Wild Scotland Conservation Cruise summary - May 2026

This voyage around the Scottish coast was unlike any before it. It took in Scotland’s most wild, extreme and remote islands, showcased its incredible wildlife and bought elements of its fascinating history, culture and geology to the fore. World-class scenery was the order of each and every day as we explored no fewer than 17 islands and island groups including landing on the UNESCO World Heritage island of Hirta, St Kilda, and visiting a bustling Fair Isle where the community made us feel incredibly welcome. Other stand out experiences included the grandeur of the Shiant Islands, the Isle of May and its thousands of Puffins, zodiacing under the 600ft cliffs of Noss and exploring the fascinating island of Unst, as well as getting to the rarely visited islands of North Rona, Sula Sgeir and the Monarch islands.

Zodiacing the Shiant Islands where we watched 12 White-tailed Eagles alongside 10,000s auks

The highlights came thick and fast. Exploring the deserted village of St Kilda shrouded in tragic history, a dozen White-tailed Eagles cruising above thousands of auks on the Shiant Islands, watching the Atlantic Ocean ebb and flow in to Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, enjoying point-blank views of Corncrake as it fed and ‘crexed’ away on Mingulay and tucking into freshly-made tray bakes in a recreated Viking Longhouse on house, to name but a handful.

Two pods of Orca on the same day had us scratching our heads as to which individuals were involved and amazingly, we found three Humpback Whales around Shetland including a female and tiny calf. We also had the honour of naming a new Risso’s Dolphin individual spotted by the team off the coast of Lewis.

A spectacular encounter with not one but two pods of Orca around Sula Sgeir and North Rona

One of the biggest achievements of the voyage was also supporting three charities; The Scottish ornithologists Club, The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, with over £12,000 raised for the organisation and all going towards conservation in Scotland.

St Kilda is always a highlight for everyone, especially when you get to land as we did.