Day 1

Oban. Embark the MS Quest in the afternoon and sail. Transportation will be provided from Glasgow rail station and airport to Oban.

Day 2

Mingulay, Berenay, Pabbay and Barra. The day starts circumnavigating the uninhabited islands at the tip of South Uist. Making good use of the Zodiacs, you will explore the islands and make beach landings. Later, cruise past the south side of Mingulay which is one of the largest gannetries in Europe. The day will finish with a call at Castle Bay on Barra with its stunning Kisimul Castle.

Day 3

St Kilda. Arrive in the morning at St Kilda, a remarkable uninhabited archipelago some fifty miles beyond the Outer Hebrides. Weather permitting the ship will drop anchor off Village Bay on the island of Hirta and you will be able to wander through the village.

Day 4

Lerwick, Shetland. Drive out to the fascinating site of Jarlshof, where you will see the remains of 3000 year-old Stone Age settlements, through the Bronze and Iron Ages to the Viking times.

Day 5

At sea.

Day 6

Nordfjord. Here you will find the very essence of the fjord country, with many side fjords, waterfalls and lakes. The ship will drop anchor at the village of Olden and travel up the beautiful Olden Valley. Where the road ends you can continue on foot or by troll car to the great cascade of water, which rushes from beneath the Briksdal Glacier.

Day 7

Stadlandet. Just off the Stad Peninsula is the historically important small island of Selje. Here you will visit the Selje Cloister and the remains of a Viking settlement. There will also be time to explore this beautiful area by Zodiac.

Day 8

Torghatten and Lovund. Mount Torghatten is one of the most famous landmarks on the Norwegian coast. A fairly strenuous optional walk will take you to the ‘hole’ in the mountain which has been eroded by the sea. The afternoon will be full of spectacular sights as the ship head for Lovund.

Day 9 and 10

Lofoten Islands. The Lofoten Archipelago is an enchanting area of picturesque villages with jagged granite mountain peaks forming a dramatic backdrop. Sail past Rost to Vaeroy for a brief visit then continue to the enchanting village of Reine.

Day 11

At Sea.

Day 12

Bear Island. Cruise through the rich waters of the Barents Sea looking out for minke and humpback whales, dolphins and all manner of sea birds. We will approach Bear Island, a fantastic bird island populated by thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots and gulls

Day 13 to 15

Spitsbergen. A place of deep fjords, mountains and massive sheets of ice that cover much of the land, Spitsbergen is home to a wonderful assortment of wildlife; walrus, seal, reindeer, Arctic fox and Polar bear. Our itinerary will be flexible to allow us to take advantage of the local conditions.

Day 16

Longyearbyen to London. Disembark and return to London by scheduled flight via Oslo.