Wild Coasts of the British Isles (15-day Voyage)

As you leave Dover, relax and enjoy the views of the famous white cliffs and Dover Castle!

An attractive village surrounded by beautiful countryside, Fishguard is split into two halves by a steep winding hill, which separates the new town – situated on the cliff top with spectacular views – from the lower town and original harbour.

Fishguard has a long and storied history dating back as far as the 10th century Viking raids. It has been the site of several invasions, including what is sometimes referred to as “the last invasion of mainland Britain”, led by France at the tail end of the eighteenth century. Much of this history is still visible in Fishguard’s harbour and main street, which are a delight to explore.

Beyond its history, Fishguard also serves as a gateway to several nature walks along the Gwaun Valley, which you can choose to explore today either independently or on a guided excursion. Plant lovers might also like to explore the lovely Dyffryn Gernant Garden with its interesting mix of wild and cultivated planting, or Penlan Uchaf gardens, which is set around a working farm with views over the valley.

Rathlin is a small, sparsely-populated island – only six miles long by one mile wide – that can be easily explored on foot or by bike (bikes can be hired locally during the summer months). Flanked by high cliffs, it offers fabulous ocean views. Bird lovers will enjoy a visit to the seabird centre for close up views of a variety of birds, including the endangered corncrake and Ireland’s only pair of breeding choughs. Colonies of seabirds make their home here from April to July, including puffin, guillemot, kittiwake, razorbill and fulmar.

The tiny island of Iona is believed to be the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland, where the Irish monk St.

Colomba settled and founded Iona Abbey in the 6th-century AD. The island is still a place of pilgrimage to this day, and the restored Abbey is one of Scotland’s foremost historical sites, its ancient graveyard serving as the resting place for 48 of Scotland’s kings. Iona is also an island of great scenic beauty, and a walk to Iona’s highest point this morning will reveal fabulous views, including to the distant islands of the Outer Hebrides.

Returning to the MS Maud this afternoon, you’ll enjoy a “scenic sail-by” of the Isle of Staffa (weather conditions allowing), one of the most immediately recognisable of the Inner Hebridean islands. Staffa is honeycombed with caverns and caves, the centrepiece of which is the enormous, cathedral-like Fingal’s Cave, immortalised in Mendelssohn’s famous ‘Hebrides Overture’. Fingal’s Cave is best viewed from the sea, from where the rising basalt columns (an extension of the Giant’s Causeway in northern Ireland) and the contrasting colours of the water within the cave appear at their most impressive.

The St Kilda archipelago has many natural attractions. The outlying islands and vertical stacks – remnants of a volcanic crater – provide ledges for thousands of nesting seabirds, while the surrounding waters are home to minke whale, sharks and dolphins. There are no trees on the islands, but plant life flourishes and more than 130 flowering plants may be found, several of which are endemic.

St Kilda also hides some interesting history. The largest of the St Kilda islands, Hirta, was once home to Britain’s most remote community until it was evacuated in 1930. Some of the homes have since been restored, and a tiny museum, maintained by the National Trust for Scotland, provides a fascinating record of life on these exposed islands.

Stornoway is the capital of Lewis, which is the most northerly and largest island of the Outer Hebrides. Originally a Viking settlement, the town is now a vibrant capital with art galleries, museums, a working harbour and a bustling waterfront. It is also where the famous Harris tweed is woven! Overlooking the town is Lews Castle, built in 1847 by Sir James Matheson, who bought the entire island having made his fortune from the Chinese opium trade. Other island treasures include the Callanish Standing Stones, which archaeologists date to around 3000BC, and Carloway Broch, the remains of a pre-Roman fortification.

One of Scotland’s largest sea lochs, Linnhe is richly endowed with marine life, and with a bit of luck you may spy a dolphin, seal or porpoise as you cruise through its waters. Keen birders will also enjoy spotting for many different sea birds, as well as the rare golden eagle and white-tailed eagle.

Using Fort William as a base, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this most scenic region of the Scottish Highlands. There are a number of local points of interest. Within Fort William, the town museum, the Old Fort, and the churches of St. Andrew & St. Mary can be explored independently. Within easy reach of Fort William is Glenfinnan (with its fantastic 1000ft long viaduct), the Caledonian Canal, the pretty village of Glencoe, and the remains of Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness.

Also within easy reach of Fort William, Glen Nevis offers a short walking trail through Nevis Gorge to Steall Falls, which drops 120 metres into the open valley below. The Nevis Distillery at the foot of the mountain is the perfect place to stop and enjoy a “wee dram”!

Islay was once the seat of the MacDonald clan, Lords of the Isles, ensuring its prominent place in Scottish history. Today, Islay is best known as a centre of whiskey production, home to several distilleries producing fine single malt whisky. Joining a whiskey tour, taking in several distilleries, is a great way to explore the island and learn more about its history.

For those less inclined towards whiskey, Islay also has many natural attractions! One of the largest of the Hebridean Islands, it has superb cliff-top walks and is a stop off point for migratory birds, making it popular with bird watchers.

The small settlement of Bowmore is the de facto capital of Islay, and a friendly place with a small selection of shops and a round church.

With more than 100 miles of stunning coastline and rugged cliffs, the Isle of Man has been designated a Biosphere Reserve in recognition of its coastal and marine ecosystems. Inland, the island’s scenery of rolling hills and moorland is spectacular, especially in spring and summer when wildflowers are abundant.

Disembarking in Douglas, you’ll have the day to explore the island, learning about its Celtic and Viking heritage, and enjoying its natural attractions. There is much to see and do: discover the island’s medieval castles and abbeys; take a ride on the steam train; or just enjoy strolling through the town of Douglas at your leisure.

Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 10th century. Much evidence of this era survives to this day. Visitors to Waterford may explore the Viking Triangle, named for the ancient Viking walls which once surrounded the area. Other historic treasures include Reginald’s Tower, a remnant of the era of Viking settlement on Waterford; the French church, a former Franciscan friary built in the 13th-century; and the Mayor’s Wine Vault, the oldest wine vault in Ireland. Also of interest is the Waterford Copper Coast (so named because of the old copper mines in the area), a UNESCO Geopark which stretches for 25kms encompassing beautiful beaches, cliffs and coves.

Today you’ll have the option to explore Tresco, the second largest of the Isles of Scilly. Tresco is home to the famous Tresco Abbey Garden, with its huge collection of over 20,000 plants, spread over 17 acres of sub-tropical paradise. Also within the garden is the Valhalla Museum, containing figureheads from early steamships and sailing vessels which were wrecked on the rocks surrounding the islands. If time allows, you might also like to participate in a clean-up of the local beach.

Another option is a cruise around the islands, giving you the opportunity to observe puffins alongside many other seabirds and old shipwreck sites.

There are so many walks to choose from here, including the “Hall Walk” along Pont Pill creek with views of picturesque Fowey harbour, or a stroll along the esplanade to the sandy beach at Readymoney Cove. From here, you may continue the 1-mile walk (please note that the last section is steep) to St Catherine’s Castle, which is one of a pair of artillery forts built by Henry VIII in the 1530s. The views from the castle are fabulous!

Portland has a long history. Evidence of Roman occupation can be seen in the stone ‘bee-hive’ chambers and sarcophagi scattered around the island, though even more visible is Portland’s medieval era history, which can be seen in Rufus Castle and St. Andrew’s Church on the eastern cliffs, and in 16th-century Portland Castle, which was built during the reign of Henry VIII. Also of note is the early 20th-century lighthouse on Portland Bill, which still functions. All of these heritage sites welcome visitors.

Coastal walks on Portland are a delight, with lovely scenery to enjoy. The island is home to almost 300 species of birds, including rare migratory birds, as well as 30 species of butterfly.

Enjoy a final breakfast on board the MS Maud before disembarking in Dover.