13 nights · Scotland · Departs Aberdeen · Visiting Westray Island Scotland, Fair Isle, Lerwick, Nordfjordeid, Svolvaer, Tromso · Aboard Aurora Expeditions on the Sylvia Earle
Image courtesy of Aurora Expeditions ©
| Cruise line | Aurora Expeditions |
|---|---|
| Ship | Sylvia Earle |
| Duration | 13 nights |
| Port calls | 7 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $14,446 per person |
| Year built | 2022 |
| Guests | 160 |
| Cabins | 71 |
| Crew | 74 |
| Length | 104 m |
| Beam | 18 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
Aberdeen’s grey granite catches the light, giving Scotland’s northeast city a character all its own. The Aberdeen Maritime Museum traces how shipbuilding, fishing and North Sea oil shaped the city. Old Aberdeen is a handsome quarter of cobbled lanes and historic buildings. At King’s College, founded in 1495, the crown tower and chapel offer a striking glimpse of Scotland’s university heritage.
Westray, one of Orkney’s northern islands, offers a quieter encounter with Scotland’s island heritage. Pierowall, its principal village, is a practical starting point for exploring crofting fields, open beaches and Atlantic headlands. At Noup Head, a lighthouse stands above cliffs alive with seabirds in season. Inland, the Castle of Noltland and Neolithic site at Links of Noltland reveal a remarkable history of settlement.
Set between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle rewards the detour with a rare sense of quiet and distance. Sea cliffs rise above the Atlantic, where puffins and other seabirds gather in season. On land, stone crofts and green pasture frame a close-knit community famed for its distinctive Fair Isle knitting. Its appeal lies in remoteness as much as scenery; allow time to explore, since weather shapes island life.
Lerwick feels more like a North Atlantic outpost than a Scottish port, with stone-fronted streets facing a working harbour. Shetland’s capital rewards a stroll along the waterfront and through narrow lanes. The Lodberrie, an eighteenth-century merchant’s house built partly over the sea, is one of its most distinctive landmarks. Visit Shetland Museum and Archives for the islands’ Norse heritage and contemporary life. Beyond town, open moorland, sea cliffs and wildlife offer a striking change of scale.
Nordfjordeid sits at the head of Eidsfjorden, where steep mountains frame a sheltered arm of Nordfjord. Step ashore for Sagastad, a Viking-age centre built around a full-scale replica of the Myklebust ship. In town, see 19th-century Eid Church, then visit the Norwegian Fjord Horse Centre to discover this native breed. Inland roads lead toward glacier country, mountain lakes and the dramatic scenery of western Norway.
Svolvær is the lively heart of the Lofoten Islands, where jagged peaks rise straight from the harbour. Step ashore to find fishing boats, waterfront galleries and cafés serving local seafood. The town is a useful base for exploring the islands’ fishing villages and Arctic scenery. In summer, take a boat trip to Trollfjord; in winter, look skyward for the northern lights. Above town, the twin pinnacles of Svolværgeita define the skyline.
Tromsø puts the Arctic within easy reach, yet its cafés, galleries and university give the city a lively, modern pulse. Set on an island above the Arctic Circle, it is linked to the mainland by a bridge and tunnel. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral. Ride the Fjellheisen cable car for views across mountains and sea. In winter, the northern lights may appear overhead.
Published September 10, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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