Scenery & Wildlife of Scotland & Ireland

Capital of the Shetland Islands, Lerwick is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its stunning coastlines. Close by are the soaring cliffs of Sumburgh Head, which are perfect for spotting various examples of marine life, such as minke whales, orcas and dolphins; and as an RSPB nature reserve — guillemots, shags and fulmars. In the town, the Arts Centre celebrates the Gaelic heritage of this fascinating seaport.

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.

Located on the Donegal Wild Atlantic Way, Killybegs is well known for its maritime culture, having been the last port of call for the galleon ‘Girona’ in 1588, before she sank after encountering a severe storm. Home to one of the country's busiest fishing harbours, this welcoming town offers an authentic glimpse into life on the Wild Atlantic Way, where colourful fishing boats bob in the harbour and seafood is a way of life rather than a speciality. Beyond the waterfront, some of Ireland's most dramatic landscapes await discovery, with towering sea cliffs, windswept headlands and remote islands shaping a coastline that feels untamed, along with quiet beaches and traditional villages.

Slieve League Cliffs are one of the Wild Atlantic Way's greatest secrets. Located in County Donegal, Ireland, the cliffs are among the highest in Europe and offer remarkable views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscape. Considered to be a site of great pilgrimage, the cliffs are home to ancient stone remnants scattered around the hillsides, thought to be from a time before Christianity arrived in Ireland, and also contain the ruins of a chapel from an early Christian monastic site.

A vibrant city with a rich history and blend of traditional and modern culture, Belfast offers you the chance to not only explore its strong maritime links with the Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the RMS Titanic was built, before she set sail on her ill-fated maiden voyage from Southampton on 10 th April 1912, but also as gateway to the impressive rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway, discovering its links to the mythological giant, Finn McCool. You can stroll through the city’s streets, alive with music and traditional Irish pubs, admire the urban street art, or visit the Titanic Distillery and learn of its whiskey tradition and why it disappeared, before sampling a few Irish spirits at Belfast’s first working distillery in 90 years.

Rising dramatically from the waters off Lunga, largest of the Treshnish Isles, Harp Rock is one of the Hebrides’ most distinctive sea stacks. Named for its striking shape, which resembles a harp when viewed from certain angles, the basalt formation provides a nesting site for thousands of seabirds, including nesting puffins, guillemots and razorbills. Set against the rugged beauty of Scotland’s west coast, Harp Rock is a spectacular reminder of the region’s volcanic past and its rich wildlife heritage. Lunga’s wildflower meadows and coastal scenery add to the appeal, while grey seals, dolphins and even the occasional whale can be spotted in the surrounding waters.