Norway and Scotland

Arrive in Aberdeen by plane or train and transfer to our hotel, a luxury country hideaway located in scenic Royal Deeside.

After breakfast, set out for King’s College, founded in 1495. Then take a walking tour of Old Aberdeen to see St. Machar’s Cathedral, a stunning 12th-century church where we hear about the area’s medieval origins and its connection to academia. At the Aberdeen Gin Distillery School, we learn about the craft of gin making during a special tour and curated gin tasting. Later this evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner.

This morning, visit Crathes Castle and Gardens. The 16th-century tower house is surrounded by beautiful walled gardens with intricate topiary. The family, who resided in the castle for over 350 years, are known to have roots in the area dating back to 1323. Next, travel to the ruins of Dunnottar Castle, perched on a 160-foot rocky headland. Surrounded by the North Sea, this medieval fortress offers panoramic views and a glimpse into Scotland’s storied past. Enjoy lunch independently in the charming harbor town of Stonehaven before we embark our ship from the Port of Aberdeen.

Spend a relaxing morning at sea before arriving in the Shetland capital this afternoon. Here, we each pick our choice of two excursions:

1. Visit the archaeological site of Jarlshof. Uncovered by a violent storm in the winter of 1896/7, this extraordinary settlement site embraces at least 5,000 years of human history. See late Neolithic houses, a Bronze-Age village, an Iron-Age broch and wheelhouses, several Norse longhouse, a Medieval farmstead, and the 16th-century laird’s house.

2. Join a walking tour of the historic port and narrow stone lanes before visiting the Shetland Museum, which features artifacts from shipwrecks and the whaling era.

Our lecture program continues aboard the Hebridean Sky this morning as we cross the North Sea to Norway. After arriving in Stavanger, spend the afternoon strolling the small and charming harbor lined with traditional wooden buildings. Old Stavanger has nearly 200 small white wooden houses that are now galleries, museums, and shops. A late departure time allows additional time to explore independently and the possibility of independent dinner ashore.

We arrive into Hardangerfjord, the third largest fjord in the world, in the morning. After anchoring and using Zodiacs to land at Rosendal, drive along the fjord towards Maurangerfjord and through the idyllic landscape to Langfoss waterfall. Take a scenic walk to Bondhus Lake before returning to the ship for lunch. This afternoon, relax on board or Zodiac back into town to explore independently, perhaps seeing the 12th-century Kvinnherad Church, Stone Park, or the gardens at Barony Rosendal.

The morning is spent cruising through scenic Sognefjord to the small village of Vikoyri. After lunch on board, venture into town to see Hopperstad Stave Church, the oldest stave church built in 1130; the 12th-century Hove Stone Church; and the nearby Moahaugane burial mounds from 200–400 CE. Sample the local cheese known as “gamalost” that has been made since Viking times and is still in production at the local dairy.

Drive from the charming village of Loen to the Kjenndalen Valley for a small boat ride to experience Loen Lake. Go ashore for homemade Norwegian waffles, then continue to a scenic viewpoint to see an arm of the mighty Jostedal Glacier, the largest in mainland Europe. Return to the Hebridean Sky for lunch on board, followed by free time on the ship or in Loen.

Spend the morning in Alesund, a vibrant coastal town renowned for its striking Art Nouveau architecture, built after a fire in 1904. Surrounded by fjords and mountains, Alesund also serves as a gateway to the Sunnmøre Alps and offers stunning panoramic views from Mount Aksla, reached by climbing 418 steps. In the late afternoon, cruise by the bird cliffs at Runde, one of the largest nesting cliffs in Norway, home to half a million birds including puffins and gannets.

Cruise through Dalsfjord, a little-known fjord arm, and then take an excursion overland to Sunnfjord, Norway’s “waterfall country.” Visit the Sunnfjord Museum, which provides insight into early local settlements in the 1800s, before a scenic drive to Huldefossen and Likholefossen waterfalls. Return to the ship via Hestadfjord, where the 19th-century Hestad Church is located.

This morning, arrive in Haugesund, the home of the Viking kings and the base of power for Harald Fairhair when he united Norway into a single kingdom. Visit the 13th-century St. Olav’s Church and the Nordvegen Heritage Centre. This afternoon, choose independent exploration or a guided visit to Skudeneshavn, a charming fishing village with wooden houses dating from the 1700s and 1800s, as well as its Maelandsgarden Museum.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea on the return to Scotland. This evening, we gather to toast our journey at a special farewell reception before the Captain’s farewell dinner.

After breakfast, disembark the ship and join a group transfer to the Aberdeen airport or the railway station.