Scotland The Faroe Islands and Iceland North Atlantic Saga

Your North Atlantic Adventure Begins

Be sure to take advantage of Glasgow’s best—there’s incredible street art, cathedrals, botanical gardens, whisky distilleries and hop-on and hop-off bus tours to bounce you around the city.

After a day of independent exploration in Glasgow, we will meet at our rendezvous point and take a bus transfer to the Oban port to embark the Ocean Nova for our evening departure. Oban has a deep maritime history and was once a major shipbuilding and import hub.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

A Bird’s Eye View

As we cruise the southwestern shore of this large Inner Hebrides island, keep your binoculars trained on the coastline for species like common sandpiper, oystercatcher, gannets and razorbills. 

The natural wow factor of Skye’s verdant landscapes are a magnet for photographers and hikers alike. There will be a few active options to choose from today—from casual walks to more demanding treks in the famed time-scraped Cuillin Hills. The island’s fairytale rock formations and blanket of jade green hills are unlike any other.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

Heritage and Heart

Barra has a history rich with legend. It is the ancestral home of Clan MacNeil, whose chiefs once ruled from the striking Kisimul Castle—still standing proudly just offshore from the village of Castlebay.

Today, Barra thrives as a vibrant island community deeply rooted in its Gaelic heritage. Visitors are welcomed into a culture that blends tradition with warmth, surrounded by landscapes of white-sand beaches, rolling green hills, and sea views that stir the soul.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

History Comes Alive

Step ashore in Stornoway, the bustling capital of the Isle of Lewis and a proud Gaelic stronghold. Stroll through the town’s charming shops and discover the craftsmanship of world-renowned Harris Tweed, still handwoven by islanders today.

We’ll journey back thousands of years at the Calanais Standing Stones—an extraordinary Stone Age site steeped in myth. Local legend tells that these towering stones were once giants, turned to stone for refusing to embrace Christianity.

Continue to the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, where history comes alive. Wander through restored stone cottages, glimpse traditional island life, and watch artisans demonstrate time-honoured skills, including Harris Tweed weaving.

End the day at Dun Carloway Broch, a remarkable Iron Age fortress rising dramatically from a rocky hilltop. Standing nearly nine metres tall, it offers a striking window into Scotland’s ancient past.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

Wildlife Watching

Spend a restorative day at sea as we chart a course toward the Faroe Islands. Your voyage will be enriched with engaging presentations and hands-on workshops from our expert expedition team, offering deeper insight into the North Atlantic’s dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.

Scan the waves for Risso’s dolphins, their pale-grey bodies breaking the surface, or keep watch for bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the occasional minke whale. Above, the skies are rarely still—northern gannets, guillemots, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, and skuas often wheel and glide gracefully overhead, adding to the wonder of a day at sea.

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

Warm Welcome and Wild Beauty

Arrive in the welcoming village of Vágur, home to just 1,300 residents, where Faroese hospitality runs deep. Experience the living traditions of this island community as you witness the famous Faroese chain dance and hear stories that bring Vágur’s captivating past to life.

Step into a birder’s paradise, where European storm petrels, Atlantic puffins, and other seabirds thrive along dramatic coastal cliffs. The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular—majestic mountains, sculpted sea stacks, and the awe-inspiring Beinisvørð mountain rising nearly 500 meters above the crashing North Atlantic.

With its rich culture and raw natural beauty, Suðuroy offers a true taste of the Faroe Islands at their most authentic.

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

Coastal Charm

Discover Tórshavn (“Thor’s Harbour”), the charming capital of the Faroe Islands and once a bustling Viking trading hub. This compact city is rich in character, blending history, culture, and creativity.

Wander the winding lanes of the old town, where turf-roofed houses and black-timber façades showcase traditional Faroese architecture. Along the way, step into local galleries, browse inviting shops, and enjoy the warm atmosphere of cozy cafés and restaurants.

In Tórshavn, every corner tells a story—where ancient traditions meet modern Faroese life.

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

A World of Tradition

Step into the serene charm of Elduvík, a tiny village of just twelve residents tucked at the end of a lush valley on Eysturoy’s northeast coast. Here, daily life unfolds in harmony with tradition and nature.

On a guided walk, wander past colourful houses clustered around the village church and old schoolhouse, while learning stories of Elduvík’s history and enduring cultural heritage.

For a wider perspective, you can set out on a gentle valley hike where sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and fjord open before you.

We’ll savour traditional Faroese flavours with a local tasting, then gather inside the village church—built in 1951—to hear tales and hymns that carry the spirit of this close-knit community.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

Remote and Wild

Today we venture into the untamed beauty of Vágar, one of the Faroe Islands’ remote western gems. Here, sheer cliffs plunge into the sea, while emerald-green valleys shelter picture-perfect villages that feel untouched by time.

Hike across dramatic landscapes where every turn reveals a new perspective—towering sea stacks, sweeping fjords, and trails steeped in Faroese legend. In this land of quiet wonder, nature’s raw power and beauty leave you both humbled and inspired.

Between April and August, the puffins are omnipresent. Other frequent fliers include storm petrels, razorbills, skuas and several gull species.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

Learning as You Sail

As we sail across the North Atlantic toward Iceland, take the opportunity to enrich your journey with insights into the region’s unique environment, cultures, and history.

Join workshops and presentations led by our expert expedition team, enjoy an inspiring documentary, or simply step out on deck to soak in the endless seascapes and fresh ocean air.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

Volcanic Landscapes

Just off Iceland’s south coast lies the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, a scatter of fourteen islands, rocky islets, and skerries. Only Heimaey, the largest, is home to a thriving community.

Here, towering cliffs provide nesting grounds for countless seabirds, including the beloved Atlantic puffin. The islands are also shaped by fire and ash—Surtsey dramatically rose from the sea in 1963, while the 1973 Eldfell eruption forever changed life on Heimaey, burying part of the town beneath lava and ash.

Today, Heimaey is a living testament to resilience, where volcanic landscapes, bird colonies, and human determination create one of Iceland’s most captivating destinations.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Nova

An Icy Farewell

We complete our journey in Reykjavík, Iceland’s groovy capital. After disembarking in the morning, we can hug and say “until next time,” or continue exploring the city independently.

Laugavegur is the main, buzzy street, with side streets like spokes in a wheel leading to the city’s landmark, Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrímur). From the top of the tower, there is a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city below and the surrounding mountains and sea. There are endless cafes, museums, galleries, vintage and vinyl shops to poke around in. The National Culture House (with original Norse Sagas manuscripts) and National Museum Iceland are must-sees for the history buffs. The adventure doesn’t have to end!

Included Meals

Breakfast