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BEST OF BRITAIN
For rugged beauty, unmatched wildlife and rich history, the lesser-known British Isles beckon
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Unique combination of history, culture and stunning natural beauty
History and natural beauty by the sea
Often overlooked by even the most seasoned traveller, the British Isles are fast becoming a go-to destination for their unique combination of history, culture, stunning natural beauty and temperate climate. With isolated shores, imposing castles and sub-tropical gardens, as well as vestiges of Celtic and Viking history, this relatively undiscovered part of the world is best explored by water and complimented by carefully curated shore excursions that highlight everything from the exquisite Abbey Gardens of Tresco to the birding paradise that is Lunga Island – with plenty of whisky tastings and hyper-local culinary adventures in the mix as well.
This area offers some of the most jaw-dropping, inspiring terrain anywhere on the planet
Discover the unexpected
“I spent 15 years leading expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, and I thought the British Isles was all about staid gardens and bus tours,” says Englishman Hadleigh Measham, Director, Expedition Product Development at Silversea. “But this area offers some of the most jaw-dropping, inspiring terrain anywhere on the planet.” Expedition leader Lea McQuillan concurs. “On a recent voyage through the Isles, we discovered the unexpected; from the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the serene island of Iona with its historical and religious significance, to the storm-ravaged island of St. Kilda’s with its weathered stone remnants – reminders of a time when the island was home to people of incredible resilience.”
Unveiling St. Kilda and Orkney Isles’s hidden charms
With itineraries that are conceived to capitalise on local colour – from remote ports and exotic nesting sites to visiting makers of everything from cheese to custom tartan – an expedition cruise affords unprecedented access to niche destinations. Among the standouts aboard a Silver Endeavour voyage is St. Kilda, Scotland – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – where village visits, hiking for all levels, “as well as the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets over dramatic coastlines – rock formations that have been millions of years in the making – are all part of the unique geologic mix,” say Measham. “Stac Lee and Stac an Armin are particular standouts and shouldn’t be missed.”
By contrast, the Orkney Islands – a rocky archipelago of some 70 distinct islands that have been inhabited for 8,500 years – are brimming with archaeological sites that illustrate a rich Neolithic history. Brilliant birds such as auk species – specifically puffins – on the Isle of Lunga, as well as Brünnichs, Guillemots and Northern Gannets – are other dazzling diversions for dedicated birders and the casually curious alike.
Witness breathtaking observations of seabirds nesting and grey seals fishing
In areas such as the difficult-to-reach St. Kilda archipelago, or the Shetland Islands or the Hebrides “where the seas can be formidable, it takes a level of real skill to access these remote places,” says Measham of the seasoned crew. “We need to be clever about how we research destinations including the Shiants – islands where the birding is some of the most impressive anywhere.” Federica Bellinghieri, Senior Manager Destination Experiences, recalls a recent early morning Zodiac cruise here “that was chilly and splashy, but where the chance to observe myriad seabirds nesting on the cliffs and watch frolicking grey seals fishing was mind-blowing.”
Understanding islands through the sea
“To understand an island, you have to understand the sea that surrounds it,” Measham says, paraphrasing the author and 5th Baron Carnock Adam Nicholson. The distinct perspective that’s gained from the water plays out often, but perhaps no more so than it did on a recent journey aboard the Silversea Endeavour in Scotland. “To access Dunvegan Castle from the sea by Zodiac, and to be welcomed at the landing site by a Scotsman playing the traditional bagpipes was magnificent,” says Bellinghieri. Similarly, a springtime excursion to clifftop Duart Castle on the remote Isle of Mull was full of unexpected surprises. “Sir Maclean, the 28th Chief of the Clan Maclean, greeted our guests and introduced us to the 800-year history of the castle and the clan – and with great gusto and a sense of humour.”
It is these off-the-beaten-track – or off-the-beaten-sea-route – journeys that allow Silversea crews to share their deep knowledge of these islands and previously inaccessible craggy regions. Each crew member has an individual area of expertise – from the dedicated on-board photographer to the geologist, to the archaeologist and the marine biologist – that brings the history of the hidden British Isles to technicolour life.
To understand an island, you have to understand the sea that surrounds it.
Discover the hidden gems of the British Isles
To learn more about Silversea’s voyages to Northern Europe and the British Isles click below
