In a nutshell

An ideal excursion for those wishing to see some wildlife on an unspoilt island inhabited by seals and sea birds, plus one of the best-preserved iron-age towers in Great Britain.

Main stops

South Mainland
Sightings of seals and porpoises
Mousa Island
Broch of Mousa
Sightings of numerous sea bird species
Magnificent views of unspoilt scenery

The programme

Leaving the ship in Lerwick, we head south to Sandwick by coach.
We travel along the eastern coast of the island where we will admire the magnificent landscape that surrounds us, with a sea view on one side and the gentle hills of South Mainland on the other and small towns scattered here and there.
Having arrived at the Sandwick jetty, the skipper will lead us on board the boat headed for the nearby uninhabited island of Mousa. With a bit of luck, during the crossing, we may spot the herds of seals and porpoises for which the island is famous. The latter are mammals related to dolphins and are found in the strait of Mousa from May to September
Having arrived on the Island of Mousa, we set off on foot to the famous Broch of Mousa, one of the most imposing prehistoric towers in Scotland. At thirteen metres, it is the highest and best-preserved prehistoric tower in the whole of Great Britain. We'll admire its mysterious features and wonder about its purpose. It probably had a variety of uses including military defence. Given its majestic appearance, it may also have had considerable symbolic value.
Along the way we will come across a panoramic viewpoint where it is possible to spot numerous species of sea bird such as the Arctic tern, the great skua and the Arctic skua, not to mention the six hundred or so couples of nocturnal storm petrels that live on the island. In short, in terms of protected species, Mousa is a true paradise.
Depending on our interests, we can choose to focus on Mousa's wildlife or continue to admire the magnificent views of unspoilt scenery and take photographs of the tower.
We return to Lerwick at the end of the visit.

Good to know

Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.
This excursion is not recommended for guests who suffer from seasickness or guests with mobility problems.
We recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed as the species described live freely in the wild.