingly rare type of traditional Hebridean home. Once common throughout the islands-even into the 1950s-these dwellings were built without mortar and thatched on a timber framework without eaves. Other characteristic features include an open central peat hearth and the absence of a chimney-hence the soot and the designation black. On display inside are many of the house's original furnishings. To reach Arnol from Port of Ness, head south on the A857 and pick up the A858 at Barvas. Off A858, 21 mi southwest of Port of Ness. Admission charged. Calanais Standing Stones. These impressive stones are actually part of a cluster of several different archaeological sites in this area. Probably positioned in several stages between 3000 BC and 1500 BC, the grouping consists of an avenue of 19 monoliths extending northward from a circle of 13 stones, with other rows leading south, east, and west. Ruins of a cairn sit within the circle on the east side. Researchers believe they may have been used for astronomical observations, but you can create your own explanations. The visitor center has an exhibit on the stones, a gift shop, and a tearoom. On an unmarked road off A858. Admission charged. Dun Carloway. One of the best-preserved Iron Age brochs (circular stone towers) in Scotland, Dun Carloway dominates the scattered community of Carloway. The mysterious tower was probably built around 2,000 years ago as protection against seaborne raiders. The Dun Broch Centre explains more about the broch and its setting. Off A857. Gearrannan. Up a side road north from Carloway, Gearrannan is an old black-house village that has been brought back to life with a museum screening excellent short films on peat cutting and weaving. For a unique experience, groups can rent the restored houses. Leverburgh. At Leverburgh you can take the ferry to North Uist. Nearby Northton has several attractions; St. Clement's Church at Rodel is particularly worth a visit. MacGillivray Centre. Located in a round building overlooking the bay, the MacGillivray Centre gives insight into the life and work of William MacGillivray (1796-1852), a noted naturalist with strong links to Harris. MacGillivray authored the five-volume History of British Birds. This is a great location for a picnic (there are tables for just such a purpose). A walk to a ruined church starts at the parking lot. A859, Northton. Seallam! Visitor Centre and Co Leis Thu? Genealogical Research Centre. The center is where you can trace your Western Isles ancestry. Photographs and interpretive signs describe the history of Harris and its people. The owners organize guided walks and cultural evenings weekly between May and September. Off A859, Northton. Admission charged. St. Clement's Church. At the southernmost point of Harris is the community of Rodel, where you can find St. Clement's Church, a cruciform church standing on a hillock. This is the most impressive pre-Reformation church in the Outer Hebrides; it was built around 1500 and contains the magnificently sculptured tomb (1528) of the church's builder, Alasdair Crotach, MacLeod chief of Dunvegan Castle. Rodel is 3 mi south of Leverburgh and 21 mi south of Tarbert. A859, Rodel. Port of Ness. The stark, windswept community of Port of Ness, 30 mi north of Stornoway, cradles a small harbor squeezed in among the rocks. Butt of Lewis Lighthouse. At the northernmost point of Lewis stands the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, designed by David and Thomas Stevenson (of the prominent engineering family whose best-known member was not an engineer at all, but the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson). The structure was first lighted in 1862. The adjacent cliffs provide a good vantage point for viewing seabirds, whales, and porpoises. The lighthouse is northwest of Port of Ness along the B8014. Shopping Harris tweed is available at many outlets on the islands, including some of the weavers' homes; keep an eye out for signs directing you to weavers' workshops. Harris Tweed Artisans Cooperative. The Harris Tweed Artisans Cooperative sells stylish and quirky hand-crafted tweed clothing, hats, accessories, all made by artists belonging to the cooperative. 40 Point St., Stornoway. Borgh Pottery. At Borgh Pottery, open from Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 6, you can buy attractive hand-thrown studio pottery made on the premises, including lamps, vases, mugs, and dishes. Fivepenny House, A857, Borve.
	29th29	AprApr	202222	Shiant Isles, Scotland	16:00	22:00
	30th30	AprApr	202222	Loch Scavaig, Isle of Skye, Scotland	08:00	13:00
	30th30	AprApr	202222	Isle of Eigg, Scotland	15:00	22:00
	1st01	MayMay	202222	Sound of Mull, Scotland	08:00	22:00
	2nd02	MayMay	202222	Colonsay Island, Scotland	08:00	18:00
	3rd03	MayMay	202222	Glasgow, Scotland, disembark the MS Spitsbergen	08:00
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.

MS Spitsbergen

Launch Year

2009

Refit Year

2016

Tonnage

7,344

Capacity

335

Cabins

180

Accessible

Deck 8

Deck 7

Deck 6

Deck 5

Deck 4

Deck 3

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Arctic Superior - Outside cabin for 2 travellers

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
U2D	Arctic Superior: Outside Cabin (Double)	£5,080	£5,080

Smaller Outside Arctic Superior cabin with double bed, TV, table and kettle.

Arctic Superior - Outside cabin for 2 travellers

Outside Arctic Superior cabin with double bed, TV and kettle. Window view is party obstructed.

Arctic Superior - Upper deck for 2-4 travellers

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
QJ	Arctic Superior: Outside Cabin (limited/no view)	£4,516	£4,516

These large, comfortable cabins for two or four people on the upper deck have double beds and bathrooms with shower and WC. Some cabins have four single beds also have upper and lower berths. They also have TV. The cabins have limited or no view.

Expedition Suite - Grand suite on upper deck

These exclusive suites on the upper deck have one large room, a seating area, TV, kettle, tea/coffee, stereo, bathrooms with shower/WC, complimentary internet access, minibar and private balcony.

Expedition Suite - Mini suite for 2 travellers

This mini suite for up to two people on lower deck have double bed, TV, window, and bathroom with shower/WC.

Expedition Suite - Owners suite on upper deck

These exclusive suites on the upper deck have a double bed, a separated seating area, TV, kettle, tea/coffee, stereo, minibar, bathrooms with shower/WC, and a spacious private balcony. Please note that we have a wheelchair accessible cabin within this category, please contact us to book.

Polar Inside - Inside cabin for 2 travellers

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
I2D	Polar Inside Cabin (Twin)	£3,021	£3,021

Inside cabin with double bed and TV for up to two people.

Polar Inside - Larger inside cabin for 2 travellers

Spacious inside cabin with double bed and TV for up to two people.

Polar Inside - Superior inside cabin for up to 4 travellers

Spacious inside cabin for four travellers, with one double bed and TV.

Polar Outside - Lower deck for 2 travellers

Polar Outside cabins are situated on lower deck and they all have bathrooms with shower/wc. Upper and lower berths

Polar Outside - Middle deck for 2 travellers

These outside cabins for up to two people on the middle and upper decks have bathrooms with shower/WC, upper and lower berths, and a limited view.

Polar Outside - Outside cabin for 2 travellers

Outside cabin with double bed, TV and window.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Brygga Bistro

Serving traditional husmannskost, soup of the day, fresh salads, wraps and sandwiches. Enjoy bistro dishes such as Hurtigruten’s signature burger and famous shrimp sandwich, sirloin steak, grilled salmon, locally-inspired pizza, desserts and sweet cakes. Juice, yoghurt with topping, soft drinks, local beverages and wine are also available.

Torget Main Dining

Breakfast

An extensive breakfast buffet including hot dishes, cold cuts, fish, homemade smoothies, energy shots, yoghurt, granolas and fruit jams. Fresh bread, fruit, local cheeses and chef stations such as pancakes or salmon carving. Coffee/tea/juice/water included.

Lunch

Traditional husmannskost (traditional rustic dishes) from the region. Every day, a choice of one meat, one fish and one vegetarian main dish is served along with fresh bread and local cheese, and a wide selection of salads, vegetables, cold cuts, salmon, herring and other seafood. Homemade desserts and cakes are also available. Coffee/tea/water included.

Dinner

Enjoy the best of Norwegian farm-to-table dining with three-course dinners or buffets. The menu varies over an 11-day cycle, with a selection meat, fish or vegan dishes. Water included. Wine packages, local beverages and alcohol-free alternatives available.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Reception

The reception is located on deck 5.

Explorer Bar

The Main Lounge, also hosting daily multimedia presentations and professional lectures by expert scientists and wildlife experts.

Observation Decks

The ship has spacious outdoor areas. They are perfect vantage points to sit back, relax and watch the world go by.

Observation Lounge

The Observation lounges offer large panoramic windows with ample and comfortable seats. There will be binoculars for sale in the onboard shop.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

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Holiday Summary

	10 nights aboard the MS Spitsbergen
	Full-board dining included
	Wine, beer & soft drinks included with lunch & dinner
	Complimentary tea and coffee
	Range of included excursions
	No gratuities
	Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
	Engaging onboard activities and lectures
	Port Taxes and Fees
	ABTA and ATOL Protection*

	Interior	Oceanview	Suite
	(All prices are £GBP per person)
Tue 3rd May 202203 May 22		5,488
Fri 14th Apr 202314 Apr 23	2,890	3,410	5,087
Thu 4th May 202304 May 23	3,190	3,764	5,615