UP HELLY AA

We leave the capital and head north to St. Andrews – the ‘Home of Golf'. This town boasts one of the world’s oldest (English-speaking) Universities – which also happens to be where lovebirds Prince William and Catherine Middleton first hooked up! It's then further up the east coast to see the dramat....

We leave the capital and head north to St. Andrews – the ‘Home of Golf'. This town boasts one of the world’s oldest (English-speaking) Universities – which also happens to be where lovebirds Prince William and Catherine Middleton first hooked up! It's then further up the east coast to see the dramatically located Dunnottar Castle, which was once a hiding place for the Scottish Crown Jewels in the 17th century’s political turmoil. These castle ruins are picture perfect, so make sure you have your camera at the ready! We continue to Aberdeen, the ‘Granite City’, where we begin the adventure as we board the ferry and embark upon our voyage on the North Sea. Head to the bar for a drink to try, find your sea legs and get to know your fellow passengers. This is an overnight journey and will arrive in Lerwick the next morning, so there’s plenty time to get to know your HAGGiS Clan.

We start off with exploring Clickimin Broch – an impressive ruin of a round house found only in Scotland. Next, we move to Scalloway, the original capital of Shetland with its mighty castle and breathe in some fresh sea air as we spend time at the stunning beach at St Ninian's Isle. From here we h....

We start off with exploring Clickimin Broch – an impressive ruin of a round house found only in Scotland. Next, we move to Scalloway, the original capital of Shetland with its mighty castle and breathe in some fresh sea air as we spend time at the stunning beach at St Ninian's Isle. From here we head to Jarlshoff - one of Shetland's finest prehistoric sites with 4,000 years of human settlement history. We then sample the island's southern scenery and sit amongst the huge bird population within the Nature Reserve of Sumburgh Head. There'll undoubtedly be some revelling in town with the locals in preparation for tomorrow’s festivities.

The big day dawns! In the morning there's the Viking procession and a chance to have your picture taken beside this year’s 'Jarl' (Chief Viking). In the afternoon you have time to explore Lerwick and a chance to get warmed up with a dance! And then the evening kicks off with the Junior Jarl Squad pr....

The big day dawns! In the morning there's the Viking procession and a chance to have your picture taken beside this year’s 'Jarl' (Chief Viking). In the afternoon you have time to explore Lerwick and a chance to get warmed up with a dance! And then the evening kicks off with the Junior Jarl Squad procession, which is the youngster’s version of the full-blown affair. Get ready, it’s going to get hot as the streets get filled with a thousand ‘guizers’ (local performers aka the ferociously-looking Viking Squads) carrying their fiery torches. Now the festival reaches a crescendo as a full-size replica Viking longship is dragged across the streets to be ceremonially burnt. After you’ve had your fill of this phenomenal sight, it’s time to party!

After a leisurely breakfast, we venture north taking in the ancient Tingwall Parliament and explore the silent and secluded Lunna area on the east coast – a perfect area to clear your head after all the previous shenanigans. On the way back we will have a couple fantastic selfie spots and our Guide ....

After a leisurely breakfast, we venture north taking in the ancient Tingwall Parliament and explore the silent and secluded Lunna area on the east coast – a perfect area to clear your head after all the previous shenanigans. On the way back we will have a couple fantastic selfie spots and our Guide will recount stories connected to this area. A return to Lerwick allows free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or a visit to the Shetland Museum. Sadly, we need to bid farewell to rugged Shetland and board an overnight ferry back to mainland Scotland.

Back in the mainland! We travel through spectacular Aberdeenshire, which alone is home to over 300 castles! We head to the Royal Deeside in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. This part of Scotland was Queen Victoria’s favourite, she liked it so much that she decided Balmoral Castle would be ....

Back in the mainland! We travel through spectacular Aberdeenshire, which alone is home to over 300 castles! We head to the Royal Deeside in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. This part of Scotland was Queen Victoria’s favourite, she liked it so much that she decided Balmoral Castle would be her summer residence in Scotland. Since then, it’s been visited by all the Royals. We follow in the footsteps of the Royal Family and pass Crathie Kirk, their place of worship when at their Highland residence. We also visit the resting place of John Brown, ghillie to Queen Victoria and made famous in the movie Mrs Brown starring Billy Connolly. We then make our way through the spectacular mountains on the way back to Edinburgh. After an epic five days of gallivanting in Shetland and hanging around with the Vikings, it’s time to say good bye to your friends. This might just be the most memorable trip you will ever make!