Inhaltsverzeichnis
– Day 8 – STORNOWAY, SCOTLAND
Stornoway is the capital of the twin islands of the Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. The “Herring Girls” statue erected at Stornoway harbor is a reminder of the successful fishing era at the beginning of the 19th century.
Once again it was time to get out of bed early. Today we went ashore again with Zodiacs. Jenny, our tour guide, was waiting there to tell us interesting things about the country and people on the two islands of the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris on the bus ride to the Callanish Standing Stones from around 3000 BC.
Callanish Standing Stones
Early in the morning our tour group was able to walk – almost – alone through the mighty and mystical standing stones of Callanish*. These stones are therefore older than the better-known Stonehenge stone ring*. And it's already 4,600 years old.
Our excursion continued in about 45 minutes through the impressive moorland landscape to the other side of the island where peat is even cut.
Blackhouses
This peat is still used, for example: the Blackhouses, our next destination, are heated by peat. Blackhouses Village is located right on the seafront. The last of these houses was lived in by a married couple until the 1970s. Today the Blackhouses are a museum, of course with a small café and shop. We enjoyed a typical shortbread and smelled the typical smoke of the peat oven as well as the fresh sea breeze. Café und Shop. Wir genossen ein typisches shortbread und schnuppern dabei sowohl den typischen Rauch des Torf-Ofens wie auch die frische Meeresbrise.
Then we drove across the island through the moor fields back to the port of Stornway and took the Zodiac to the SH VEGA. Because there was a second excursion coming up: SH VEGA. Denn es stand noch eine zweite Excursion an:
– LOCH EWE, SCHOTTLAND -
Swan Hellenic’s slogan “See, what others don’t” has now become true. It was only possible to enter Loch Ewe from the Atlantic via the River Ewe with a small cruise ship like the SH Vega.
Loch Ewe is in the west of Scotland. Loch Ewe is actually not a lake, but flows into the Atlantic like a fjord.
You could only travel to the small private island in Loch EWE with the Zodiac and only as a guest of the SH VEGA, everything was completely exclusive.
After a short walk we went back to the SH VEGA and continued the journey towards Oban in Scotland.
– Day 9 – OBAN, SCOTLAND
Today we treated ourselves to the luxury of a late breakfast in the Club Lounge. Although the selection at the buffet wasn't as large as in the restaurant, it was as extensive as on some large cruise ships. It was also quieter as only a few other passengers had a late breakfast.
Here, too, the crew knew what we were drinking for breakfast without us having to say anything. This is service in the luxury segment.
At around 10 a.m. we grabbed our life jackets and made our way to the base camp on deck 3. Today we had to take the Zodiac to the port of Oban again.
We came ashore in the closed part of the small harbor. Unfortunately, our booked tour with a visit to the local whiskey distillery was canceled - we'll just go on our own.
The small town of Oban with its numerous souvenir shops, cafes and pubs was quickly explored and we set off to climb the hill on which McCaigs Tower stands.
McCaig’s Tower
McCaig's Tower is Oban's landmark. It was built by a local banker John McCaig between 1890 and 1900 to provide wages and bread for the workers of Oban. McCaig's Tower was never completed and is now a public garden with beautiful views over Oban Bay.
The McCaigs Tower, similar to an amphitheater, was reached on foot via a fairly long flight of stairs. The view is definitely worth the effort!
Whisky Destillery Oban
From up there we could already see the Whiskey Distillery, our next scheduled stop. However, today (Sunday) all whiskey tastings only started at 1 p.m. So we fortified ourselves first in a nearby PUB with a local PINT and a sandwich. Then we went to the distillery. In the Distillery Bar we were able to try four different types of Oban whiskey for 25 EUR. Of course we found what we were looking for and now had to get back to the harbor quickly so that we didn't fall out of the Zodiac after the rich tasting.
At the closed port gate, we were of course let in by Dali, the crew member of the SH Vega, and transferred to the SH VEGA via Zodiac.
Already knew? Oban is pronounced: Ohhhh-bin.
Captains Fairwell
At around 5:30 p.m. Captain Strommes set off and headed for our next destination Portrush in Northern Ireland. Or not? Captain Svein Strommes invited Captains Fairwell to the Observation Lounge today.
Small delicacies were served, there was champagne and the chef had prepared small pancakes (blinis) with caviar.
Captain Strommes thanked everyone for taking part in the trip and introduced almost his entire crew again. After another excellent dinner, we ended the evening by the fireplace in the Club Lounge.
Our travel reports: Cruise with the SH Vega
- Want to get to know Swan Hellenic!
„See, what others don’t”- is the slogan and concept of Swan Hellenic. Get to know the SH Vega from Swan Hellenic with us. - Around Ireland and Scotland on board the SH Vega
We have long wanted to discover Ireland, the land of green hills, myths and legends and breathtaking landscapes. Now, a dream comes true. Ireland and Scotland discover together on our cruise with the SH Vega from Swan Hellenic. - Along the English Coast – Fowey – Tresco – Bantry
We'll take you on our cruise along the English coast - visit Fowey, the small historic fishing town on the west coast of England - explore the flower island of Tresco - continue to Ireland in Bantry Bay Tresco – Weiter nach Irland in die Bantry Bay - We only knew the Hebrides from the weather report and Galway only from a song
Wir trafen das Galway We met the Galway Girl - Were greeted by the town crier - Spotted a typical pup - Stood near the edge and explored the island of Iona in Scotland - Heavy seas, stones, Scottish fjords without Nessi but with whisky
Stonehenge, who doesn't know it? We visited the no less well-known Callanish Standing Stones - Swan Hellenic's slogan “See what others don’t” also became a reality - Spectacular rocky landscapes, Puffins and Dublin
The crazy man in the Texas hat accompanied us to the rocky landscapes at the Giant’s Causeway – the castle from GOT – before we explored Dublin with the Guinness Brewery Giant’s Causeway – der Burg aus GOT – bevor wir Dublin mit der Guinness-Brauerei erkundeten
Werbung: Advertising. Participation in the cruise on the SH Vega was partially supported by Swan Hellenic and took place at the invitation of Swan Hellenic. This has no influence on the reporting and we have only described our own experiences and impressions.
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