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.
5/8/2025
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National Geographic Explorer
The West Coast of Ireland
Today marked the day we entered Irish waters, and we were incredibly lucky to continue being graced with the most uncommon weather for the British and Irish Isles – calm seas and clear, sunny skies! These spectacular conditions made for a wonderful morning spent watching dolphins ride the bow of National Geographic Explorer. We enjoyed smooth sailing for our presentations, including a fantastic talk about Climate Justice and the Climate and Nature Crisis by the amazing Mary Robinson, the first female President of Ireland. After lunch, we visited the Aran Island of Inishmore where we enjoyed wonderful hospitality on the small island of less than 800 people. We admired the spectacular views from the steep sea cliffs near Dun Aengus. To round out a delightful first day exploring the coast of Ireland, we carried on cruising with calm sea conditions, the stunning cliffs of Moher on our port side, and a glowing sunset on our starboard side.