Lerwick (Shetland Is.),United Kingdom

Lerwick (Shetland Is.),United Kingdom

Lerwick (Shetland Is.),United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Lerwick (Shetland Is.)

Excursions

Excursions that bring the spirit of travel to life

ISLAND TOUR

ISLAND TOUR

Your excursion starts with meeting your English-speaking guide and boarding a bus for a drive through Lerwick, the only town in Shetland that dates back to the 1600 s. Following a 10 km road taking you from the east to the west coast, you will arrive in Scalloway, the former capital of Shetland. The first stop is at Scalloway viewpoint on a hillside. Take your camera ready as you will enjoy a lovely view of the city and the many islands beyond. A visit to the Scalloway Museum is an opportunity to discover the history and traditions of the Shetlands. First opened in 1985, it was later moved to a new building opened in 2012 to better accommodate exhibitions. In addition to the history of the people of the surrounding islands, you can also discover the Shetland Bus exhibition, the flagship of the entire museum. You will discover how this exhibition related to a clandestine and dangerous operation during the Second World War got this peculiar nickname. Should you prefer, you can instead enjoy some free time to walk along Main Street and admire the waterfront before leaving the town and journeying on through the Tingwall Valley and through peat and heather covered landscapes. En route back to Lerwick, take the opportunity to capture some of the views of the many islands that make up the Shetland archipelago.

Please note: This tour may have multiple departures throughout the ship s time in port. You will receive all information about your specific departure the day before the excursion. Scalloway Museum is closed on Saturdays.<-p>

JARLSHOF & SOUTH COAST

JARLSHOF & SOUTH COAST

Meet your English-speaking guide and leave Lerwick, a Shetland town that dates to the 1700 s, traveling to the south of the Shetland Mainland. You will see the limestone community of Fladdabister and have time to take pictures of the world s best-preserved Iron Age Broch, on the island of Mousa. Continue with a visit to Hoswick where you can visit Knitwear shops and the Hoswick Visitor Centre or enjoy free time along the unspoilt seafront. Then, you will cross the 60° North line of latitude to the rugged Atlantic coast where you can admire beach views and listen to tales of Pictish treasure looking over the white sandy beaches. At Jarlshof, Europe s most complex archaeological site, you will travel through 4.000 years of Shetland history ranging from the New Stone Age up to the 1600 s. Before returning to the port, hear legends about Shetland s culture and heritage along the way.

Please note: The visit to Jarlshof involves walking on cobbled, very narrow paths. This tour may have multiple departures throughout the ship s time in port. You will receive all information about your specific departure the day before the excursion.<-p>

WALKING TOUR

WALKING TOUR

Start your excursion in the heart of Lerwick old town at Victoria pier where you will meet your English-speaking guide and begin a journey 200 years back in time. A leisurely stroll uncovers the delights of Lerwick including the Lodberries, a group of XVIII century buildings and warehouses, Market Cross, the imposing Tolbooth and the town s intricate web of lanes. Your walk will continue to Lerwick s elegant Town Hall and on to Fort Charlotte which has dominated Lerwick since the late XVI century and from where you can enjoy panoramic views across the harbour to the island of Bressay. Shop in Lerwick for quality crafts and knitwear before returning to the ship.

Please note: This tour is unsuitable for guests with walking difficulties as it includes periods of walking on uneven ground. This tour may have multiple departures throughout the ship s time in port. You will receive all information about your specific departure the day before the excursion.<-p>

ST. NINIAN S ISLE

ST. NINIAN S ISLE

Situated on the banks of Clickimin Loch in the town of Lerwick, the amazing Clickimin Broch - a Pictish fort built around 3.000 years ago - will be the first stop on this half-day tour with your English-speaking guide. After viewing this important monument of historical Scotland, or perhaps simply watching the mallards, teal ducks and other waterfowl that call the loch home, Shetland s sparse, craggy landscape then provides a stunning backdrop for the second leg, the coach ride to Bigton, a small village by the sea. Leaving your coach for a while, you can enjoy a short walk to the so-called St. Ninian s Isle, which is actually tied to Mainland Shetland by a sliver of sediment called a tombolo. Once accessible only when the tide was out and populated until 1700, the island is now inhabited only by a thriving colony of rabbits, a flock of sheep and countless seabirds. A guided walking tour across the sands will take you to the remains of a church that is believed to be Norse. The views of sea stacks, the dramatic coastline as well as the isles of South Havra and Foula in the distance are truly spectacular. The tour then draws to a close with a scenic coach ride back your ship.

Please note: This tour is unsuitable for guests with walking difficulties.<-p>

SPECTACULAR NORTHMAVINE, RUGGED LANDSCAPE & VOLCANIC CLIFFS

SPECTACULAR NORTHMAVINE, RUGGED LANDSCAPE & VOLCANIC CLIFFS

Discover Mainland Shetland s dramatic countryside, picturesque villages, rugged scenery, and some of the most amazing coastline anywhere in the United Kingdom on this coach-based tour accompanied by an English-speaking guide. First up is the Northmavine peninsula, the northernmost part of Mainland Shetland whose only land access is via the Mavis Grind isthmus. At its narrowest point, this is the only place in the UK where you can toss a stone from the North Sea into the Atlantic Ocean. Then it s on to the Tangwick Haa Museum, a late 17th-century house built for the first Cheyne of Tangwick, a local laird. The artefacts found in the museum will tell you a lot about the harsh realities of life on Shetland in the past. Next up is Braewick Café for refreshments and unique views of the famous sea stacks known as "The Drongs", followed by Esha Ness Lighthouse, which was built by uncles of Robert Louis Stevenson in 1929. You can either stay at the lighthouse and enjoy the views from there or take a short walk along the cliffs to see some of Shetland s most amazing scenery, various seabirds and geological forms, including sea stacks, natural arches and caves. Your return journey back to Lerwick then brings the tour to a close.
A WALK THROUGH HISTORY: THE ISLAND OF MOUSA

A WALK THROUGH HISTORY: THE ISLAND OF MOUSA

The uninhabited island of Mousa is undoubtedly a special place not only because of its rugged and wild landscape, but above all because of its rich history. This half-day excursion will take you back in time to the Iron Age. After a 45-minute coach drive you will reach Sandwick to board a boat for a short transfer will allow you to disembark on this island in north-east Scotland. And although the island is home to many species of seabirds and seals, the main protagonist is undoubtedly the prehistoric tower known as the Broch of Mousa. Discover the history of this tower together with your English-speaking guide. You will discover that the tower dates from between 300 and 100 BC and is one of the best preserved from the prehistoric period. Although it is thought that the main purpose was for defence, the construction of similar towers remains shrouded in mystery to this day. You can take a close look at this 13-metre high tower and, if you wish, go in search of seal nesting sites. This is a unique opportunity for all lovers of history and nature to discover an unspoilt island inhabited only by sheep, seals, and seabirds and a couple of Shetland ponies. This exclusive tour will give you a special insight into one of Shetland s most picturesque islands.

Please note: this excursion takes place entirely on foot over uneven terrain and is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties. The opportunity to discover seal nesting sites is optional during free time on the island.<-p>

YC EXCLUSIVE: SHETLAND WILDLIFE & CATAMARAN CRUISE

YC EXCLUSIVE: SHETLAND WILDLIFE & CATAMARAN CRUISE

Exclusively crafted for MSC Yacht Club Guests, this experience combines luxury, premium service, and exclusive access to make every moment ashore memorable. Lovers of nature and wildlife will be captivated by this tour onboard a spacious catamaran, lasting two hours. Explore the Noss National Nature Reserve from the boat with a knowledgeable crew who will seek out the most likely spots to glimpse local wildlife, including a variety of seabirds and even seals.

Excursion details<-strong><-p>

Get up-close-and-personal with local seabirds and seals during this exclusive excursion around Noss National Nature Reserve.<-p>

The first 15 minutes include a short walk along the pier to the boat departure point and a short safety briefing, before boarding the M.V. Seabird, a catamaran boasting a viewing platform and plenty of outdoor and indoor space. Sail peacefully along the water for two hours, discovering gorgeous coastal views of Noss and Bressay Islands, where wildlife often congregates.<-p>

Keep an eye out for white gannets and their distinctive face colouring, which almost appears as though they are wearing makeup. It¿s likely that other waterbirds, such as shearwaters or gulls, will also be glimpsed during the journey. With some luck, it¿s even possible to spot adorable grey Shetland seals, often sunning themselves on the rocks.<-p>

Weather permitting, sail past Giant¿s Leg, a breathtaking rock arch on the southern end of Bressay. Take advantage of the stunning views and exclusive photo opportunities before returning to the ship.<-p>

Important Information:<-strong>this excursion is available for MSC Yacht Club Guests only. This tour is unsuitable for guests with mobility problems and pregnant women. Minimum age to participate: 8 years old. Dress warmly (layers) and bring lightweight waterproofs if possible and binoculars. Information available in English only. Wildlife sightings are likely but not guaranteed. This tour is subject to weather conditions.<-p>

SHETLAND CASTLE AND BROCH BIKE TOUR

SHETLAND CASTLE AND BROCH BIKE TOUR

Join this bike tour for a taster of the dramatic loch and broch landscape beyond Lerwick, which follows some of Shetland s 1000-plus miles of bike-friendly roads. You ll leave the town to head northwest, passing various points of interest along the way. Cycling among broad meadows and lochs, make your way to Scalloway Castle, which represents the main stop on your tour. The castle itself is a sophisticated and impressive example of a late 1500s tower house. One of only two castles constructed in Shetland, for many it stands as a symbol of Earl Patrick s harsh rule. Take your time and pay a visit to this interesting structure, which is free of charge. You can also visit the Scalloway Museum just opposite the castle, for a small admission fee. After the break, saddle up again and head back to Lerwick, making one last stop at the Clickimin Broch, a drystone roundhouse dating back to the late Bronze Age. Your tour then draws to a close with the cycle back to the ship.

Please note: the distance covered on this biking tour totals approx. 30 km with a 350-m gain in elevation. Children who are at least 155 cm tall are welcome to take part in this tour with the parent s-guardian s written consent.<-p>

SCOOT OFF TO SCALLOWAY BY E-BIKE

SCOOT OFF TO SCALLOWAY BY E-BIKE

Get a feel for Shetland s scenery and history and enjoy some fresh air and exercise at the same time, on this sightseeing tour via electrically assisted bicycle. Founded as an unofficial marketplace to service 17th-century Dutch herring fleets, Lerwick is the most northerly town in the UK. From the port, your route takes you out of town to the north-west, passing villages, meadows, and lakes. Take advantage of the opportunities for photo stops on the way to your main destination: Scalloway Castle. An impressive late 16th-century tower house, the castle is one of just two on the island. You ll have plenty of time to visit to the structure - admission is free - and also, if you like, the Scalloway Museum just opposite, at additional cost to be paid on spot. Then it s time to get back in the saddle. Before returning to Lerwick and the ship, the tour includes a final stop at the Clickimin Broch, a fortified farmstead whose origins have been traced back to the late Bronze Age.

Please note: the distance covered on this biking tour totals approx. 40 km with a 450-m gain in elevation. Children who are at least 155 cm tall are welcome to take part in this tour with the parent s-guardian s written consent.<-p>