Navigating the Scottish Isles and Ireland
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Navigating the Scottish Isles and Ireland
10 Days Starting in Aberdeen, United Kingdom and ending in Ireland
Visiting: Southampton, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Slieve League, Connemara National Park, Liverpool
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 16
Age range:
12-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Enjoy a remarkable nine-night voyage of discovery and witness first-hand the rugged beauty that Scotland and Ireland have to offer, right on your doorstep. This unforgettable journey proves that you don't need to board an aircraft to far-off lands to experience breathtaking landscapes.
Your journey begins with a scenic walk from Stonehaven to the iconic Dunnottar Castle. As you hike along the coastal path, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the North Sea, passing the War Memorial before arriving at the dramatic cliffside ruins of the castle, steeped in history, and surrounded by stunning natural beauty.
Next, you’ll hop ashore in Lerwick, where the Shetland Islands unfold before you, inviting exploration. Enthusiastic local guides will lead you to St. Ninian's Island, where stunning coastal scenery and excellent bird-watching opportunities await.
Then, immerse yourself in the folklore-rich Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands. Wander across picturesque moorlands to the renowned Scara Brae, where history comes alive amidst ancient ruins.
Continuing south, your journey takes you to Killybegs, a charming fishing village in Ireland. Here, you can explore the dramatic coastline and visit the stunning Slieve League Cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
Your adventure then brings you to Galway, a city known for its vibrant culture and historic charm. Take a walk through the wild beauty of Connemara National Park. The park offers trails, where you can immerse yourself in the rugged landscapes, heather-covered hills, and panoramic views that define this breathtaking part of Ireland.
Discover the wild and rugged allure of Scotland and Ireland, all within the comfort of a nine-night cruise. Don’t miss the chance to explore the natural wonders and rich heritage of these magnificent regions.
Highlights
Itinerary
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Day 1 : Welcome Aboard!
Location: Southampton
Accommodation Name: Borealis (Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines)
Meals Included: Dinner
Board your ship at the Southampton port and set sail in the early evening. Check in for your cruise begins one hour prior to embarkation and embarkation at the cruise terminal usually begins three hours before departure and closes one hour prior to sailing. At port you will be greeted by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ staff, including porters who will arrange for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin. There will be a letter from your Ramblers Cruise & Walk Holidays’ leader in your cabin informing you of the place and time for you to meet the rest of the group that evening.
Day At Sea
Location: Aberdeen
Accommodation Name: On Board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Our first full day at sea gives us some time to relax and make the most of your ships on board entertainment. Throughout the day there is plenty to do on board while you get to know your attentive crew and they get to know you.
Day 3 : Abrerdeen, Scotland
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Accommodation Name: On Board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Walks
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 3 hours
Ascent: 150
Descent: 150
You travel from Aberdeen port to Stonehaven by coach, and it's best to sit on the left side for the most stunning coastal views. Keep an eye out for the occasional deer in the fields close to the road. Once you arrive in Stonehaven, walk down to the seafront and take a stroll along the boardwalk; be sure to explore the picturesque harbour.
For your walk, head south, gradually climbing out of the town to reach the War Memorial. It's a fitting monument, and from this vantage point, you'll have panoramic sea views with plenty of benches where you can pause to take it all in. From here, continue on to the impressive Dunnottar Castle. On return back to Aberdeen take time to wander the town at your leisure. miles
Day 4 : Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Location: Lerwick
Accommodation Name: On Board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Walks
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 2.5 hours
Ascent: 100
Descent: 100
Today we come ashore in Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, the most northerly outpost of the British Isles. After meeting our local guide we have a forty-five minute drive to St Ninian’s Isle on the South Mainland of Shetland. The island is joined to the ‘mainland’ by a sand causeway ‘tombolo’ and is famous for the St Ninian’s Isle Treasure, a hoard of silver discovered under the floor of an early church in 1958. The island boasts marvellous coastal scenery and lots of birds. Our guide takes us around the St Ninian’s Isle telling lots of old stories about shipwrecks and smugglers.
After the walk there should be time to explore Lerwick. miles
Day 5 : Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
Location: Kirkwall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Walks
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 3.5 hours
Ascent: 100
Descent: 100
130 miles north of Aberdeen in the Orkney Islands sits Kirkwall, rich in folklore. From the ship we take a coach across the island of Mainland to the Kitchener Memorial dedicated to Lord Kitchener and the crew of the HMS Hampshire which tragically sank nearby. We walk across moorland and along cliffs to Scara Brae prehistoric village, on arrival there should be time for a visit before returning to the ship.
Occasional changes to the ship’s schedule mean we cannot guarantee there will be time to visit Scara Brae, so we do not include the entrance ticket (around £9) in the price of the cruise miles
Day At Sea
Location: Slieve League
Accommodation Name: On Board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Take time to relax and recharge the batteries making the most of the on board entertainment, eating at the ship's restaurants, perhaps reading in your cabin or strolling the deck.
Day 7 : Killybegs, Ireland
Location: Slieve League
Accommodation Name: On Board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Walks
Distance: 4.4 miles
Time: 3 hours
Ascent: 420
Descent: 420
Although Killybegs is known for having the biggest carpet loom in the world we will leave that behind and take the Pilgrim’s Path on Slieve League.
This is quite a tough walk for grade 4, but we have plenty of time, for the most part the path is broad and well made, and we return the same way.
The cliffs of Slieve League at 609m are amongst the highest sea cliffs in Europe. We normally stop at the plateau about 1km from from the summit, from where on a clear day you can see all the way to Sligo and the mountains on the Mayo coast. miles
Day 8 : Galway, Ireland
Location: Connemara National Park
Accommodation Name: On Board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Walks
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 5 hours
Ascent: 100
Descent: 100
Famous for the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and the Aran Islands, it is however the wild beauty of Connemara National Park we have come for! Walk up Diamond Hill through some scenic mountain expanse of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands, with views of some of the Park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, all part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. miles
Day 9 : At Sea
Location: Liverpool
Accommodation Name: On Board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Our final full day is at sea making the most of all your floating hotel has to offer. Maybe some walking around the decks or stopping for a drink in one of the bars on board. Why not join in with the crew and other fellow cruisers in some deck games? There is plenty to do on your final day.
Day 10 : Disembarkation Day
Location: Liverpool
Meals Included: Breakfast
We arrive back at your embarkation port around 07.00 for disembarkation after breakfast.
What's Included
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Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on most days of the tour.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided on board the Borealis (Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines) for the duration of the tour.
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Guided Walks
Guided walks are included at various locations such as Stonehaven, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Killybegs, and Connemara National Park.
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Transportation
Transportation from the ship to various walking locations is included.
What's Not Included
Entrance FeesEntrance fees to certain attractions, such as Scara Brae, are not included in the price of the cruise.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style aboard the Borealis cruise ship, providing a seamless journey across the Scottish Isles and Ireland. Enjoy the scenic views from the comfort of the ship, with additional coach transfers for onshore excursions.
Accommodation
Enjoy your stay aboard the Borealis from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, offering comfortable accommodations throughout the journey. Experience the convenience of staying on board as you explore the stunning landscapes of the Scottish Isles and Ireland.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation is provided on board the Borealis from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for the duration of the tour, offering comfortable accommodations as you explore the Scottish Isles and Ireland.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on most days of the tour.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes travel aboard the Borealis cruise ship, with additional coach transfers for onshore excursions to various walking locations.
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Are guided walks included in the tour?
Yes, guided walks are included at various locations such as Stonehaven, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Killybegs, and Connemara National Park.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour price?
No, entrance fees to certain attractions, such as Scara Brae, are not included in the price of the cruise.
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What can I expect on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will board your ship at the Southampton port and set sail in the early evening. Check-in begins one hour prior to embarkation, and you will be greeted by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ staff, including porters who will arrange for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin.
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What activities are available on the days at sea?
During the days at sea, you can relax and enjoy the ship's onboard entertainment, get to know the crew, and participate in various activities such as deck games or enjoying a drink in one of the bars.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Once you have paid your deposit, and all of the elements of your holiday are confirmed, we will provide a Confirmation of Booking and Invoice Pack. The confirmation of booking confirms your holiday arrangements, any special requests, and the balance due date. Please take the time to check this document carefully and please let us know immediately if there are any inaccuracies. As part of this pack, you’ll also receive a Holiday Information Sheet with more detail about your holiday. We will send reminder(s) for any missing details, which are important for your booking, so please update us as soon as you can. A MONTH BEFORE DEPARTURE Now’s the time to really start looking forward to your holiday, and 3-4 weeks before departure we’ll send out any updated information relating to your trip, including any local information. If you have any questions regarding your holiday arrangements, please get in touch with us. THREE WEEKS BEFORE DEPARTURE We aim to send out your Travel Documents and joining instructions 3 weeks before departure, please take the time to read through these documents and note your up-to-date flight schedules (if/where relevant), check-in times, and luggage allowance.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You may be able to change your dates. Please refer to Section 5 of our Booking Conditions for more details or message us for assistance. Note that charges and limitations may apply.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
It’s a condition of booking that you obtain adequate travel insurance, from a reputable provider, to undertake the holiday, including UK trips chiefly due to the cancellation element of cover. The policy must cover the period from the date of booking to the last day of your trip and should include, as a minimum, cover for: medical expenses (including the consequences of a Covid positive test result), mountain rescue including helicopter rescue, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment and shall not have exclusion clauses limiting cover for the activities you will partake in on your trip, including altitudes reached in the holiday arrangement. It is your responsibility to check that your policy is adequate for the nature and destination of the holiday booked. Once you have obtained your travel insurance, please provide us with the name of your travel insurer, the policy number and the insurer’s 24 hour emergency assistance number. In the event that you fail to obtain suitable Travel Insurance we shall not be liable for any costs incurred or claims made against us due to your failure to comply with this term. If travelling outside the UK you must carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested to do so by Ramble Worldwide staff, tour leaders or suppliers. No refunds will be made should you be excluded from the walking programme through being uninsured or you being unable to demonstrate that you are insured.
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Low Deposit
Ramble Worldwide requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of ramble worldwide charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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