Scenic Isles & Landscapes of Scotland & the Faroes

Facilities in Liverpool are constantly being improved to make boarding, stopping off or leaving your cruise ship easy, enjoyable and stress-free.

Loch Hourn is a sea loch which separates the peninsulas of Glenelg to the north and Knoydart to the south, on the west coast of Scotland.

Thanks to its sheltered location, Stornoway, on the island of Lewis and Harris, is the largest town of the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland. The port offers a warm welcome to those visiting Lewis as part of their exploration of one of the UK’s remotest locations. A stroll along the quay reveals local fishermen on traditional fleets landing the catch of the day, before shipping it to one the island’s amazing eateries. There is an unmistakeable odour of peat in the air as the smokehouses turn the seafood into island specialities. Historic Lews Castle and the adjoining museum are key cultural centre for the islands’ heritage. An Lanntair Art Centre samples local arts and a good programme of art events, while a unique shopping experience awaits at the Harris Tweed Hebrides Outlet and Lewis Loom Centre, where traditional weaving methods can be discovered. Alternatively, a wander through the surrounding woods and a visit to the Woodland Centre can while away a pleasant hour or two.

The port of Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom is a quaint, bustling settlement in Western Ross and one of the most alluring spots in the Scottish Highlands. A gateway to the Western Isles, the town has grown into a popular holiday centre in recent years. Founded by the British Fisheries Society in 1788, Ullapool’s row of whitewashed harbour cottages are most visitors’ first impression. The town offers fishing in the sea and the loch, deer stalking, golf, boat hire as well as an art gallery, An Talla Solais. The award-winning Ullapool Museum is in a former church: a Grade-A building designed by Thomas Telford. It was built in 1829 following a parliamentary initiative to provide places of worship throughout the Highlands, hence it was called a “Parliamentary Church” before it closed. The town clock is claimed to be the most photographed in Scotland. Each of its four cast-iron, pediment faces are decorated with crowns and the urn on top carries a weathervane. Just outside Ullapool is Rhue, a four-acre Bronze-Age settlement, with the remains of ancient roundhouses.

Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, resonates with ancient echoes of Christian, Nordic and Celtic history. It’s a town that feels more Scandinavian than Scottish; in fact, the name Kirkwall comes from the Norse for ‘Church Bay’, relating to the town’s 11th century Church of St Olaf of Norway. Exploring the town’s atmospheric paved streets and twisting lanes, reveals a number of highlights, including the ruins of the Earl and Bishop’s Palaces, dating from the mid-12th century and serving as a reminder of the Orkney’s turbulent past. The palaces are considered by many to be the finest Renaissance buildings in Scotland. Also worth visiting is the recently restored St. Magnus Cathedral, founded in memory of Saint Magnus Erlendsson by Norseman Earl Rögnvald Kali. Don’t miss Tankerness House, a beautifully preserved 16th century townhouse, and the Orkney Wireless Museum, with it’s fascinating insights into the history of radio, too.

The capital of the Faeroes lies at the southern most tip of Streymoy – the largest of this archipelago of 18 islands. The nearest thing to a historic monument on these islands is perhaps the nearby settlement of Kirkjubour. This was once the seat of the Faeroese bishops, and the roofless cathedral has a plaque behind which is claimed to be a piece of the True Cross and cloth from the Virgin Mary’s dress.

Located on the island of Borðoy, Klaksvik is the Faroe Island’s second largest town and, thanks to the backdrop of rolling hills, craggy cliffs and a gorgeous bay, one of its most beautiful. This unique town of pretty buildings – including the charming Christianskirkjan Church, traditional farms and busy port – is considered the cultural and commercial hub of the Faroes. The town’s roundabout with a sculpture of a fish hook several meters high emphasises Klaksvik’s importance as a fishing port. Úti í Grøv, an idyllic spot across the bay, has Viking-era remains and has provided inspiration to many poets and artists over the years. Its trickling streams and fragrant flora ensure it’s the perfect place to admire Klaksvik’s incredible surroundings on a relaxing stroll. The formerly isolated island of Borðoy is now connected to the mainland by the impressive 6300m long Norðoyatunnilin Tunnel. It now links Klaksvik to Leirvík, a town on the rugged, mountainous island of Eysturoy, which has been identified by Birdlife International as an “Important Bird Area”. The bus ride there to spot Manx Shearwaters, Black Guillemots and other native seabirds in their natural habitat is definitely worth the effort.

Sturdy little Lerwick is the friendly capital of the 100 islands and islets of the Shetland Islands, northernmost outpost of the British Isles (located almost halfway between Scotland and Norway, to which they once belonged) – and setting of ancient archaeological sites, intriguing Viking echoes and, in more contemporary vein, the renowned Shetland knitwear!

From beautiful coastlines to a fascinating industrial heritage, Belfast is a modern, vibrant and stylish city. Famous for being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, Northern Ireland’s capital offers visitors the chance to visit the Harland and Wolff shipyard and the fascinating Titanic Experience. Only in Belfast can the Titanic story be traced to its source, and the excitement of an era when the city was at the height of its powers relived. Close to Queen’s University lie the fascinating Botanical Gardens, established for over 180 years. The unique Palm House was one of the world’s first cast-iron glass-houses and displays a wide range of tropical plants, ranging from bananas to rubber. Alongside, the Renaissance-styled Ulster Museum tells Ireland’s 9,000-year history through art, ceramics, costume, and prehistoric archaeology. To the city’s northern edge is the impressive Belfast Castle, offering wonderful views of the city as it stands 120m above the Irish Sea.Show less Belfast is also perfectly placed to discover the stunning Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and an incredible natural wonder steeped in myths and legends.

Facilities in Liverpool are constantly being improved to make boarding, stopping off or leaving your cruise ship easy, enjoyable and stress-free.