Wild Islands & Lands of Legends - Antarctic Cruise

We welcome you to Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland. This is where our journey begins. We have arranged hotel accommodation before the cruise to give you more time in this city rich with history and culture. Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the city, taking in both 18th century architecture and medieval architecture. Edinburgh Castle is majestically positioned above all.

The morning and the early afternoon are yours to enjoy at leisure. Edinburgh's ancient streets are dotted with unexpected views of distant green hills and blue seas. You will then be transported from your hotel to the cruise ship, located in nearby Port of Leith. You have time before dinner to discover the  expedition vessel. This is your new home away from home.

Kirkwall has a quiet, relaxed pace. It is also the capital city of Orkney, a remote archipelago. Kirkwall was first mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga, in 1046. We can explore the rich history of Kirkwall today. Most famous is the St Magnus Cathedral in sandstone, which has been called the best medieval structure of the northern part of Scotland. Also, there are Bishop's Palace, and Earl's Palace.
Tour "Ancient Treasures of Orkney" with St Magnus Cathedral. Depart Kirkwall, and travel to the West of Mainland (Orkney's biggest island). The tour takes you through Orkney's gentle rolling terrain and the Neolithic Heartland, an area that has been designated as a World Heritage Site for its prehistoric archaeology. After passing the Standing Stones of Stenness we stop at the Ring ofBrodgar, a large ceremonial stone circle dating back nearly 5000 years. The 5000 year old village Skara Brae is beautifully explained in the Visitor Centre. Discover the amazing dwellings that were revealed by the storms 150 years ago from under the dunes.

Listen to some stories as you return to Kirkwall. We will visit St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, the capital of the isle. 

Fair Isle is a small island with rolling moorlands, rugged coasts and friendly residents. Birders are drawn to the island for its many records and rare eastern migrants and rarities. Fair Isle, a small island in the North Sea, is one of Europe’s most popular places for watching seabirds up close, particularly puffins. The island's wildflowers are also notable. In its bays, seals can also be seen. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to view and buy hand-knitted articles in Fair Isle's distinctive and intricate style.

On Mainland we come alongside the port of Lerwick, on the largest Shetland Island. We visit the Shetland Museum, an award-winning museum in this historical town. Here we learn about Shetland’s rich heritage and culture. We then take an overland scenic coach journey through Dunrossness' fertile landscape to explore Shetland’s most popular destinations. Birders can visit Sumburgh Head's historic lighthouse, which is the southernmost tip of Mainland Shetland. The rugged cliffs are home to thousands of seabirds, and you can enjoy close-up encounters with puffins in the beautiful wildflowers on the slopes. Jarlshof is also on the agenda, which is one of the best archaeological sites found in Britain. We will see stone structures that span 5,000 years, such as Bronze Age oval homes, Pictish Wheelhouses, Iron Age Brochs, Viking Longhouses and Mediaeval Farmhouses.

Foula, one of the Shetland Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Foula is a wonderful place for birdwatching. Its cliffs are home to a wide variety of seabirds, including Great Skuas. Foula also has an interesting history and culture.

Papa Stour, another island in the Shetland islands.

Papa Stour’s soft volcanic rocks eroded to create a spectacular cliff scenery, with caves, arches, blowholes, and stacks. The marine fauna and plants that live in these features include a variety of species.

National Geographic Traveler has rated Faroe Islands "authentic, undisturbed and likely to stay that way". Nature seems to have spared no expense in "painting the islands". The sceneries are unforgettable with their deep-green hills and bright-blue seas, as well as colourful boats and houses, along with orange-red beaks of puffins.

Faroese people are known for their ruggedness and love of sea. The archipelago will be explored, including Torshavn - the largest and capital city of the Faroe Islands. Kirkjubour was the cultural and ecclesiastical center for the Faroes during the Middle Ages. The Bishop lived here until the Reformation when the Faroese Diocese was abolished. Saint Magnus Cathedral, built in the 13 ^th century and dominated by its Gothic ruin to this day, still stands on the site. Over the centuries, the Roykstovan has served as the Kirkjubour home for farmers. It is built on a wide stone foundation that was once a part of the Bishop’s Palace. The same Faroese families have lived in the Roykstovan for over 17 generations.

The expedition team will search for areas that are remote and difficult to reach to stop or visit. We may use the Zodiacs, the ship to explore bird cliffs.

Don't waste your time on board! Discover the unique British Isles flora & fauna. With our briefings and lectures onboard, you'll be a true expert in no-time!

We say goodbye to Leith in Edinburgh after breakfast aboard Sea Spirit. If you want to stay longer in Edinburgh, we can arrange transfers from the port to the airport and back again.