Whisky voyage to the Orkneys aboard STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL

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Whisky voyage to the Orkneys aboard STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL

(The crew on board is international, so English is predominantly spoken.)

Come aboard Norway's largest sailing ship and experience an unforgettable Easter voyage across the North Sea — in the footsteps of the Vikings! Our journey takes us to the legendary Orkney Islands, where we shall lie at anchor in Kirkwall for two days. There you will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the famous Highland Park Distillery, explore the fascinating Viking history of the Orkneys and enjoy the spectacular landscape. Along the way you will learn traditional seamanship from the era of the great sailing ships. You will learn to sail, sleep in a hammock and become part of the unique community on board. Look forward to seven days full of sailing adventure, Scottish charm and stunning natural experiences!

Itinerary: Bergen – Kirkwall – Bergen

Tuesday, 23 March: Embarkation in Bergen, 08:15–10:00
Departure from Bergen at 14:00
Three days at sea towards Kirkwall
Friday, 26 March: Arrival in Kirkwall at 10:00 (Good Friday)
Two days' stay in Kirkwall. Optional: guided tour of the Highland Park Distillery.
Sunday, 28 March: Departure from Kirkwall at 10:00 (Easter Sunday)
Two days at sea towards Bergen
Tuesday, 30 March: Arrival in Bergen at 10:00
Duration: 7 days

Minimum age: 20 years

It has been seven years since STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL last called at the Orkney Islands — now you have the chance to be there! During our stay you can sign up for a guided tour of the Highland Park Distillery. In addition, in collaboration with the Bergen Whisky & Beer Festival, we are hosting a whisky talk with tasting on board. You can find out more about both experiences further below.

In the footsteps of the Vikings

From Bergen we set course westwards — to the islands that once belonged to the Norwegian kingdom. Ahead of us lie three days on the North Sea, filled with sailing, seamanship and new acquaintances on board!

Aboard STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL you are not simply a passenger. You become an active member of the crew: you stand watch twice daily, steer the ship and help set the sails. Perhaps you will even feel the urge to climb the rigging? However, should you prefer solid ground — or rather a solid deck — beneath your feet, that is of course perfectly acceptable too.

When mobile phone reception fades, you can safely set your smartphone aside and enjoy life at sea to the full. There is time for good conversation, genuine experiences on the ocean and growing anticipation of what awaits you on the Orkney Islands.

Previous sailing experience is not required — all that counts is your willingness to take part in life on board!

Two days in Kirkwall — history, nature and traditions

After three days on the open sea, the dramatic cliffs of the Orkney Islands appear on the horizon as we head for Kirkwall — the charming main town of the archipelago. Here you will find welcoming pubs, small shops, restaurants and historic buildings all close together. Kirkwall radiates a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere; you may even experience live music in one of the local pubs.

At the heart of the town stands the impressive St Magnus Cathedral from the 12th century — a magnificent testimony to the Orkneys' Norse past. The islands were under Norwegian rule for centuries, and this Nordic heritage lives on to this day in place names, history and culture.

If you wish to explore the Orkney Islands further, you can hire a car or discover the area on foot. Look forward to spectacular coastal cliffs, gently rolling green hills, rich birdlife and wonderful walking opportunities.

Optional extra: guided tour of the Highland Park Distillery — Saturday, 27 March

In Kirkwall you have the opportunity to join a guided tour of the legendary Highland Park Distillery, which has been producing whisky since 1798! Here the Nordic heritage of Orkney meets Scotland's proud whisky tradition. The tour takes you on a journey through more than 200 years of whisky-making — from the malting floors and heather peat to the copper pot stills and historic warehouses.

The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes; participants will be divided into groups. More detailed information on the time will be provided well in advance of departure. Price: 230 NOK per person.

Optional extra: Whisky talk and tasting on board – Saturday 27 March

In the evening we invite you to a whisky talk followed by a tasting on board the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. The programme will be led by Frode Harring from the Bergen Whisky & Beer Festival. He presents local products, shares his expertise and takes you on a voyage of discovery through different flavour profiles, stories and traditions. The exact time will be announced well in advance of departure. Price: 340 NOK per person.

You can add one or both activities directly when booking your trip. Should you decide later, please contact us.

Homeward voyage under sail

After two unforgettable days in Kirkwall we set course for Bergen. By now the ship and your fellow travellers are familiar companions — and you may even have learnt a great deal about the Orkney Islands and whisky!

Together we lend a hand with the sailing, handling lines and setting the sails. It takes teamwork — but there is a wonderful feeling when everyone pulls together. And in the breaks there is little better than standing on deck, gazing out over the open sea and chatting with the others on board.

When at last the coast of western Norway appears on the horizon, you take home new friendships and memories that will stay with you for a long time to come.

Sailing whenever possible

Our aim is to cover as much distance as possible under sail. On board a sailing ship like the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, however, it is ultimately wind and weather that determine what is feasible. At this time of year we must reckon with both headwinds and rough seas. That is why we have allowed three days for the passage to Kirkwall — giving us the best possible chance of actually sailing. Nevertheless, it may be necessary to use the engine in order to arrive on time or to avoid difficult weather conditions. For the return voyage we hope for more favourable winds and even more time under sail.

This trip takes place in partnership with the Bergen Whisky & Beer Festival.

Welcome aboard!

Additional information

What is included in the ticket?

- All meals on board: breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as simple sandwiches for the night watches. A small snack is also served with afternoon coffee. The first meal on board is lunch on the day of departure. Meals are also served as usual whilst the ship is in harbour in Lerwick.
- Accommodation in a hammock in a shared sleeping area (known as "Banjers"). No private cabins are available.
- The ship has good sanitary facilities: there are separate, newly refurbished facilities for ladies and gentlemen with individual toilet and shower cubicles.

What is not included in the ticket?

- Travel to and from the ports is not included. We recommend allowing a buffer of at least six hours between the scheduled arrival time and any onward travel.
- Activities on the Orkney Islands.

Optional activities

On Saturday 27 March we offer two optional activities:

Highland Park Distillery tour: Duration approx. 60 minutes. Price: 230 NOK per person.
Talk and tasting on board: With Frode Harring from the Bergen Whisky & Beer Festival. Price: 340 NOK per person.

You can book one or both activities when booking your trip — please get in touch with us to do so.

Further details on the schedule will be provided before departure.

Passport and entry requirements: All participants must hold a valid passport. An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is also required for entry to the United Kingdom.

Travel insurance: Valid travel insurance is required.

Age requirements

Minimum age: 20 years.
Persons aged 70 and over: Must carry a signed medical certificate (available on request).

Travel information and packing list: Well in advance of departure you will receive a letter with practical information, including a packing list, details of the berth and a link to the handbook for your stay on board.

Catering: We accommodate dietary requirements wherever practically feasible (vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free). Please indicate any special dietary requirements in the comments field after booking. Unfortunately we are unable to provide a fully vegan catering option.

If you suffer from severe food allergies or have further questions about catering on board, please get in touch with us.

Sleeping in hammocks: Participants sleep in hammocks which are hung side by side in the two sleeping areas below deck (known as "banjers").

Watch system: As part of the ship's crew you will stand two fixed four-hour watches each day:

Red watch: 12:00–16:00 / 00:00–04:00
White watch: 04:00–08:00 / 16:00–20:00
Blue watch: 08:00–12:00 / 20:00–00:00

Watch preferences may be indicated when booking. We endeavour to accommodate all requests, but cannot guarantee that every participant will be assigned their preferred watch. Groups travelling together will be given priority in the allocation. While the ship is in harbour in Kirkwall, participants are relieved of their watch duties.

Entering the rigging and physical requirements: To enter the rigging you must meet the following safety requirements:

- One pull-up + 10 seconds dead hang = full access to the rigging, including the bowsprit.
- 10 seconds dead hang (without pull-up) = access to the lower sections of the rigging.
- If you are unable to dead hang for 10 seconds, you are not permitted to enter the rigging.

Wi-Fi and mobile reception: No Wi-Fi is available for the sailing crew. The ship's crew are in daily contact with the shore and can pass on important messages if necessary. A satellite telephone is available on board for emergencies. Sockets for charging electronic devices are available on board.

Alcohol and drugs: A strict ban on alcohol and other intoxicants applies on board – even while the ship is in harbour – except on specially designated occasions.

As much sailing as possible

Our aim is always to sail as much as possible; however, conditions at sea are ultimately determined by wind and weather. Occasionally it may therefore be necessary to use the engine in order to avoid bad weather or to maintain the planned arrival time.

The ship: The Statsraad Lehmkuhl is in service year-round and built for passage on the open sea. For more than a hundred years she has served under the Norwegian flag as a training ship. She is without doubt one of the most beautiful sailing ships in the world and is often described as the "pride of Bergen". The Lehmkuhl Foundation does everything possible to keep the ship in first-class condition at all times.