We woke up on the dock in Lerwick, the same place we went to sleep. It was another beautiful morning, and we made choices about places to go for hiking and sightseeing. Today was our last full day of the voyage. It was a full day with the morning spent on the Shetland mainland and the early afternoon at Noss Head to observe nesting seabirds from the ship. Then we headed to Bergen, Norway.
6/28/2023
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National Geographic Explorer
Unst and Lerwick, Shetland Islands
This morning, National Geographic Explorer arrived at anchor off the shore of Unst, the third largest of the Shetland Islands and the northernmost inhabited point in the UK. Clouds dispelled to reveal some blue skies as the guests arrived at the dock by Zodiac. Half the group chose to hike to Hermaness Hill at the northernmost tip of the island. Guests encountered spectacular, sweeping views of the landscape, as well as the extensive gannet colony on the cliffs of the Neap. Local sheep also shared in guests’ views of the rugged landscape. The other half of the group embarked on a morning coach tour of some of Unst’s most scenic locations. This offered insight into both the geology and history of the island. The heritage centre and the Boat Haven represent the distinctive lifestyles enjoyed by residents of the island for centuries. A highlight of the tour was a reconstructed Viking longhouse and longboat, which offered a fascinating look back at the Norse heritage of the island. After lunch on board, National Geographic Explorer sailed to Lerwick while guests enjoyed a presentation from the expedition diver. The early evening offered a walking tour and free time in Lerwick, during which guests explored the sights to learn about the history of the city and its Iron Age roots.
