EUROPE - SCOTLAND : SCOTTISH ISLAND HOPPING IN COMFORT
by Ursula & Elrid Retief



The Hebridean Princess nudged serenely into its overnight anchorage in the Sound of Islay (pronounced Eye-la) which separates this green, low-lying isle off the west coast of Scotland from its nearest neighbour, smaller, wilder and hillier Jura.

With the richest bird life in the Hebrides, Islay has a huge population of barnacle and white-fronted geese and otters that haunt its shores, although it is probably more renowned for the peaty malt whisky produced at its seven working distilleries.

It was the fourth of Scotland's Western Isles the Hebridean Princess and its 49 passengers had touched in two days.

At Mull we had climbed the ancient worn steps to the top of the keep in Duart Castle, the seat of the Clan Maclean for over seven centuries – Scotland's turbulent history has left an enduring mark on the landscape in the many castles, fortresses and tower houses that pepper the countryside. We visited the prisoners coughing in the dungeons in Duart Castle, admired the wonderful display of Highland weapons, heard the story of the Cromwellian shipwreck, and strolled around the lovely grounds.

At Iona, where St. Columba landed in AD563 bringing Christianity to Scotland, we had been mesmerized by the spiritual atmosphere of the restored 12th century abbey and monastic buildings and by the superb collection of over 180 medieval and religious carved stones. Nearby are the remains of the 13th century nunnery. The Iona Heritage Centre displays information that reflects the crofting, fishing and Islanders' life over the past 200 years.

At Jura, perhaps the wildest and barest of Britain’s inhabited islands, inhabited by some 5,000 red deer and home to a hundred bird species, wild goats, rabbits, stoats, otters and seals, we took time out at the picturesque village of Craighouse to try the island's single malt whisky before we paid a visit to the farmhouse where George Orwell wrote "1984".

For many, the appeal of cruising lies in the the ports-of-call and the excursions, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see an historic site, to briefly experience a lifestyle unlike one’s own, and to return to their welcoming travelling home.

The all-inclusive Hebridean Princess does this in spades as it visits some of Scotland's 790 islands, with the added joy that all excursions and entrance fees to all attractions shown in its itineraries are free – how often do you get that?

The Hebridean Princess cruises the Inner and Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland, and the Orkneys and the Shetland isles which lie to the northeast of the mainland.

The 150 mile-long island chain that is the Inner and Outer Hebrides, only 30 miles from the Scottish mainland, shares a rugged natural beauty, with unspoilt beaches, plentiful wildlife and a unique culture and traditions. There are not many places where you will find such diversity of landscapes and species, arts, crafts and music. We got close to nature: dolphins alongside, seals or puffins or a guided walk to mix with otters, buzzards or deer.

The northern archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland share many of the Hebridean qualities and supplement them with some of the most fascinating and, at times, awesome archaeological sites in Europe, found in the burial mounds, stone circles and settlements of the earliest peoples. The islands' Norse heritage is evident everywhere although today's invasions tend to be from the thousands of birds and other wildlife that make their home in these magical isles.

Orkney is the amateur archaeologist's ideal destination. Part of mainland Orkney has been declared a World Heritage Site because of the richness of its prehistoric sites. For example, at Maes Howe, visitors wonder at the skills of the stone masons who built this large tomb some 5,000 years ago. Nearby stand the eerie stone circles at Stenness and Brodgar while further west you can marvel at the sunken Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae overlooking the Bay of Skaill. In fact, almost every one of the islands can boast some prehistoric relic or find.

The surprising and diverse Shetland, a group of over one hundred islands provides a stimulating and an inspiring holiday experience. Soothing sand beaches, mesmerizing sheer cliffs, enthralling wildlife, astounding archaeology and a compelling culture combine to create the Shetland experience.

And the warmth of the island people is almost overwhelming ..... not unlike the ambiance of the Hebridean Princess.

Photo: courtesy Hebridean International Cruises



SCRIBBLES ETECTERAS

Hebridean International Cruises, the Small cruise Ship Company, has two ships: The 49-guest Hebridean Princess sails to many Scottish Isles and to Northern Ireland, and Norway; her sister ship, the 80-guest Hebridean Spirit provides opportunities to visit more distant destinations with itineraries designed to follow the sun from the northernmost extremities of Norway, North and Baltic Seas, the Mediterranean, to the tropics of the Indian Ocean.

For further information visit Hebridean Island Cruises at www.hebridean.co.uk. For reservations email reservations@hebridean.co.uk

For holiday information, see VisitBritain’s website: www.visitbritain.com/ca or visit www.visitscotland.com for information on Scotland.
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