Scenic Coastlines of the British Isles
August 2026

One of Scotland’s most striking coastal vistas can be seen while cruising past Duncansby Sea Stacks. Centuries of erosion have sculpted towering sea stacks that soar magnificently from the North Sea, and a vivid symphony of sights and sounds is produced by seabirds such as razorbills, guillemots, and puffins using these remarkable rocks as nesting grounds. From the decks of your ship, there will be opportunities for you to witness seals sunning themselves on nearby rocks, adding to the area’s abundant wildlife display. For both nature lovers and photographers, the untamed splendour of Duncansby Sea Stacks, set against the backdrop of Scotland’s northern shoreline in summer, makes for an unforgettable experience.

Renowned for the strength of its tides, Pentland Firth lies between the Orkney Islands and mainland Scotland, is celebrated for its rich diversity of marine life, and is seen as a vital migratory route for whales and dolphins. During August, the seas here are teeming with marine life as the favourable weather conditions bring an abundance of food supplies close to the surface, and you may be able to spot minke whales, orcas, and bottlenose dolphins playing and hunting in the waters as your ship sails along Pentland Firth.

Britain’s tallest and most famous sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy rises 450 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of Hoy Island, in Scotland’s rugged Orkney archipelago. Originally an arch with two ‘legs’ resembling those of an old man, hence its nickname, the erosive power of the weather has reduced the stack to a single pillar which, owing to a crack slicing through the middle of it, geologists believe will one day collapse into the sea.

Located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway is a thriving town with a busy port, best seen from the top of ‘Gallow’s Hill’ – reached by the impressive grounds of Lews Castle. Originally built in 1847, the castle has had some well-known owners, including Lord Leverhume, who founded the company now known as Unilever. He gave the castle to the people of Stornoway, where it served as a naval hospital and college, but is now a noteworthy museum.

Situated between the Inner Hebridean island of Mull and mainland Scotland, the Sound of Mull forms a part of the Atlantic Ocean. The sound is surrounded by sweeping green meadows, rocky shorelines, magnificent stone castles and sweeping wild hills; and is also a treat for nature lovers, with the sound being home to wildlife including seals, otters, over 260 species of bird and even larger mammals such as porpoise, minke whale, and occasionally basking sharks and orca.

Duart Castle dates back to the 13th century and guards the sea cliffs of the Isle of Mull, giving it one of the most spectacular positions for prominence in West Scotland. The castle treasures over 700 years of history of one of Scotland’s oldest clans, the Macleans, and is one of the last surviving privately owned clan castles in Scotland. Duart Castle was deliberately chosen to be sited on a high crag at the end of a peninsula, jutting into the Sound of Mull.

Bac Mòr is one of the most striking and iconic Scottish Treshnish Isles near Mull and is located a few miles west of Staffa and Iona. Affectionately referred to as The Dutchman’s Cap due to its unusual shape, Bac Mòr has a height of 283 feet, and its flat surroundings resemble glassy lava fields. The Treshnish Isles were formed 60 million years ago when volcanic eruptions on the nearby island of Mull caused lava to flow into the sea.

Created around 60 million years ago, and said to be the corresponding piece of road built by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill, to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, Fingal’s Cave is a basalt sea-cave with distinctive columns and a remarkable symmetry. Looming 69 metres out of the ocean, it appears to look like a piece of contemporary art, but is completely shaped by nature. Often, the cliffs and ledges are covered with native seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills and puffins.

Some of the best moments of cruising are the days spent at sea where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful programme of events and activities we have planned for you.

St. Mary’s, the largest of the five inhabited islands that make up The Isles of Scilly archipelago, offers a fascinating heritage, where traces of life go back at least eight centuries. The entire archipelago is a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Marine Conservation Zone, where there is an abundance of marine life and migrant birds, such as Atlantic grey seals, gannets and comorants, and even puffins, from April onwards.

During summer, the picturesque capital of Guernsey, St. Peter Port, is a bustling, historic town that blends perfectly with nature and adventure. After you have explored the fascinating 800-year-old Castle Cornet, sitting proudly at the mouth of the harbour; stroll along the winding, cobbled streets of the quaint old town, with its charming boutiques and restaurants offering fresh Guernsey crab and lobster, or sample traditional locally made Gache (fruit loaf). Meanwhile, the island is famed for its coastal walks, providing opportunities to search for hidden coves and beaches and enjoy panoramic views across to the islands of Herm and Sark. There will also be chances to learn about the island’s World War II history through a collection of memorabilia at the local German Occupation Museum.

Although Portland remains ‘tied’ to the county’s mainland by the 18-mile-long shingle stretch of Chesil Beach, this unique island is unlike any other part of Dorset. Marking the southernmost point of the Jurassic Coast, this four-mile-long, half-mile-wide gem is a natural wonderland of rugged, unspolit landscapes and coastal scenes that beg for exploration. Much of Portland, including the entire coastline, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific interest, protecting the natural habitats of the native wildlife and the remarkable geology of the island.

Beyond the delights of the island itself, Portland is also the gateway to a number of Dorset and Southern England’s most scenic, and most iconic, attractions and destinations including Stonehenge, Bath and Salisbury Cathedral. Additionally, nearby there are a number of beautiful castles, such as Portland, Rufus and Sandfoot, as well as Nothe fort and Max Gate.

Some of the best moments of cruising are the days spent at sea where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful programme of events and activities we have planned for you.