Nordic Navigator – From Scotland’s Isles to Norway’s Wilds

Your expedition begins on Scotland's west coast

Your expedition begins in Fairlie, a small coastal village on the Firth of Clyde. Ahead lies a journey from Scotland's wild islands to the snow-covered landscapes of Arctic Norway. If time allows before boarding, take a stroll along the waterfront and explore the village. Then settle into your cabin, meet your Expedition Team and get ready for the adventure ahead.

Relax at sea

As Orkney draws closer on the horizon, this is your day to enjoy and familiarise yourself with the ship. Scan for wildlife from the deck, settle into the Explorer Lounge & Bar, or relax in the panoramic sauna or hot tub. Visit the Science Centre for insights into the destinations ahead, join a lecture from the Expedition Team, or pick up pointers on wildlife and landscape photography from our onboard expert.

Discover Norse heritage in Kirkwall

Today we visit Kirkwall, the vibrant, Viking-influenced capital of the Orkney Islands, easily explored on foot. Start with the majestic St Magnus Cathedral, built from the region's distinctive red sandstone, and admire the stone ruins of the adjacent Earl's Palace, a once-grand Renaissance building. The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae is also just a short bus ride away. Whisky lovers will appreciate the excellent single malts from Highland Park and Scapa distilleries. If gin is more your thing, the Orkney Distillery produces small-batch spirits with local botanicals.

Discover Scotland's most northerly inhabited isles

Today we reach the most northern outpost of the British Isles, docking the capital of Scotland's Shetland Islands, Lerwick. These islands have a rich heritage, and local people are justifiably proud of it. You'll see references to monuments and times past wherever you go. Walk around this friendly Victorian-influenced fishing town at your own pace. Discover the town's narrow lanes and discover little shops selling locally made products such as whiskies, woollen sweaters and fudge. By the old waterfront you'll find the Shetland Museum, charting the area's rich history. Nearby you can see Fort Charlotte and the regal-looking Town Hall.

Relax at sea

We make our way from Shetland to the soul-stirring scenery of Norway. While traversing the open waters, see how the Atlantic Isles make way for the epic landscapes and soaring mountains that rightly put Norway on the map. Take some time to relax and enjoy the facilities of your expedition ship. Soak up the scenery out on deck, warm up in the sauna, or join your Expedition Team for fascinating talks and demonstrations in the Science Centre. As we get closer to Norway's shores and the polar circle, the promise of Arctic adventure looms ever larger.

Discover Norway's second-largest glacier

Today we sail into Holandsfjord, off the rugged Helgeland coast, making our way towards the Svartisen glacier, which straddles the Arctic Circle. Raise a glass to commemorate the crossing, then head ashore with the Expedition Team. From a jetty landing, they'll lead you on a hike that culminates in a panoramic view of this extraordinary ice field. Covering around 370 square kilometres with 60 glacier 'tongues', Svartisen is Norway's second-largest glacier. Its name means 'black ice', and it's made up of two separate glaciers, Vestisen and Østisen, divided by the Vesterdalen valley. Look closely: the ice ranges from turquoise to dark blue, but never quite as black as the name suggests.

Svolvær and a polar plunge

Anticipation builds as we reach the Lofoten Islands, a pearl in the Northen seas with increasingly snowcapped peaks rising straight from the sea, narrow fjords, and picturesque fishing villages tucked along them. This iconic coastline is best explored with small ships like MS Spitsbergen. As we navigate these waters, you'll learn about Lofotfisket, the local fisheries that have sustained these communities for centuries, meeting the people who still make their living from the Arctic sea. In Svolvær, Lofoten's harbour town, another bespoke experience awaits: a Nordic Sauna and Polar Plunge. Embrace this revitalising Norwegian tradition as you warm up in a waterside sauna before plunging into the icy Arctic waters of Vestfjord.

Enjoy an exclusive adventure

As we sail towards Vesterålen, an archipelago of rolling moorlands and mountains. Here, the Expedition Team will chart the day's route based on conditions and opportunities, ensuring we make the most of what the region has to offer. If conditions allow, we'll venture into Trollfjord, where narrow waters are framed by sheer-sided cliffs. Or we'll cruise between rugged peaks through the Raftsundet Strait. And as we navigate dramatic fjords, the mountains rise so close to the ship you'll feel like you could reach out and touch them. In Stokmarknes, you'll enjoy the bespoke experience: Into the Night, An Evening at the Museum. The Hurtigruten Museum opens exclusively for our group, where you'll see the preserved MS Finnmarken, a 1956 coastal express ship, and historical exhibitions tracing Hurtigruten's heritage along Norway's coast.

Discover Norway in miniature

Senja is Norway's second-largest island, sometimes called Norway in miniature. With its rugged mountains, sandy beaches, dark forests, and idyllic fishing villages, it's easy to see how it earned the name. Keep an eye out for reindeer wandering the landscape as you go. We plan to visit a local community and experience some warm Scandinavian hospitality, learning about ancient Viking culture and what modern life looks like in these remote villages during the winter months.

Goodbye in the gateway to the Arctic

Your expedition ends in Tromsø, a city with a proud history of Arctic exploration. Around 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, it's a fitting place to bring your journey to a close. If you have time after disembarking, ride the Fjellheisen cable car for wide views over the city and surrounding mountains. Visit the striking Arctic Cathedral or settle into a cosy café before your onward journey.