Voyage of the Vikings

None given.Description
Follow in the footsteps of Vikings on our spectacular Scottish adventure to the heart of the North Sea. From the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, we meander along to Aberdeen and board our memorable ferry cruise to the Shetland Islands; an unspoilt archipelago awash with mysterious broch sites, wind-swept cliffs, beautifully untouched beaches teeming with seabirds and rolling moorland peppered with roaming Shetland ponies. Amongst others, we discover a real-life treasure island, the Scandinavian-esque ancient capital of Scalloway and fascinating Jarlshof, the largest Viking site in the UK, where the remarkable excavations offer insightful clues into Shetland's inhabitants from centuries gone by. A land of raiders and settlers, we find out more about the Viking heritage here, as Shetland was one of the first landfalls for the seafaring Norse and their lasting imprint on the islands is still evident today.

Itinerary
Day 1From a morning pickup in your local area we travel by coach to Carlisle, where we stay overnight at the Station Hotel in Carlisle (JG3 rating).\n\nDay 2 - Loch Lomond to AberdeenAfter breakfast we continue north to Loch Lomond, the perfect introduction to Scotland's beauty. The country's first National Park is renowned for its charming villages and stunning loch views, framed by undulating verdant hills and wooded glens. There is even some archaeological evidence that shows Vikings once settled here to trade with central Scotland, and MacFarlane descendants here are currently participating in a DNA project to trace their ancestry, as Norse settlers married MacFarlane women. After some time around the loch, we continue to Aberdeen, where we join our overnight ferry to magical Lerwick.\n\nDay 3 - Shetland (Yell & Unst)We arrive in the Shetland Islands to enjoy breakfast on board before we meet our local guide for a full day of exploration and discovery. The breathtaking archipelago showcase some of the most incredible vistas and spectacular wildlife in Scotland - from seals, otters and harbour porpoises to seabirds and orcas, keep your eyes peeled for a chance to see these incredible creatures in their natural setting.We first head to Yell, the second largest of the Shetlands, which boasts stunning beaches, untouched moorland and a rich history. Inhabited since Neolithic times, the Vikings settled here during the Norse period, as detailed in the Orkneyinga Saga, when 'strong and contrary winds sprung up, and they brought their ships to Alasund (Yell Sound) and went a-feating over the country.' As we learn more about this picturesque isle, be sure to look out for adorable Shetland ponies!Our next stop is the most northerly inhabited island of the UK, Unst. The breathtaking vistas are believed to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, and it's easy to see why. Being closer to the Arctic Circle than to London, it has an otherworldly feel, with ancient sites, jagged cliffs, a quaint harbour, mystical sea stacks, emerald-green slopes, peat bogs and shimmering lochs all juxtaposing one another. Its heritage is fabled too; Unst has the world's largest known concentration of Viking longhouses and the replica Viking ship Skibladner can be seen ashore at Haroldswick, while remarkable remains of the pre-12th century St Olaf's Chapel still stand on the island.Later we check into the Brae Hotel on Shetland (JG3 rating), where we stay overnight.\n\nDay 4 - Shetland (Scalloway, Jarlshof, Sumburgh & Lerwick)Another full day tour awaits today. We begin with Scalloway, once the capital of the isles, with evidence of human life dating back to the Iron Age. Its sheltered harbour, bustling with fishing boats, almost feels Scandinavian thanks to its cluster of colourful painted houses set against rolling hills. Highlights of this island include a 16th-century castle, a Category A-listed haa (laird's house) and a number of sites significant to Shetland Bus, a World War II operation which established a link between Shetland and German-occupied Norway, where small vessels navigated the North Sea on secret missions transporting soldiers, personnel and important supplies.To continue exploring the ancient history of the islands, we head to Jarlshof, considered one of the most astonishing archaeological discoveries in the British Isles. This fascinating prehistoric site was home to the first settlement in Shetland, around 2700BC, and contains remains from then, through the Viking Age and up until the 17th century. The Iron Age broch and wheelhouses, Norse settlements, Viking longhouse plus vistas of the West Voe of Sumburgh combine to create a remarkable spot, with more information and artefacts on display at the visitor centre. We then take a closer look at Sumburgh, the unspoilt headland at the southern tip of Shetland, and admire the lovely view of the sparkling seas.The last stop on our captivating tour is Lerwick, the main town of the archipelago and just 222 miles from Bergen in Norway. While it was established in the 17th century to service Dutch herring and white fish fleets, the majority of the waterfront buildings date from the 18th century. The wooden huts which once stood here were burned twice, firstly by the angry residents of Scalloway who were displeased with fishermen's 'immorality', then again later on by a French fleet. Nowadays, Lerwick plays host to Up Helly Aa, an annual Viking fire festival which marks the end of Yule season and culminates in the visually striking burning of a Viking galley ship. The town also had a starring role in the BBC series, Shetland, and its atmospheric streets made famous by DI Jimmy Perez are perfect for a leisurely wander.After the tour, we board the ferry for our return overnight sailing back to Aberdeen.\n\nDay 5 - EdinburghThis morning, we re-board our coach and make our way from Aberdeen to Newcastle, stopping en-route for a break in the lovely city of Edinburgh. Whether you spend time in the charming tea rooms, hit the shops or go in search of historic gems among the cobbled streets, there is plenty in Scotland's capital to suit all tastes.This evening we stay at the Ramada Gateshead Hotel in Newcastle (JG3 rating).\n\nDay 6 After checking out of our hotel we board the coach for our return journey home.

Bullets
- Return coach travel- First & last night at a selected hotel in the north of England (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- 2 nights on NorthLink Ferries (inside twin cabin) with dinner & breakfast- Overnight stay at the Brae Hotel, Shetland (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Two guided tours of Shetland (Yell, Unst, Scalloway, Jarlshof, Sumburgh & Lerwick)- En-route visits to Loch Lomond & Edinburgh

Search Bullets
- Overnight stay at the Brae Hotel, Shetland (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Two guided tours of Shetland (Yell, Unst, Scalloway, Jarlshof, Sumburgh & Lerwick)- En-route visits to Loch Lomond & Edinburgh

JG3
Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.

Information
Please note: price is based on two people sharing a two-berth inside cabin. Some cabins have two single beds and some cabins have two bunk beds, so there will always be two lower berths available. Please note that you may take your main luggage on board the ferry with you for your overnight sailings, however luggage trolleys will be available at the terminal if you would prefer to store your luggage and take an overnight bag on board instead, which we do recommend. If you do choose to store your luggage you will not be able to access it until the morning.Selected Hotels (JG3 rating)
We'll stay at a selection of comfortable hotels (JG3 rating) including the Station Hotel in Carlisle, the Brae Hotel on Shetland and the Ramada Gateshead Hotel in Newcastle during our tour. All are of a similar, well-appointed standard with en-suite facilities, a bar and restaurant.We also spend two nights on NorthLink Ferries, where the inside cabins feature a TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and en-suite facilities (includes a shower, sink, toilet, soap, shower gel, bed linen and towels).