Wild Scotland: St. Kilda, Ben Nevis & Northern Isles

Nestled in the charming harbor town of Fairlie, overlooking the calm waters of the Firth of Clyde and just a short distance from vibrant Glasgow, Ocean Victory welcomes guests aboard. Following mandatory safety briefings and drills, settle into your stateroom before raising a glass with a handcrafted cocktail as the ship begins its journey toward the serene lochs of the Scottish Highlands.

On the second day of our expedition, Ocean Victory arrives in Fort William, set beneath the dramatic peaks of the Nevis Range and known as Scotland’s adventure capital. Opportunities for exploration abound, from the rugged landscapes of Glencoe to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, and the legendary waters of Loch Ness. Whether you choose to hike scenic trails, spot wildlife with binoculars, or wander through town to admire landmarks such as Neptune’s Staircase, Fort William offers adventure at every turn.

Britain’s remotest archipelago, St. Kilda is Britain’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for both its human and natural wonders. We drop anchor in the bay overlooking the village – a unique settlement often compared to Machu Picchu, built entirely from stone by the islanders who once called this island home. Windswept, rugged, and difficult to farm, the locals of St. Kilda left for less challenging lands in 1930, leaving the island to vast seabird colonies and ancient Soay sheep, once the islanders’ primary source of food.

Small, remote, and rarely visited, Ullapool is the largest town in the Northwest Highlands, a corner of Scotland with a population density closer to Mongolia than Britain. Ullapool sits on a long, calm loch surrounded by forests and mountains and is the gateway to the Northwest Highlands UNESCO Geopark. The ancient rocks here tell the story of billions of years of gradual evolution – encompassing the rise of life on Earth, the movement of continents, and impacts from space – creating a striking, otherworldly landscape of isolated mountains, rolling hills, and deep lochs. Explore on foot and step back millions of years with each step.

The capital and largest town of the Orkney Islands, Kirkwall’s narrow streets beckon visitors to explore the town’s deep Scottish and Norse heritage. Highlights include the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral and the Highland Park distillery, Scotland’s northernmost whisky producer. However, the islands’ history stretches back far beyond the medieval era to the Neolithic. Sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar are among the best preserved on Earth, bearing witness to 5,000 years of history and inscribed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

On the final day of our expedition, Ocean Victory arrives in the heart of the Granite City. After a fond farewell to the officers and crew, step onto the granite streets of Scotland’s most important port city – the ideal place to head home with treasured memories of the glens, or to continue exploring the wonders of eastern Scotland.