Islands of Scotland, 2024

The planned itinerary
Day 1: Flight from Germany, Switzerland or Austria to Glasgow.
Overnight stay in airport hotel. Onward journey by private coach transfer to Oban (Scottish Gaelic for “little bay”). During the journey you will enjoy the first sights of the Scottish West. Arriving in Oban, the gateway to the Hebrides, you board the Cape Race: from here we start our exploration of the fascinating Scottish islands.

Day 2 – 8: The weather conditions determine our route!
With stronger winds we head for the sheltered small islands of the Inner Hebrides.
On Iona we hike up the 101 metre high hill Dun l, visit the famous Iona Abbey, from which the Christianisation of Scotland started in the 6th century and in whose graveyard almost all Scottish kings are buried, including – probably – Macbeth. Or we can venture deep into Fingal’s Cave, the famous Staffa Cave, or climb its basalt cliffs in calm seas with the Zodiacs. Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy is said to have been inspired here to write his Hebridean Overture. With a little more wind, we anchor in the west of the Isle of Skye in Loch Dunvegan, directly in front of the still inhabited Dunvegan Castle of the MacLeod clan. We visit the imposing premises and the famous gardens. On the east side of Skye we drive to the 55 m high Kilt Rock waterfall and then to the harbour of picturesque Portree, where we enjoy legendary fish & chips.

The Outer Hebrides beckon with white beaches and wonderful walks over heath and moorland, hills and lush meadows. And then there are the lighthouses! We hike to Eilean Glas lighthouse, which has been sending its beacon across the Little Minch strait since 1789, or anchor below Neist Point, take the Zodiacs ashore and climb to the lighthouse, also known as the “most beautiful end of Scotland”. You can also visit Islay’s whisky distilleries, the parrot colonies on Lunga or the world’s third largest maelstrom, Corryvreckan, north of Jura, whose roar can be heard up to 10 nautical miles away (but which we of course only approach in calm seas). It is not unusual for schools of dolphins to accompany our ship as we sail from island to island, exploring numerous other castles, palaces, cliffs, moors, lighthouses, cosy harbours or lonely bays together with our local German-speaking expedition guides.

Day 9: Return to Oban and transfer to Glasgow.
Our exact route will depend on weather conditions and wildlife. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sights this trip has to offer. Please remember that flexibility is key to a successful expedition!