Your journey begins in Aberdeen, where the MV Ocean Albatros is located by the dock. Aberdeen, the Scottish city of adventure, is known for its many titles, the most famous being the Granite City. With its glittering Victorian buildings, it's easy to see why the city was once the world's granite capital. Now a lively cultural center, Aberdeen has a variety of museums, galleries, theaters, shops, cafes, and restaurants for visitors (who arrive early) to discover.

Boarding is in the afternoon, when the cabins are designated. After the mandatory security review and drill, sail out along the coast of North East Scotland.

You are set to approach Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, in the morning. Shetland consists of more than 100 islands, of which only 15 are inhabited year-round. The islands form the northernmost part of the United Kingdom and are located approximately 300 kilometers north of the mainland of Scotland.

Once securely docked at the port, depart through Lerwick towards Scalloway for a short scenic drive. From up high, you can see both the charming village and the impressive Scalloway Castle. After a short photo stop, continue eastwards through the area that is locally known as the Black Gates—an area where peat is still cut and used as fuel.

Following the road northward, your main destination of Clickimin Broch is only a short drive. There will be free time to discover this well-preserved and restored Broch and learn more about life in the Iron Age.

(Please note: The coach excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip.)

Afterwards, return to Lerwick and the ship around lunchtime.

As you finish your meal, the ship moves to the nearby Isle of Noss, home to some of Scotland's busiest seabird colonies. Depending on the weather, you may hope to make either a Zodiac cruise or a landing with a shorter hike on the island.

From here, depart the Shetland Islands and set sail towards the Scottish mainland at Ullapool, gateway to the Northwest Highlands.

Situated in the Ross and Cromarty region of the Scottish Highlands, Ullapool is a small village and harbor boasting a population of roughly 1,500. 45 miles north-west of Inverness, this is the largest settlement for miles around, despite its relatively tiny size.

Positioned in the tranquil waters of Loch Broom, Ullapool enjoys some of the most spectacular scenery in the United Kingdom. The Northwest Highlands have a population density comparable to Mongolia, and Ullapool sits almost alone amid thousands of square miles of untouched wilderness. As the ideal gateway to Assynt, Ullapool is a magnet for geologists, who for centuries have visited this region of Scotland attempting to unravel the mysteries of the Earth. The area bears witness to billions of years of geological evolution, from meteorite impacts to the opening and closing of oceans and the rise and fall of mountains. While geologically fascinating, anyone can appreciate the spectacular mountainous landscape of Assynt, sculpted by millennia of glacial grinding, volcanic eruptions, and tectonic collisions. The best way to experience this dramatic landscape is on foot, with excellent hiking opportunities beginning right from the harbor. Meanwhile, Loch Broom brims with wildlife best discovered on a zodiac cruise with your knowledgeable Expedition Team. The approach to Ullapool passes the Summer Isles, which are a magnet for dolphins; keep your binoculars at the ready!

Serving as the only town on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland until 1973, Tobermory is the capital of the region. Positioned near the northern entrance of the Sound of Mull on the east coast of Mishnish, this village was originally founded as a fishing port in 1788 and has an approximate population of 1,000. Its formation was shaped according to the designs of Thomas Telford, a civil engineer from Dumfriesshire.

Tobermory defines most people's thoughts when they consider the Scottish Islands. Bright, multicolored homes and businesses overlook the town's bustling harbor front, backed by forbidding hills mantled in thick forest. Tobermory is a true Scottish jewel and is home to a large community of artists and other creatives, as well as those seeking an escape from the rigors of the world. The picture-perfect town belies an adventurous spirit; Tobermory is the ideal gateway to the vast wilderness of the Isle of Mull, with excellent hiking options across the island, many beginning from the harbor itself. The rich waters and strong currents of the Sound of Mull nourish the abundant sea life of the area; seals, dolphins, and eagles are all resident in the area, and more exotic visitors such as basking sharks can also be found nearby. Of course, no self-respecting Scottish isle would be complete without a distillery, and the Isle of Mull distillery produces two renowned varieties: smooth, mellow Tobermory and smoky, intense Ledaig (pronounced Leh-Chig). With several warm and cozy pubs also situated around the bay, connoisseurs are utterly spoiled for choice. Sláinte!

Follow in the footsteps of generations of saints, holy men, and pilgrims. Despite its tiny size, Iona stands large in history as the site where Christianity arrived in Scotland, brought from Ireland by Saint Columba. Arriving in a pagan wilderness at Port na Curaich, St. Columba began to preach on the site where the Abbey of Iona would be built. Parts of the Abbey complex date to around 800 A.D., making it one of the oldest Christian sites in Western Europe; relics stored in the excellent Abbey Museum tell the fascinating story of this isle. Centuries of Viking raids, geographic isolation, and the Scottish Reformation led the abbey to fall into disrepair until the buildings were transferred to the ownership of the Iona Cathedral Trust in 1899, beginning the long and arduous process of rebuilding. Today the island is a popular destination for those seeking the tranquility of its crystal-clear sapphire seas and wild green hills, as well as modern-day pilgrims seeking the wisdom of this ancient site. Your visit entails a walk around the small town and free time around the Abbey. To reach the Abbey, pass through the charming village of Iona (more frequently known simply as "the village,", which hosts several galleries, shops, and cafes.

The Isle of Iona is also a great place to hike and has a wide range of natural habitats that are home to several rare species, such as the hard-to-find corncrake.

Return to the ship for lunch, and the ship leaves for the island of Lunga.

The tiny, uninhabited Isle of Lunga sits amid the Treshnish Isles, a set of rugged rocks west of the Isle of Mull. The island has been assigned the special designation of Site of Special Area of Conservation due to its abundant wildlife. Residents left the island during the Highland Clearances, leaving Lunga to be reclaimed by nature, and today it hosts one of the largest seabird colonies in the Scottish Isles. In a gash in the rocks, thousands of guillemots and razorbills cluster on rocky perches, while iridescent shags and puffins claim nests and burrows on the grassy slopes above. The birds here have never been hunted and exhibit a remarkable fear of people. Move slowly and quietly to be rewarded with some of Scotland's most intimate nature encounters with these charismatic feathered friends.

Note: This activity is designated as moderate; the landing on the rocky beach is not suitable for those with mobility issues.

After your afternoon visit, continue northbound towards St. Kilda.

Today, you get to the beautiful and remote island of Hirta, which is known for having the highest sea cliffs in the United Kingdom. You have traversed 45 miles west of the Outer Hebrides coast to reach this most remote part of the United Kingdom. The uninhabited island has remnants of human heritage in the shape of medieval villages and architecture. The islands were mainly used for seabird hunting and grazing. The last 36 St. Kildans left on August 29, 1930, because life had become too difficult on the remote archipelago. Today, there are summer residents comprised of staff from the National Trust for Scotland, volunteers, and scientists.

The volcanic islands of Hirta, Dun, Soay, and Boreray are on the UNESCO World Heritage List as both natural and cultural treasures. The spectacular landscapes, hidden coves, rugged terrain, and bird-rich coasts are what you can spend your time on during your visit.

St. Kilda is a breeding ground for many important seabird species. So, lookout for northern gannets, Leach’s petrels, puffins, and the northern fulmar, and if you are extremely lucky, you may find the endemic St. Kilda wren pecking for insects in the thick vegetation around the cliffs and rocky slopes. When at sea, your eyes are always peeled for sea mammals, which in these areas could also include humpbacks and even orcas.

In the afternoon, continue your voyage towards the Outer Hebrides.

As your journey through the Jewels of the Scottish Isles continues, navigate through the northwestern part of Scotland. Find yourselves in the remote string of islands known as the Outer Hebrides; herein lies the Isle of Lewis and Harris, a rugged and bleakly beautiful land of heather and moor, loch and stream, and home to the main harbor town of Stornoway.

When you get to the main town early in the morning, you can go on an optional tour that takes you through the wild landscape of the Outer Hebrides and back in time to the Neolithic Callanish Standing Stones. Expect the guides to share many stories behind the sights you pass.

(The excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip.)

Back in Stornoway, board the ship to set sail during lunch, so you can circumnavigate the Shiant islands before setting off towards the Orkney islands.

The Shiant Isles translate from Gaelic to something like "enchanted isles". The privately owned islands have large populations of seabirds, and their protected marine area makes them what some would call "paradise for observations". Spend some time enjoying the breathtaking scenery before you move on.

As the night progresses, the boat will travel northeast beyond the Outer and Inner Hebrides, and by morning, it will have arrived at the port of Kirkwall on the breezy Orkney Isles off the coast of Scotland. Orkney's name originates from Old Norse for "seal islands," and like other northern Atlantic isles, the region is rich in Viking history.

Set out from Kirkwall to the west side of the largest isle, Mainland. As you move through the serene hillsides, navigating the World Heritage Site of the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney, full of ancient archaeology, your journey takes you past the Standing Stones of Stenness to the 5000-year-old ceremonial Ring of Brodgar, an enduring vestige of one of the earliest European civilizations.

(The excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip.)

In the afternoon, be on your way south to Aberdeen.

The Captain will lead the ship southwards along the east coast of Scotland, and arrive in Aberdeen, Scotland's third-largest city. At this time, say farewell to the ship and its crew before departing.