Start in Dublin and board National Geographic Explorer for an 8-day cruise to northern Scotland. Visit Rathlin Island to observe puffins and seabird colonies from cliff trails and the Rathlin West Light. Explore the Isle of Skye’s fishing villages, medieval castles, and coastal inlets. Sail to Loch Ewe and visit Inverewe Gardens while watching for red deer, red squirrels, otters, seals, and golden eagles. Cruise Shetland and Orkney, making stops at remote beaches and piers, exploring ancient brochs, Kirkwall, and Scapa Flow via Zodiac. Disembark in Edinburgh with airport transfer. This route combines cultural history, wildlife observation, and coastal exploration in the northern UK.
Highlights
Observe puffins and seabirds on Rathlin Island cliffs
Visit Isle of Skye fishing villages and medieval castles
Tour Kirkwall and remote Orkney beaches with ancient brochs
Navigate Shetland islands by Zodiac and hike coastal trails
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Arrive in Dublin and transfer from the airport to the city center. Explore historic sites such as Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Walk the streets, visit museums, or enjoy local shops and cafes before boarding the ship in the afternoon.
Begin your expedition on Rathlin Island, home to Northern Ireland’s largest puffin colony and thousands of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and fulmars. Take the shuttle to the cliffs and visit Rathlin West Light, built between 1912 and 1917. From the lighthouse, watch seabirds on the cliffs before hiking along the country lane back to the harbor and observing everyday island life.
Sail through the Sea of the Hebrides to the Isle of Skye, known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles. Enjoy an expedition day along its coast, exploring inlets and villages that this region is known for—and possibly a wee dram of the local libations.
The next day, move further up the coast to Loch Ewe, inhabited over the centuries by crofting villages and used as a gathering point for maritime trade and military convoys. Today, one of the best known highlights of the Loch is Inverewe Gardens, initially curated by a private land owner and currently looked after by the National Trust of Scotland. Enjoy a relaxed morning amongst the gardeners tending the early season beds, while keeping an eye out for the Scottish Big Five of red squirrel, red deer, otter, seal and golden eagle that call this area of the world home.
Rounding the most northern region of the United Kingdom, spend the next three days winding your way south through Shetland and Orkney. Shetland is composed of 16 individual islands and offers the chance to delve into its Viking and Norwegian roots, as well as its farming culture on the edge of the ocean.
Orkney offers its own highlights, including the capital of Kirkwall and the famed harbor of Scapa Flow. Your expedition team will make the most of these days by calling at remote piers and beaches by Zodiac. Explore ancient brochs overlooking the North Sea and hike across island trails.
Day 8: Edinburgh | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Edinburgh and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,3902-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Cat 1
Main Deck with one or two portholes. #301-308
Cat 2
Main Deck with window. #317-320, 335-336
Cat 3
Main Deck with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340, 342, 344-350
Main Deck L-shaped Suite #341 & 343
Cat 4
Upper and Veranda Decks with Window. # 103-104, 107-108, 201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert
Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker with the latest gear to try out on loan (aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet)
Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits are available aboard the ship. Additionally, a selection of super premium wines and liquors is offered for purchase.
Crew gratuities
Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media.
Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Excursions and airport transfers to and from flights arriving and departing within recommended window, as indicated in the itinerary
Exploration tools such as snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, kayaks, stand-up paddleboard, cross-country skis, and snowshoes (where applicable)
Guidance and company of leading expedition staff
All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore.
Presentations by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
Onboard physician consultations (where available)
24-hour access to exercise equipment (where applicable)
All accommodations aboard ship or in hotels per itinerary
Complimentary reusable water bottle
24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library, and other shared spaces
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, and phone services (except when indicated as included)
We strongly recommend our guests to take Travel Protection Plan. A Plan with comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damaged or lost baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels
Airfare (except flights when indicated as included); charter airfare (where applicable, except when indicated as included); pre- and post-expedition extensions (except flights when indicated as included); additional hotel nights (except when indicated as included)
Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees
Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans
Additional costs associated with medical services outside onboard physician consultation (where available)
Private transfers (except when indicated as included)
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
