British Isles Cruise

Day 1 - Portsmouth, UK

Arrive: Tue 13 May 2025 / Depart: Tue 13 May 2025 at 19:00

Portsmouth is a port city and naval base on England’s south coast, mostly spread across Portsea Island. It’s known for its maritime heritage and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The dockyard is home to the interactive National Museum of the Royal Navy, the wooden warship HMS Victory, where Nelson died in the Battle of Trafalgar, and HMS Warrior 1860. The Tudor ship Mary Rose is also conserved in a dockyard museum.

Day 2 - Tresco, Isles of Scilly

Arrive: Wed 14 May 2025 at 13:00 / Depart: Wed 14 May 2025 at 18:00

For many visitors Tresco is the most attractive of the Isles of Scilly. This is especially due to its Abbey Garden, which is home to thousands of exotic plant species from around 80 different countries. Plant collector Augustus Smith began the gardens in the 1830s on the site of an old Benedictine Abbey by channelling the weather up and over a network of walled enclosures built around the Priory ruins. He had three terraces carved from the rocky south slope and maximised Tresco’s mild Gulf Stream climate. View less Even in mid-winter there still are hundreds of plants flowering here. Another surprising attraction at the Abbey Garden is the collection of figureheads from ships that wrecked among the Isles of Scilly.

Day 3 - Glengarriff, Ireland

Arrive: Thu 15 May 2025 at 09:00 / Depart: Thu 15 May 2025 at 18:00

Glengarriff is a village of approximately 140 people on the N71 national secondary road in the Beara Peninsula of County Cork, Ireland. Known internationally as a tourism venue, it has a number of natural attractions. It sits at the northern head of Glengarriff Bay, a smaller enclave of Bantry Bay.

Day 4 - Skellig Islands

Arrive: Fri 16 May 2025 at 05:00 / Depart: Fri 16 May 2025 at 10:00

If you think that the Skellig Islands look familiar, that’s because they are. The Skelling Michal towers set the scene in episodes seven and eight of the Stars Wars franchise, and local tourism has been feeling the force ever since. Aside from being in a galaxy far, far, away, the magnificent the Skellig Michael towers have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. View less The two Islands were (Great Skellig and Little Skellig) were part of a Gaelic Christian Monastic settlement from the 6th to the 12th century and the towers on Skellig Michael (Great Skellig) are a “unique example of an early religious settlement” (as well as being a final resting place for Jedis). The towers are surely the main attraction of the area and are simply fascinating. Built in a beehive shape to protect against the harsh elements, they use local stone and no mortar. Today, some 1,400 years later, they are still practically intact. There is also a graveyard on the island. Although be prepared for some walking; there are 618 steps winding up to the stone summit, which can get slippery in bad weather. However, like most things that require effort, you will be rewarded once you reach the top. The breathtaking views and photo opportunities are well worth it! Little Skelling is equally as important for birders too; the island is home to almost 30,000 pairs of gannets, the second largest colony of seabirds in the world. Guillemots, Puffins, Manx Shearwaters and Storm Petrels also nest on the island, making up the “Skellig Big Five”.

Day 4 - Dingle (Ireland)

Arrive: Fri 16 May 2025 / Depart: Fri 16 May 2025

Day 5 - Aran Islands

Arrive: Sat 17 May 2025 / Depart: Sat 17 May 2025

Day 5 - Kilronan, Aaran Islands

Day 6 - Killybegs

Arrive: Sun 18 May 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 18 May 2025 at 16:00

An all-encompassing, all-Irish, genuine warm welcome awaits those who visit Killybegs. Set in the Republic of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Killibegs is a hidden gem of a town that is often overshadowed by Dublin and Galway. But, as the privileged position on the north west coast proves, Killibegs is worth discovering. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the area. View less The spectacular Slieve League Cliffs, around 45-minutes through the rolling Donegal countryside, are said to be much more dramatic than the Cliffs of Mohr, so those who want to see some of Mother Nature’s finest work will want to head straight for here. At a height of approximately 1,968 feet (about 600 metres) above sea level, the Cliffs are believed to be Europe’s highest sea cliffs, and boast an unspoilt natural landscape. Admire the views from either above, looking down on the rolling waters beyond, or from below, gazing up at the folding cliffs towering before you. Don’t forget your camera! A stroll through Killybegs is rewarding in a tranquil way. The quiet fishing village is lulled by the salty sea breeze and the streets are pretty in a way that only authentic fishing villages can be. The image of soft light bouncing off the harbour walls, reflecting on the waters is something that is truly lovely and will not be forgotten in a hurry. The little town centre is well worth a visit, and can take all day if you get chatting to a local. Cosy little pubs, white sandy beaches and a rich, local history bring up the rear.

Day 7 - Londonderry

Arrive: Mon 19 May 2025 at 09:00 / Depart: Mon 19 May 2025 at 22:00

Derry, also known as Londonderry, is a city on the River Foyle in Northern Ireland. It’s known for the intact 17th-century Derry’s Walls with 7 gates. Within the walls, spired St. Columb’s Cathedral displays artefacts from the 1688–9 Siege of Derry. Near the Peace Bridge, the Tower Museum has city views and historical exhibits. Huge stained-glass windows adorn the neo-Gothic red sandstone Guildhall.

Day 8 - Iona

Arrive: Tue 20 May 2025 / Depart: Tue 20 May 2025

If tiny islands that resonate with peace and tranquillity are your idea of travel heaven, then welcome to Iona. Almost 200 miles east of Edinburgh, set in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, this magical island has a spiritual reputation that precedes it. And luckily, more than lives up to. The island is miniscule. Just three miles long and only one and a half miles wide, this is not a place that hums with urban attractions. View less 120 people call Iona home (this number rises significantly if the gull, tern and Kittiwake population is added), although residential numbers do go up (to a whopping 175) in summer. The beautiful coastline is lapped by the gulf stream and gives the island a warm climate with sandy beaches that look more Mediterranean than Scottish! Add to that a green field landscape that is just beautiful, and you’ll find that Iona is a place that stays with you long after you leave. Iona’s main attraction is of course its abbey. Built in 563 by Saint Columbia and his monks, the abbey is the reason why Iona is called the cradle of Christianity. Not only is the abbey (today an ecumenical church) one of the best – if not the best – example of ecclesiastical architecture dating from the Middle Ages, but it also serves as an important site of spiritual pilgrimage. St. Martin’s Cross, a 9th century Celtic cross that stands outside the abbey, is considered as the finest example of Celtic crosses in the British Isles. Rèilig Odhrain, or the cemetery, allegedly contains the remains of many Scottish kings.

Day 8 - Lunga, Trishnish Island

Arrive: Tue 20 May 2025 / Depart: Tue 20 May 2025

The stunning Isle of Lunga is the largest island in the Treshnish archipelago. With volcanic origin the isle was populated until the 19th Century, and remains of black houses can be seen around this magnificent coastal jewel. Abundant plant life and exotic birdlife are now the main inhabitants of the area. Fortunate visitors view the magnificent array of birds, especially the great puffins that breed on the islands plateau. One can sit within just a few feet away without disturbing the avian ambassador’s peace. View less The 81 hectare island is home to many rare and endangered plants such as, primroses and orchids. Views over the landscape and across the ocean can be seen from the 300 foot high cliffs.

Day 9 - Fort William, Scotland

Arrive: Wed 21 May 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 21 May 2025 at 17:00

Flanked by the UK’s tallest mountain on one side and Loch Linnae on the other, Fort William – or “Bill” to the locals – is what you imagine when it comes to Scottish Highland towns. Verdant moors stretch as far as the eye can see, pastel painted houses front the water and it is not unusual to see pipers in kilts on street corners. But while Fort William may play to certain critics’ idea of a cliché, the pretty town goes far beyond tartan cushions and wee drams of Scotch (although there is a fair amount of this too!). Fort William has everything you could possibly want while in the Highlands. The High Street has plenty to keep you occupied with its good range of shops, cafes and restaurants - a lunch of locally caught seafood or the iconic haggis, neeps and tatties is a must. Because of its privileged location sitting in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis (standing a proud 1,345 metres high) outdoor enthusiasts are especially well catered for. Unsurprisingly so, as Fort William is considered the UK’s outdoor capital. But it’s not all high adrenaline sports. Certainly, those who want to climb up a rock or hurtle down white water rapids will find their nirvana, but if gentle fishing, a quiet county walk or curling up in cosy pubs warmed by an open fire are more your glass of whiskey then you’re catered for. The West Highland Museum in the centre of the town is excellent, while St Andrew's Church, towards the north end of the main street, has a very attractive interior. Also well worth a look is St Mary's Catholic Church, on Belford Road, and no visit should be considered complete without a look at the Old Fort, almost invisible to passing traffic. Add a wildlife cruise amid stunning scenery and the steam train that took Harry to Hogwarts and you can easily spend a day in this lovely port.

Day 10 - St. Kilda, Outer Hebrides, UK

Arrive: Thu 22 May 2025 at 06:30 / Depart: Thu 22 May 2025 at 16:00

Gloriously remote, St. Kilda is an archipelago 50 miles off the Isle of Harris. Although the four islands are uninhabited by humans, thousands of seas birds call these craggy cliffs home, clinging to the sheer faces as if by magic. Not only is St. Kilda home to the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffin (almost 1 million), but also the world largest colony Gannets nests on Boreray island and its sea stacks. View less The islands also home decedents of the world’s original Soay sheep as well as having a breed of eponymously named mice. The extremely rare St. Kilda wren unsurprisingly hails from St. Kilda, so birders should visit with notebook, binoculars and camera to hand. While endemic animal species is rife on the island, St. Kilda has not been peopled since 1930 after the last inhabitants voted that human life was unsustainable. However, permanent habitation had been possible in the Medieval Ages, and a vast National Trust for Scotland project to restore the dwellings is currently being undertaken. The islands even enjoyed a status as being an ideal holiday destination in the 19th century. Today, the only humans living on the islands are passionate history, science and conservation scholars. One of the caretakers even acts as shopkeeper and postmaster for any visitors who might like to send a postcard home from St. Kilda. It should be noted that St. Kilda is the UKs only (and just one of 39 in the world) dual World Heritage status from UNESCO in recognition of its Natural Heritage and cultural significance.

Day 10 - Boreray Island cruising

Day 11 - Shiant Isles

Arrive: Fri 23 May 2025 at 06:30 / Depart: Fri 23 May 2025 at 12:00

Day 12 - Isle of May, ,UK

Arrive: Sat 24 May 2025 at 11:00 / Depart: Sat 24 May 2025 at 22:00

The Isle of May in Scotland is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage as a National Nature Reserve and is an important breeding ground for approximately one-quarter of a million seabirds. In fact, over 40,000 puffin burrows have been counted as occupied. Not only kittiwakes, shags, eiders, and guillemots but also Razorbills, Arctic Terns, Sandwich Terns and Common Terns, Lesser Gulls, Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls nest here. View less The island is located roughly four nautical miles off the coast of mainland Scotland and is used by biologists for surveying migrating passerines and for ringing breeding seabirds to better study their movements and breeding success. While hosting an impressive array and quantity of seabirds, the island itself is small at only 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) long, and less than half a kilometer (one-third of a mile) wide.

Day 12 - Edinburgh, UK

Arrive: Sat 24 May 2025

History and beauty unite in this proud capital of Scotland, dubbed "The Athens of the North”. A dramatic balance exists between the high dark buildings of Edinburgh's medieval old town and the classical architecture of its Georgian New Town. The city has an impressive natural setting, overlooked by the dominating mass of "Arthur's Seat," a mountain in miniature. Edinburgh is the administrative and cultural capital of Scotland. Though evidence suggests habitation as early as the Iron Age, the present city dates from the 11th-century reign of King Malcolm II and Queen Margaret. The Middle Ages were times of continual fluctuation as the citizenry fought against invasion and poverty. As a result, Edinburgh’s early development was greatly impeded.

Day 13 - Edinburgh, UK

Depart: Sun 25 May 2025

History and beauty unite in this proud capital of Scotland, dubbed "The Athens of the North”. A dramatic balance exists between the high dark buildings of Edinburgh's medieval old town and the classical architecture of its Georgian New Town. The city has an impressive natural setting, overlooked by the dominating mass of "Arthur's Seat," a mountain in miniature. Edinburgh is the administrative and cultural capital of Scotland. Though evidence suggests habitation as early as the Iron Age, the present city dates from the 11th-century reign of King Malcolm II and Queen Margaret. The Middle Ages were times of continual fluctuation as the citizenry fought against invasion and poverty. As a result, Edinburgh’s early development was greatly impeded.