13-day expedition cruise from Scotland to Norway, sampling unique local malts from the barrel and spotting amazing wildlife and birds along the way.
Sail from Glasgow to Belfast, then discover Scotland's magnificent isles – the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetlands – before ending your cruise in Bergen, Norway.
Visit whisky distilleries on Islay, explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and be enchanted by the wild scenery and historical treasures all around.
Join MS Spitsbergen on a glorious expedition cruise from Scotland to Belfast and the Isle of Man. Follow the whisky trail in Islay, which is just as intoxicating as its peaty drams. From here, you'll explore the beautiful Outer Hebrides, Viking-influenced Orkneys and remote Shetland Islands, before sailing to Bergen.
You'll be transfixed by the rugged natural beauty of the Treshnish Isles, Iona, Skye, Fair Isle and UNESCO-listed St Kilda. Enjoy looking out for rare bird colonies, eagles, seals, and perhaps even whales.
Onboard activities
Landing activities
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
A former industrial powerhouse, Glasgow has reinvented itself as a cultural hotspot, packed with museums, galleries and parks. You can spend some time getting to know the city, and discover the splendid Art Nouveau architecture of Charles Macintosh, before your expedition cruise.
MS Spitsbergen, one of our smaller ships built for close exploration, will be waiting for you. Settle in to your cabin and explore the ship, before meeting your Expedition Team who will be your guides on your adventure ahead. Enjoy your first dinner aboard as we sail towards the Irish sea and Belfast.
We sail into Belfast, a city with a proud seafaring history, and the birthplace of the Titanic. History buffs will enjoy Ulster Museum and Belfast Castle, while nature lovers can visit the Botanic Gardens.
Stroll the cobbled streets of the chic Cathedral Quarter, with its elegant Victorian architecture, and pop inside St Anne’s Cathedral to see its wonderful mosaics. In Donegall Square, you'll find the historic landmarks of City Hall and the Grand Opera House, with its beautiful façade.
You can join optional excursions to the famous hexagonal basalt columns of The Giant’s Causeway, Gobbins Coastal Path or to the Titanic Quarter.
As we approach the Isle of Man, you’ll be struck by the imposing ruins of Peel Castle above the pretty seaside town that bears its name. Ask the Expedition Team about Moddey Dhoo, said to haunt the castle!
You'll have plenty to see on Peel, the 14th century former Manx capital. Car lovers will enjoy its vintage car museums – a nod to the island's modern racing heritage.
You can visit the House of Manannan – an homage to the mythical sea god Manannán mac Lir – to discover more about the island’s Celtic, Viking and maritime past. And don't leave before trying the local split kipper at the harbour smokehouse.
Islay is the proud home of world-famous peaty single malts – but that's far from the only reason to visit. You'll discover fascinating ancient monoliths and the enigmatic settlement of Finlaggan.
Today, Islay is a wildlife paradise, home to over 200 species of birds – including oystercatchers, gannets and Golden Eagles. From its sandy beaches, you can sometimes spot dolphins and basking sharks.
The town of Bowmore is bursting with arts and crafts – and tartan from the local woollen mill. Of course, no trip to Islay is complete without a 'wee dram' from one its nine distilleries, including Laphroaig and Ardbeg.
We continue our cruise towards Oban. Today, we'll make the most of local opportunities along the western coast of Scotland, where there are many beautiful places to explore.
We might visit Oban's busy fishing port, Dunollie Castle and Oban Distillery. Or sail to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull – a charming fishing port, instantly recognisable by its brightly coloured Georgian houses.
Depending on conditions, we'll take out small expedition boats to explore Loch Sunart – a Marine Protected Area known for otters, dolphins and porpoises. One thing’s for sure, your expert Expedition Team will make it an extraordinary day.
Your Scottish Isles adventure continues to Iona, off the coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. You can visit the restored 6th century abbey, one of Scotland's oldest and most sacred Christian pilgimage sites. Or enjoy a hike with the Expedition Team up Dun I for breathtaking views of St Columba's Bay and sip from the 'Well of Eternal Youth'.
Next, we sail to the Treshnish Isles – home to Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills and Atlantic grey seals. At nearby Fingal's Cave, you'll marvel at the hexagonal basalt columns, amazing natural acoustics, and mesmerising coloured waters.
We sail to Loch Scavaig on the Isle of Skye, where dramatic scenery surrounds you. 'The wildest scene in the Highlands' – that's how the Victorian poet Lord Tennyson described Loch Coruisk and the surrounding craggy peaks of Cuillin Mountains. We'll don our hiking boots to explore the loch together with the Expedition Team.
Our next stop is the Isle of Canna. Here, you'll find historic settlements and beautiful beaches. The spectacular sea stacks of Dun Mor and Dun Beag are home to a colony of breeding puffins, while fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, Razorbills and shags nest in the cliffs.
A visit to this UNESCO double World Heritage Site is an unforgettable experience. If conditions allow, we'll spend the day here.
One of Europe's most important seabird colonies, St Kilda's volcanic outcrops are home to thousands of nesting seabirds, including Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and over 60,000 pairs of Northern Gannets.
In 1930, St Kilda’s last residents asked to be evacuated due to the island's wild and exposed conditions. Explore the abandoned village and see the distinctive ‘cleits’ – circular stone buildings used to store peat, eggs and smoked puffin – before returning to the comfort of your ship.
Our expedition cruise arrives at Stornoway, the capital of the Isle of Lewis and Harris. As you explore its harbour, keep an eye out for seals, red deer, eagles and otters. You'll enjoy a visit to the Gothic-style Lews Castle with its immense grounds full of trails and fantastic views.
Further afield, take in the 5,000-year-old Callanish standing stones and Carloway Broch, the best preserved fort in Scotland. Enjoy coastal walks along the stunning Dalmore, Dalbeg or Garry beaches. And pick up a memento made from the Harris Tweed that's woven here.
Today we cruise to the Orkney Islands' largest town. You'll explore Kirkwall, a vibrant, Viking-influenced place that's still compact enough to cover on foot.
Visit the regal St Magnus Cathedral, made from distinctive local red sandstone, and the adjacent Earl’s Palace to see the stone ruins of this once-grand Renaissance building.
Whisky aficionados will enjoy Kirkwall's Highland Park and Scapa distilleries for their sublime single malts. If you fancy something different, Orkney Distillery produces Kirkjuvagr gin from Orcadian botanicals.
Your cruise continues in the Shetlands, as we visit Fair Isle, Britain's most remote island, known for its birds and knitwear.
A magnet for birders and wildlife photographers, the island is home to 27 bird species. It's a vital stop for migrating seabirds, drawn to the red sandstone cliffs, green fields and moors.
You can join an optional hike along breathtaking clifftop trails with the Expedition Team. Gain fascinating insights into the life and history of the 65-strong island community at the local museum. You can support Fair Islanders by buying genuine Fair Isle knitwear direct from local makers.
On our final day of Scottish exploration, we'll dock alongside Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands, to explore this friendly, Victorian-influenced fishing town, set in stunning scenery.
Navigate the narrow lanes on foot to discover little shops selling local whiskies, woollen sweaters and fudge. By the old waterfront, you’ll find the Shetland Museum, exploring the area's rich history. Nearby you can see Fort Charlotte and the regal Town Hall.
The wider island is home to remarkable Iron Age villages and the Croft House Museum, where you'll learn about the hard life of the local crofters.
Our Scottish Isles expedition cruise reaches its finale in Bergen, one of Norway's most beautiful cities. After you disembark MS Spitsbergen in the morning, we recommend spending some time exploring before returning home.
Visit UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and its colourful wooden wharfs and artisanal boutiques. Across from here, you'll find the city's famous fish market.
Round off your trip by taking the funicular up to Mount Fløyen for spectacular views of the acclaimed seven mountains, the port and the sea beyond. You can also book our optional Post-Programme, taking in the city and its surroundings.
Take a closer look at our ships typically used on this expedition
It's a mixture of adventure activities for individuals of all ages
Onboard Science Programme
Our Science Programme has one goal: to increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
Our Science Programme has one goal: to increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
Our expedition ships serve as the perfect platform for scientific research; with access to remote regions of the world and onboard experts, we can provide invaluable data to the scientific community - with help from our guests!
We invite our guests to participate in science activities, developing a greater understanding of the region in which they travel, becoming true ambassadors, and returning home to champion the protection of our planet's most fragile ecosystems.
Delivery of our own lecture programme.
Interacting with guests in our Science Centers to reinforce the lecture programme with practical hands-on guest experiences.
Citizen science programme involving guests in programmes for third-party organisations.
Carrying scientific equipment for sample collection on behalf of research institutes.
Hosting scientific personnel on board to conduct collaborative science programmes.
Seabird Distribution with the Antarctic Site Inventory — Surveys throughout the Antarctic Peninsula help scientists understand how seabirds are using different habitats and provide valuable information about their life cycles.
Cloud Observations with the Globe Program — By observing and recording cloud cover timed to NASA satellite fly-overs, guests can help scientists understand how surface and air temperature are affected by cloud cover, and how clouds will respond to a changing climate.
Happywhale — We assist in tracking individual whales throughout our world’s oceans by harnessing the power of whale watching enthusiasts - our guests - expanding our scientific knowledge of their behaviour and distribution.
Sea Leopard Project — A non-profit study aimed at a better understanding of the behaviour, ecology, and population dynamics of leopard seals on the Antarctic Peninsula to promote their conservation and safe human-seal interactions.
Fjord Phyto — Study phytoplankton to better understand how they respond to water temperature changes in the polar regions, providing a key to help mitigate future environmental impacts.
Join the Expedition Team here for a range of lectures, photography workshops, and Citizen Science Projects. The area also features scientific and educational equipment, such as microscopes and interactive maps.
In-depth talks on history, climate change, sustainability, wildlife, Earth science, culture, and other topics specific to the destination you are visiting are held here. Learning more about each subject is certain to enhance your expedition experience.
Our Science Programme has one goal: To increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
What the Science Programme is about
Learning from the experts on board
Facilities, equipment and activities
Citizen Science research projects- and how you can contribute
Speaker: Verena Meraldi
Learn more about what you can experience when going with us
Practical information you need to know
British Isles
