• Wave icon Trip Type: Coastal
  • Speech bubble icon Instructors: 2
  • People icon Crew Size: Max 9 (10 for ocean)
  • Cake icon Ages: 18-70 ish
  • Pin icon Region: UK & Ireland
High

Adventure Rating:
High

Low to some

Experience Required:
Low to some

Sailing in Scotland, Orkney, Fair Isle, & Shetland

The Wild Islands sailing adventure is a captivating sail through Scotland’s most remote and beautiful archipelagos – the Hebrides, Orkney, Fair Isle, and Shetland, the latter islands also being known as the Northern Isles. Discover the rugged charm of these wild, windswept islands from the unique vantage point of the sea. Make landfall to explore the mystical standing stones of Orkney, the unparalleled natural beauty of the Hebrides, the rich birdlife of Fair Isle, and Shetland’s stark, dramatic landscapes. Navigate through enchanting, secluded bays surrounded by wildlife and historic sites. The Wild Islands is your chance to sail and explore these islands in all their magical glory.

Ready for the trip of a lifetime with Europe’s #1-rated adventure sailors?

Rubicon 3 expeditions are genuine sailing adventures. Depending on your chosen route, you will be off the beaten track, possibly out on the open ocean, sailing to and exploring remote and beautiful places. The expert Rubicon 3 instructors will train you and ensure you are fully involved in all aspects of the experience, including navigating, helming, trimming sails, cooking, and looking after the yacht. As a true sailing adventure, it is much less predictable (& much better!) than a packaged experience, with itineraries planned day by day and shaped by local circumstances and weather. To participate in the adventure, all we ask is that crew have an appetite for adventure, an open mind, and a desire to be fully involved.

Want to join?

Go to the Dates & Prices button to see this trip’s dates. It will also give you information on connecting travel, including where to fly and when and where to join the boat.

 

Sailing Area

scotlands wild islands area map for sailing
scotlands sailing map for wild islands route
The Yachts

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Key Information
What’s included
  • All food and accommodation on board

  • All fuel & berthing fees

  • Your own bunk and storage area

  • Use of oilskins

  • Use of lifejacket with PLB

  • All sailing tuition

  • RYA Competent Crew (supplementary fee)

What’s Not included
  • Your connecting travel to & from boat

  • Sailing & travel insurance

  • Meals you choose to eat ashore

  • Alcohol

  • Visas (where required)

  • Discretionary crew tip

Interested in dates & availability?

To see when this trip runs, its start and end locations, price to join the crew and availability, click on the ‘Dates, Prices & Travel’ button up top.

Discretionary tipping of the Rubicon 3 crew

We’ve priced this trip 5-10% lower than we otherwise would to allow you the option, at the end of your adventure, to offer a discretionary tip to the Rubicon 3 skipper and mate if you feel they’ve provided exceptional service. A combined tip of 5-10% is suggested but is entirely at your discretion and based on your satisfaction with their performance. See our FAQs here.

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!

We get it – joining a major sailing adventure is a big decision, and it’s natural to have lots of questions before you book. Wondering who else will be onboard? What the experience will be like? These and many more questions are completely normal. While our homepage and FAQs provide loads of info, we know sometimes it’s best to talk it through. Don’t hesitate to contact us by phone, email, or live chat (at the bottom of the screen). Better yet, we’d suggest you schedule a call. Most crew who join do and find it really useful. We can discuss your options, answer every question, and make sure you’re booking on the perfect trip for you.

Welcome to Scotland and the wild and spectacular islands off its west and north coasts. This 12-day sailing itinerary takes you on a thrilling journey through the stunning landscapes and seascapes of the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Fair Isle, and Shetland. The wind and the weather at the time dictate where we can go and when. Here are some of the highlights that are possible.

Stornoway

The Wild Islands begins and ends in Stornoway, the jewel of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. The bustling port town is a captivating blend of history and natural beauty and is renowned for its maritime heritage. It has been the epicenter of Hebridean life since the early 19th century, and the historic Lews Castle overlooks a harbor teeming with life.

castle on lewis

Handa Wildlife Reserve

Handa is home to one of the largest seabird breeding colonies in Europe. The island’s beautiful cliffs rise vertically out of the sea and are home to over 100,000 breeding seabirds, including guillemots and razorbills. You will also likely see marauding Skuas, Kittiwakes, Fulmars, and Puffins. From the cliffs, there are spectacular views north to Cape Wrath and south to the point of Stoer. The island has rich and varied plant life and is also an excellent location to spot cetaceans such as the common dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, minke whale, and basking sharks.

puffins

 

Passage to Orkney

It’s a wonderful 70-80 mile sail around the very top of Scotland to the Orkney islands. You’ll round Cape Wrath into the North Sea and sail east toward the Pentland Firth and Orkney. Depending on the weather, it is a long day of sailing, so expect a start at dawn as the Sun creeps over the horizon and a late afternoon finish in time for Fish and Chips in town!

yacht hummingbird

 

Orkney

Orkney is a mesmerizing blend of ancient history and breathtaking natural landscapes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of Europe’s most well-preserved Neolithic sites, including the mystical Ring of Brodgar and the ancient village of Skara Brae, giving a glimpse into life over 5,000 years ago. Orkney has an incredible history, from these enigmatic stone circles to the remnants of World War I and II, seen in the Churchill Barriers and the haunting Italian Chapel, a symbol of hope built by prisoners of war. The islands are rich in wildlife, with rugged coastlines and a real natural beauty, from dramatic cliffs to serene beaches.

Orkney

Fair Isle

60 miles northeast of Orney is the remote island of Fair Isle. Sometimes, the weather will not allow us to stop here, but it is a beautiful goal to aim for. The island is a world-famous location for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, being a pivotal point for migratory birds. Fair Isle is also famed for its distinctive hand-knitted sweaters, a tradition that dates back centuries. Surrounded by spectacular cliffs and the open sea, Fair Isle’s isolation has preserved a way of life that offers a rare glimpse into a more spartan, connected existence.

fair isle

Shetland

Another 40 miles northeast are the most rugged and wild Isands of all – the Shetland Islands, where we can spend a few days exploring. Just 150 miles southeast of the Faroe Islands, Shetland is a subarctic archipelago of Scotland and a land of stark, wild beauty with rich Norse heritage. Located at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the North Sea, it has a unique cultural tapestry woven from Scottish and Scandinavian influences. Shetland is renowned for its coastline, with over a hundred islands, each offering dramatic cliffs, remote beaches, and abundant wildlife. The islands are steeped in history, from ancient Pictish ruins to the Viking legacy evident in the annual Up Helly Aa festival, which celebrates Shetland’s Viking past with fire and festivity. We will likely finish the adventure with one overnight sail back to Stornoway, giving us a magical night under the stars, sailing in a watch system, and making memories for life.

shetland ox

A brief overview of the sealife you might encounter on this itinerary:

  • Scallops: You’ll find some of the best scallops in Scotland around the waters of Scalpay, a small island in the Outer Hebrides. These delicious shellfish are often served in local restaurants and are a must-try for seafood lovers.
  • Whales and Dolphins: The waters around the Outer Hebrides and the Shetland Isles, in particular, are home to various whale and dolphin species, including killer whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and Risso’s dolphins. Watch for these majestic creatures as you sail through the region.
  • Seals: The coasts of Scotland are home to several species of seals, including grey and common seals. You can often see them basking on rocks or swimming in the water.
  • Birds: The islands of Orkney and Fair Isle are important breeding grounds for many bird species, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars. You can also spot a variety of seabirds, such as gannets and kittiwakes, as you sail along the coast.
  • Fish: The waters around Scotland are teeming with fish, including Atlantic salmon, cod, herring, and mackerel. You might also spot less common species, such as anglerfish or monkfish.

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