Our only sea day of the voyage was an absolute gem, with calm seas and blue skies. The hotel team put on a special barbeque on deck while we searched the seas for marine life and enjoyed the stunning landscapes of the west of Ireland. Our search for whales at the continental shelf-edge to the west of Donegal eventually paid off, as we found a pod of long-finned pilot whales just before sunset.
5/4/2025
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Lerwick, Scotland
We spent the morning cruising and enjoyed a presentation from our field staff in addition to spectacular views of the rugged Shetland coast and incredible birdwatching. We were lucky enough to cruise by the Isle of Noss. The dramatic cliffs were teeming with gannets while skuas and fulmars flew by. From there, we docked in Lerwick on mainland Shetland and went ashore for a variety of excursions. These included a visit to Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and hikes to admire the landscape. Another highlight was Jarlshof, a spectacular archaeological site featuring structures from various time periods that date back over four thousand years. Some guests opted to stay in town for a walking tour of Lerwick. After dinner on board, we were treated to a performance from local musicians Maurice Henderson and Friends. Tonight, we continue our journey with our sights set on the Orkney Islands tomorrow.
