Sailing voyage Z02-27: Fair Isle & Shetland Islands

This page was translated automatically from German. View the original

Cabin charter with skipper and crew:
Cabin charter is the ideal way to enjoy wonderful sailing trips for anyone who loves being on the water, and it suits couples, solo travellers, groups of friends and families alike. If you book as an individual, you travel alone but spend your holiday with a group of like-minded people. The advantage of chartering a sailing yacht with a crew is clear:

– The crew takes care of everything to do with the sailing during the voyage.
– The provisioning for the sailing voyage is done by the mate before you come aboard.
– The crew is experienced, and the sailing boat is in perfect condition and spotlessly clean.
– The mate also cooks (vegetarian for those who prefer it), but of course we expect your help here.

Z02-27: Fair Isle Expedition | Sailing voyage to Scotland's most remote islands (Orkney, Fair Isle & Shetland)
One of our most extraordinary sailing voyages.

This sailing voyage takes us through the remote island groups of Orkney, Fair Isle and Shetland – a region of spectacular cliffs, huge seabird colonies, ancient archaeological sites and small island communities. It is a voyage for nature lovers, walkers and those seeking peace and quiet who want to discover authentic places far from mass tourism.

Orkney: spectacular cliffs and thousands of years of history
We start in Stromness and first set course for Hoy, the wildest of the Orkney Islands. Here we take a spectacular walk to the famous Old Man of Hoy, a 137-metre sandstone sea stack that is among Scotland's best-known natural landmarks. The steep cliffs, the surf of the Atlantic and the sweeping views make this walk one of the highlights of the voyage.

In the evening we sail on to a small island at the entrance to Scapa Flow. Here we enjoy the peace, the nature and the view over one of the largest natural harbours in the world.

Next we sail to Rousay. On the way we pass impressive cliffs and the gently rolling green hills that are typical of Orkney. The almost treeless landscape gives the islands their very own character. Rousay is often called the “Egypt of the North”, as it is home to numerous archaeological sites from the Stone Age and Bronze Age. We also discover the remains of a ruined manor house with a surprisingly beautiful botanical garden – an unusual combination on these remote islands.

Via atmospheric Kirkwall, the historic capital of Orkney, we visit one more island – depending on weather, wind and tides – before setting off for the true highlight of the voyage: Fair Isle.

Fair Isle: a paradise for bird lovers
Fair Isle lies midway between Orkney and Shetland and is one of the most remote inhabited islands in Europe. Only a few dozen people live here permanently. There are no major roads, no traffic and hardly any tourism. This is exactly what gives the island its special appeal.

We stay for two days on Fair Isle, so there is plenty of time to explore the island on foot. The spectacular cliffs are among the highest in Britain and provide a habitat for thousands of seabirds. Puffins, skuas, guillemots and many other species breed here in large numbers. Towards evening we can often watch hundreds of puffins returning from the sea to their nests on the cliffs. As only a few visitors come to the island, the birds can often be observed from astonishingly close range.

The Fair Isle Bird Observatory is also well worth a visit. From the cosy café you look out over the small harbour, where seals regularly rest on the rocks. For bird lovers, Fair Isle is one of the best-known birdwatching sites in Europe.

Shetland: spectacular cliffs and traces of the Vikings
After Fair Isle we set off on the crossing to the Shetland Islands. In favourable conditions we visit Sumburgh at the southern tip of the island group. Alongside impressive cliffs and bird colonies, there are the remains of a historic settlement where both Pictish and Viking-age traces have been discovered.

The voyage ends in charming Lerwick, the capital of Shetland. After a beautiful approach between the islands, we round off the sailing voyage together with a dinner in the harbour.

A sailing voyage for active nature lovers
The daily legs of this sailing voyage are mostly between 15 and 40 nautical miles. This leaves plenty of time for walks, nature experiences and exploring the islands.

This sailing voyage is ideal for active nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet. The combination of spectacular coastal landscapes, remote islands, extraordinary bird colonies and relaxed daily legs makes it one of the skipper's favourite voyages – and for many guests an experience they will find nowhere else in Europe.

The itinerary described depends on weather, wind and tides. If conditions require it, the route can be adjusted accordingly.

The price includes:
– Skipper and crew/cook
– Food and drinks on board.
– Fuel, water, shore power, harbour fees and tourist tax.
– A set of towels and bed linen, as well as a lifejacket.
– Wine and beer are available on board after sailing, based on average consumption. Should supplies run low, you can top them up yourself at any time.

Not included:
– Your transfer, i.e. the journey to the boat and from the boat back home.
– Sailing clothing: you can hire this from us on request.
– Possible shore excursions, such as hiring a bus or visiting a museum, for example.
– Food and drinks ashore. On our last day of travel, we go out for dinner in the evening (at your own expense).