Isles of the North Atlantic (Ocean Victory)

Welcome to Scotland! Your adventure begins in Troon, a harbour town overlooking the waters of the Firth of Clyde. Board your ship, the Ocean Victory, and settle into your stateroom, then have a safety and orientation briefing at 5 pm. Toast to your departure as you set sail for the Inner Hebrides – an archipelago off Scotland's west coast.

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Drop anchor at Iona, a historic island that’s been a popular pilgrimage site for nearly 1500 years. In AD563, Irish saint and missionary St Columba founded Iona Abbey, thereby bringing Christianity to Scotland. Visit the Abbey Museum, which holds a collection of early medieval carved stones and crosses, and see the church as it stands today – the buildings that survive were built between the 13th and 16th centuries and still serve as an active place of worship. This afternoon, travel to Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles. See puffins and other birds like skuas, fulmars, razorbills and kittiwakes nesting – Lunga is home to over 6000 birds!

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Visit Stornoway, the capital of the Western Isles. This archipelago is known as the main stronghold of the Gaelic language – this is one of the few towns in Scotland where you can hear Gaelic being spoken on a daily basis. The impressive Calanais Stones are a highlight here – this ancient Neolithic stone circle predates Stonehenge and is thought to have been used as a ritual site for a period of over 2000 years.

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St Kilda is Britain’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed for both its human and natural wonders. The ruins of this stone village stand as a reminder of the communities who called this island home for 4000 years, living off the abundant colonies of gannets, fulmars and puffins. They left in 1930 after deeming the land too difficult to farm. You’ll see the cliffs teeming with almost a million birds, including the UK’s largest colony of puffins, and you might catch sight of the endemic St Kilda wren and the Soay sheep – a small breed of sheep that resembles its ancestor from thousands of years ago.

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Explore the lesser-known town of Vagur, located on Suduroy in the Faroe Islands. Witness clifftop vistas and see what’s probably one of the world’s most picturesque football fields, overlooked by towering basalt cliffs and separated from the coastline by a freshwater lake. This village is also known for its art galleries and workshops. The official language here is Faroese, a language descended from Old Norse – the Faroe Islands were colonised by Norse settlers around AD750.

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Spend today exploring the capital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn – known to locals as Havn. Wander through the narrow, winding streets of this cultural and financial hub. Visit the National Gallery, which houses around 2800 pieces of Faroese art, as well as the 18th-century Torshavn Cathedral, which features a vaulted ceiling and clocktower. Stroll through the preserved old town area – Tinganes – where you’ll see turf-roofed buildings and the old parliament house that overlooks the harbour.

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As you cross the Norwegian Sea, join the Expedition Team on deck for seabird-watching. You might spot guillemots, kittiwakes, gannets and puffins. Head to the Lecture Lounge for educational talks on the region’s history, culture and ecology, led by the Expedition Team. Or, maybe book a treatment at the onboard spa or relax in the hot tubs as you set sail for Iceland.

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Situated on Iceland’s scenic southeast coast, Djupivogur is framed by fjords, mountains and rich bird habitats. This harbour town dates back to the 16th century and is known for its public art, notably the Eggs of Merry Bay sculpture – each of these 34 huge granite eggs represents a bird species that nests here. You might go on a short stroll to the nearby black sand beach or hike one of the scenic trails, with plenty of birdwatching along the way.

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Arrive in Heimaey – the largest of the volcanic Westman Islands. Learn about the lava fields of Eldfell volcano which formed during an eruption in 1973 and buried part of the town. Hear the story of the locals who stayed behind to cool the lava using seawater jets to help save their community. Tonight, after a day full of exploring, join your fellow travellers for a toast to a trip well-travelled!

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After breakfast, disembark in Reykjavik and be transferred to either Reykjavik Airport or the downtown area, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay so you can see more of Reykjavik, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.