Islands of Uk Eire Cruise

   
 
 

Islands on the Edge Cruise

Uk, Eire & Scotland Cruise

15 Days / 19 locations in United Kingdom, England, Ireland, and Scotland

From the south of England to the Hebrides this is a journey of cultural and natural history delights. For the avid birder there are many opportunities to see large numbers of gannets, fulmars, kittiwakes, cormorants, guillemots and puffins. Almost daily are new archaeological experiences from Bants Carn to blackhouses. The rugged coast was a challenge for man and nature alike to eke out an existence and shows the adaptability of both man and nature. This expedition cruise takes place in spring a time of abundance, hope and growth.

Please be advised that the embarkation point for the upcoming Islands on the Edge – UK, Eire & Scotland program (May 3-17, 2011) is now Portland, Dorset. Trains from London to Weymouth (nearest station to Portland) depart at a number of times during the day and takes approximately 3 hours. The bus is also an option but takes longer at approximately 6 hours. Upon arrival to Weymouth passengers can catch a bus or taxi to Portland (8 km / 5 miles).

Please not that the 2012 departure will be a 14 day cruise.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Portland, Dorset
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Dinner

The ship awaits you in the picturesque town of Portland. if you have time, it is well worth coming here a few days early to enjoy the charm of this area.

 
Day 2     Isles of Scilly
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

On these beautiful windswept islands is a climate that is humid yet with a lot of sunshine and blessed with very clean air and waters. This creates a home to amazing flora especially in the Abbey Gardens of Tresco, as well as plenty of bird life. On St. Marys Island is the Neolithic Bants Cairn and charming Hugh Town.

 
Day 3     Skellig Islands - Dingle Peninsula
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A remote pinnacle of rocks off the coast of Ireland, the Skellig Rocks (UNESCO heritage site) is home to an abandoned cliffside monastery as well as a gannet colony. There is time in the afternoon to explore Dingle Peninsula.

 
Day 4     Aran Islands
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

In early morning we get the best view of the Cliffs of Mohar from the sea. Onshore at Inishmore on Aran Island, find the namesake sweaters, charming stone walled fields, and Dun Aengus, a stunning Bronze Age fort perched atop a 90 metre cliff.

 
Day 5     Donegal Bay
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

In County Donegal, set off from Killybegs to Glencolmcille to see examples of rural Irish homes through the ages. Later there is time to explore Killybegs perhaps the carpet factory or local pub!

 
Day 6     Hebrides - Gigha Island
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Enjoy the morning light in the gardens of Achamore House on the island of Gigha. Time on the Isle of Islay is divided between a visit to the Ardbeg Distillery – a whisky noted for its “peaty” flavour and a visit to Kildalton Cross and Chapel. The cross is a wonderful eighth-century Celtic ringed cross.

 
Day 7     Hebrides - Staffa
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

With high hopes for a calm day, the visit to Fingal’s Cave on Staffa could be on foot or by Zodiac. Nearby Iona is home to a grand abbey and burial ground for 62 Scottish Kings. It is reputed to be the starting point of the spread of early Christianity through northern the British Isles.

 
Day 8     Hebrides
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Stroll the lanes of tranquil Isle of Colonsay to the Iron Age fort. In Loch Tarbet of Isle of Jura find intriguing raised beaches and caves.

 
Day 9     Skye - Rum
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

On the south coast of Isle of Skye visit Loch Scavaig to search for a seal colony and to see dramatic views of the Cuillins, long felt to be the spiritual heart of Skye. The afternoon’s visit to Rum is light-hearted with a visit to the quirky Kinloch Castle

 
Day 10     St. Kilda
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Once described as “the edge of the world” the remote island of St Kilda has UNESCO World Heritage status for both natural and cultural significance. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, the resourceful St. Kildans lived by harvesting the seabirds in this harsh environment. Blackhouses and other remnants still remain. The St. Kildan archipelago is home of the world’s largest northern gannet population (65,000 breeding pairs) as well as St. Kilda wrens, Arctic skuas and Fulmars. Enjoy the afternoon cruise around the sea stacks to see this wildlife spectacle.

 
Day 11     Lewis
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Landing at Stornoway, the focus today is on archaeology. Visit the standing stones of Calanish, the Dun Carloway broch and the traditional blackhouses of Gearrannan.

 
Day 12     Poolewe
Meals: Breakfast

Across the water from Poolewe is Interewe Gardens with surprising flora at this northern latitude due to the Gulf Stream. Further north along the coast lies the island of Handa, managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust with over 200,000 birds returning each year. The high cliffs of the sandstone Stack an Seabhaig (hawk's stack) is the most densely populated area.

 
Day 13     Shetland Islands - Lerwick
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Landing on the mainland of the Shetland Islands, visit the archaeological sites of Jarlshoff and Old Scatness. There is time after this to amble the cobbled streets of Lerwick. The last planned event for the day is a late day landing at Mousa Broch.

 
Day 14     Kirkwall - Orkney Islands
On Board the M/V Polar Star
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The Orkney islands are home to many bird species, fine local craftsmanship and exquisite archaeological and historic treasures – plan to visit Ring of Brodgar, standing stones of Stennes, Skara Brae, and more recent 13th Century, Magnus Cathedral in the town of Kirkwall.

 
Day 15     Dundee
Meals: Breakfast

Disembark in the “City of Discovery” (Scott’s exploration ship), Dundee.

 

Notes

(Please note that this is our planned itinerary – actual execution is subject to weather and scheduling limitations. PSE reserves the right to adjust the itinerary as needed without recourse.)

Price Includes
Tour Escort
Sightseeing and Entrances Per Itinerary
Shore Excursions
Accommodations in Select Cabin Category
Meals Daily Shipboard
Onboard Boot Rental
Port Charges & Tax
Pse Expedition Jacket
Price Does Not Include
 Fuel Surcharges
POL-1269
1.28.15.WP26