• Wave icon Trip Type: Coastal, Offshore
  • Speech bubble icon Instructors: 2
  • People icon Crew Size: Max 9 (10 for ocean)
  • Cake icon Ages: 18-70 ish
  • Pin icon Region: Norway, Iceland & The Arctic
High

Adventure Rating:
High

Low to some

Experience Required:
Low to some

12 Days from £2,399

Dates, Prices & Travel

Sailing from Scotland to Norway

The Wild Islands to Norway 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. You’ll discover the rugged beauty of these wild, windswept islands from the unique vantage point of the sea. We’ll make landfall in many places to explore Orkney, Fair Isle, and Shetland’s stark, dramatic landscapes. Then we have an exhilarating 200 mile sail to the coast of Norway, finishing with some exploring of the enchanting, beautiful coastline. The Wild Islands to Norway is a unique chance to discover all these islands on one amazing adventure.

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

Rubicon 3 expeditions are genuine sailing adventures rather than luxury sailing holidays. 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 the crew have the right attitude, a desire for adventure, and a willingness 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

Scotland to norway sailing area map
Scotland to norway sailing route map
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’s Wild Islands to Norway. This 12-day sailing itinerary takes you on a thrilling journey through the stunning landscapes and seascapes of Scotland, Orkney, Fair Isle, and Shetland, covernight offshore passage to Norway and some exploration of the world famous Norwegia archipelago. Please note this is genuine adventure sailing and the wind and the weather at the time will dictate where we can go and when. This itinerary is a sample to show some of the highlights that are possible.

Ullapool

The Wild Islands to Norway adventure begins in Ullapool, a picturesque village on the shores of Loch Broom. Known for its charming harbor, Ullapool is the perfect starting point for our journey, offering a blend of Scottish culture, seafood, and stunning scenery.

Gruinard Bay

 

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!

sailing yacht under spinnaker

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, which is evident in the annual Up Helly Aa festival, which celebrates Shetland’s Viking past with fire and festivity.

shetland ox

Passage to Norway

Now we embark on the passage from the rugged shores of Shetland to the picturesque town of Florø, Norway. This is such an exhilarating sail. As we chart our course eastward, the sea transitions from the wild Atlantic to the more sheltered Norwegian coastline. The passage, approximately 200 nautical miles, is a full day and night at sea sail, so a chance to experience a genuine but brief offshore sail and hopefully witness a stunning sunset and sunrise.

Crew smiling at sea

The Norwegian coast has vast fjords, lush greenery, and the iconic rocky outcrops that make Norwegian coastal sailing so unique. It is a superb landfall after our passage from Scotland.

Exploring the Norwegian Coast to Alesund

We would hope to have a couple of final days to sail the 60 miles or so north from Floro to Alesund, giving you a chance to discover just how beautiful the Norwegian coast is.

Norwegian coast
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.

Dates, Prices & Travel

Start Date & Location

June 23, 2025
Scotland

End Date & Location

July 4, 2025
Norway

Price

£2,399

Deposit

£750

Availability

Available

Trip Information

Start Date: June 23, 2025

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: Scotland

Start Port: Ullapool

Start Marina: Ullapool

End Date: July 4, 2025

End Time: 10:00

End Country: Norway

End Port: Alesund

End Marina: Alesund

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Inverness (IATA code: INV)
Fly Out of: Alesund (IATA Code: AES)

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Ullapool harbour, Scotland.
  • It is easy to get here from Inverness Airport, with regular bus services. See timetables here.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on June 23, 2025, so you will likely need to be in Ullapool by June 22, 2025
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Ullapool
    • Alternatively, you can stay onboard the boat from 6:00 PM on a bed & breakfast basis. Select this option during your booking process.
Leaving the boat
  • You will leave the boat in Alesund, Norway.
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Alesund on the evening of July 03, 2025, and you will need to disembark by 10:00 AM, July 04, 2025.
  • It is around a 20 minute taxi ride to the airport. Details can be found here.
General Notes
  • We have a very strong track record of meeting the scheduled end date, with only a few exceptions over a decade of sailing and across hundreds of thousands of miles of sailing. However, given the nature and distance of ocean crossings, we can’t guarantee it and recommend booking flexible onward travel or at least allowing an extra day in your itinerary as a precaution.
  • You cannot stay on the boat after the trip end date.
  • Once you have booked, we will connect you up with other crew so you can liaise regarding connecting travel, meet up in advance etc.
  • If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
5-Point Pre-Booking Checklist

Before you finalize your booking, we suggest you run through our pre-booking checklist:

  1. Check Flights: Make sure you have found the right flights for your trip. Book them as soon as you have booked your Rubicon 3 trip.
  2. Travel Insurance: Once you’ve booked your trip with us, buy some sailing travel insurance. Read our full guide here.
  3. Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Some countries require this for entry, so it’s crucial to check and renew your passport if necessary.
  4. Visas: Most sailors will not require any visas for this trip. However, if you are concerned, check any visa requirements for both your destination and any transit countries. If you do need a visa, processing times can vary, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your trip.
  5. Vaccinations and Health Checks: There are no vaccinations required for this trip. Make sure you have an acceptable level of fitness and agility. You can read our guide here. This is for the safety of all on board.
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