Having departed the Faroe Islands the previous evening, we headed back out onto the Atlantic Ocean for the final two stops of our British Isles cruise with Cruise & Maritime Voyages. The extraordinary scenes we had witnessed on our last call had given us a real sense of excitement and – heading to Stornoway and the Orkney Islands – we were unaware of what to expect next. The Faroe Islands had been a real eye-opener for everyone on board. The dramatic landscapes and scattered, rural communities were like a trip to another time. The Faroese way of life seems so remote to our own that it is hard to put the island into any context. Suffice to say there is an element of magic that surrounds them.
However, onto our final two days onboard.
Both Stornoway and the Orkey Islands possess a very strong identity. Both have their own idiosyncrasies and, in short, are a perfect example of why a British cruise is proving to be such a successful proposition in the current market.
Stornoway, on the island of Harris, is the only place in the world which is legally allowed to make Harris Tweed. So what visit to the Outer Hebrides would be complete without a tour of one of its famous mills? As a method of manufacturing, it hasn’t changed for years. These are traditions which have been established to keep the trade within the region and the area becomes part of that heritage narrative. All wool must be weaved in the workers own home for instance. These mills are a way of life for many of the local population here and there is a fierce pride over the product – and for good reason. We are walked past samples which will be shipped to Japan, bundles that will be sent to Germany and an inconspicuous parcel which contains Prince Charles’ hunting jacket. All of this comes from a tiny building on the Outer Hebrides. It’s a real insight into a way of life which hasn’t changed for centuries and, thanks to the Harris Tweed Trust, will continue to flourish well into the future.
In a complete contrast, the Orkney Islands have a very different identity. The islands are littered with historic sites. These range from monolithic stone circles to Viking cathedrals and Italian chapels built by prisoners of war in World War Two. For a history buff, this is what British Isles cruising is all about. Within three sites one can get huge swathes of British history within a comparatively minute space.
And this is one of the foremost reasons why the British Isles are becoming such a rich destination. As natives, we are very British about our patriotism – we don’t shout about it from the rooftops and more often than not, we’d rather go somewhere where we’re guaranteed good weather too. However, the UK has one of the richest and culturally diverse histories in the world. During the current economic downturn, why not ask your customers to use this time to take advantage of that. As Brits we are proud of our country’s history but how many people have been to the famous sites themselves? With more and more companies like Cruise & Maritime Voyages offering these experiences, it’s little wonder that the British are finally realising what a wonderful tourist attraction we have on our own shores.
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