Through the North Atlantic

It all begins in Aberdeen. Granite City, Scotland, is an opulent city with a rich history and beautiful architecture. Aberdeen was originally a Scottish fishing city and ship-building center. It is now the UK's largest oil and gas port. The gleaming buildings are proof that Aberdeen, the financial hub of Northern Scotland is a city with a rich history.

Our guests are waiting for the expedition ship to arrive in busy port. The cozy rooms will be ready. Following safety protocol, the expedition ship will depart Aberdeen to navigate towards Orkney's historical Isles.

We'll be sailing through the night along the North-East coast of Scotland to Kirkwall, Orkney's capital. Orkney, an island located off the Scottish mainland, is windy. Orkney is an old Norse word meaning "seal islands". Orkney, like many North Atlantic Islands, has a fascinating Viking history.

Orkney has a long and rich history. Orkney has the world's largest collection of Neolithic ruin sites. The soft blowing of the beaches on the islands has preserved them. Sites include Brodgar's impressive stone circles and Skara Brae's intimate Neolithic houses. The sites are so well preserved that it looks like the homes were still in use. Orkney and Shetland, as well as the Scottish mainland, were never colonised norsemen, but instead were part of Norway between the 1500s to the late 1800s. These islands are different from Scotland in terms of language, architecture, and culture. Glasgow's locals are proud of their Nordic heritage. The Nordic heritage is evident throughout the city. The St Magnus' Cathedral is an example of this. It is described as one of the few churches in the city with its very own dungeon.

These islands were of major military importance to Britain in recent years. Scapa Flow, just outside the city limits, is where an entire German fleet was scuttled. The barricades between the islands were constructed after a daring U Boat attack during World War II. These barricades and the Italian chapel built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II bear testimony to the rich history of these islands.

Orkney has reinvented its self. There is a busy port with equipment for wind and tidal energy.

Highlights of Orkney:

Kirkwall will be our starting point. We travel west towards Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. Travelling through the rolling countryside, we will reach the Neolithic Heartland. This area has been declared a World Heritage Site due to its many prehistoric archaeological sites. We will stop at the Ring of Brdgar after passing by the Standing Stones of Stenness, an ancient 5000-year old ceremony circle.

We continue to Stromness, an attractive fishing village. After orientation, you can explore the harbor and stroll the streets. The newly renovated Pier Arts Centre features local and international artists' exhibitions. Enjoy a hot beverage in a local cafe, or visit the craft shops selling pottery and knitwear.

Then we return to the coach and continue our circular route, which follows the coast along Scapa Flow – the British Naval Base famed for its role in World War II.

This excursion is part of a package that you can choose to add on and was not included in the trip cost.

We can organize a tour for you if you're staying in Kirkwall. This will take place at St. Magnus Cathedral and the Bishops Palaces, including the ruins.