Sailing Across the North Sea: From Iceland to Scotland

YOUR SAILING AREA

Iceland > Faroe > Shetland > Orkney > Scotland

Join Tecla in Iceland’s capital, the vibrant city of Reykjavik is a cultural hub of rich history, modern architecture and a lively arts scene. Perhaps spend some time before you board exploring the city, relaxing in the natural hot springs and getting to know the unique Icelandic way of life.

Our first stop will be the Westman Islands, just south off the coast of Iceland. Apart from a large Puffin colony, the islands have much to offer for those interested in geology and the natural world. This group of Islands is only 12000 years old and in 1973 a volcanic fissure opened up the main Island and a new volcano, Eldfell gushed out lava streams.

Leaving Vestmannaeyjar, we’ll leave land in the horizon and head into the open ocean, setting course for the Faroe Islands covering over 400 nm. Consisting of 18 islands, there is so much unspoiled nature, amazing walks and miles on end to sail between the islands. If the weather is fair, the cliffs off Slaettaratindur will be visible from a great distance. These are Europe’s highest sea cliffs at 882m above sea level. Our first port of call will be Torshavn, the capital of the islands, with its iconic black houses and stunning gardens. The Islands have much to offer, like the Viking excavation site at Kvivik.

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We’ll spend a few days exploring and sailing the coast, visiting the Viking excavation sites at Kvivik and exploring the natural harbour of Gjogv. Perhaps make the hike to Ambadalur Valley and gaze at the marvellous site of Bugvin, the tallest freestanding cliff column in the Faroes! 

Leaving this North Atlantic archipelago, another stretch of open water lies ahead of us. The 190nm should normally take no more than 36 hours. The famous old herring port of Lerwick on the Shetlands will be our next stop, providing some shelter and a chance to restock the ship. The island of Unst will be the last stop on the Shetlands, where we can explore the Hermaness National Nature Reserve, which has a great variety of wildlife and birds. 

Spend a few days sailing through the islands, perhaps visiting the prehistoric Jarlshof and Norse settlement and perhaps even reaching the tiny remote island of Fair Isle. Lying halfway between the Orkneys and Shetland, Fair Isle is one of Britain’s most successful remote communities and is known for the warmth of its welcome to visitors.

Orkney Islands

Depending on the wind and weather, Westray or Sanday will be our first stop as we sail to the Orkney Islands. Both Islands offer great cultural history as well as unspoiled beaches with a large range of wildlife. From seals to otters, orcas, dolphins and sometimes the elusive sperm whale, there’s always something to spot! 

Navigating between the rocks and stacs, Stromness is our next port of call where we can take an excursion to Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe. Hoy is Orkney’s second largest Island rising dramatically from the sea, we’ll spend a night here before sailing back towards Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis where we can explore the Gearannan black house village and the Callanisch standing stones.

Our last port will be Ullapool on the West coast of Scotland as we end an epic sailing adventure together.

Below is a rough guide of what we expect the itinerary to be but please bear in mind that we will be at the mercy of the wind!

Day 1: Welcome aboard Reykjavik.
Day 2: Set sail for Vestmannaeyjar
Day 3-6: Sail across to Faroe Islands. Some proper blue water sailing, with all the possibilities of seeing whales and killer whales underway!
Day 7-10: Exploring some of the islands of Faroe.
Day 11: Sailing to the Shetland Islands.
Day 12-15: Exploring some of the Shetland islands, including Fair Isle if wind and weather permit.
Day 16: Sail to the Orkneys.
Day 16-19: Discovering the Orkney Islands and Outer Hebrides.
Day 20-21: Discover Outer Hebrides and set sail for Ullapool.
Day 22: Disembark in Ullapool.

All voyages for Tecla

Tecla

Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff Ketch

Originally built in 1915 for herring fishing in the North Sea, expedition vessel Tecla was designed to withstand tough sea conditions. Her steel hull makes her a comfortable and safe choice for exploring some amazing locations around the world. From Greenland to Chile, to Patagonia and to icy Antarctica, Tecla is well-versed in taking guests to far-flung destinations.

Sitting 28 metres long over deck, she can accommodate up to 12 guests in twin en-suite cabins and has a permanent crew of 3-4. She is owned and sailed by a family of professional sailors who love to share their passion for sailing and the natural world with their guests.

The appearance of the Tecla has been kept as traditional as possible but combined with modern techniques and equipment. Below decks, she has a cosy saloon and seating area, a well-equipped galley and six spacious twin bunk ensuite cabins, each with a porthole.

Tecla sails around the world throughout the year, with voyages varying in length. Depending on the length and type of voyage you choose, you will be included in the daily running of Tecla, and guests will soon become part of the sailing family!

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Read more about what to expect from Life on Board here.

Life on board

Sailing with expedition vessel Tecla is a true authentic adventure where every voyage promises to create life-long memories. Join her seafaring family, where guests are welcomed to learn the ropes alongside the knowledgeable crew and share experiences with fellow guests in awe-inspiring destinations.

Getting Involved

Setting the sails on Tecla is a beautiful challenge. This lady is over 100 years old and has two masts, 6 sails and some heavy spars that need to go up! The crew of Tecla has worked on her rigging for years to perfect her sailing qualities. She can sail close hauled or down wind, she can sail in very light weather and she handles well in rough weather. 

Guests are encouraged to actively participate in every aspect of Tecla’s sailing journey. From raising all the sails to trying their hand at the helm, participants can fully engage in this adventure by immersing themselves in the elements and revelling in the experience. The ship provides a warm and humbling atmosphere, allowing guests to embrace life aboard a traditionally rigged vessel while exploring some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. 

Typically operated by a dedicated crew of 3-4 members, Tecla accommodates a maximum of 12 guests. The deliberately small group size fosters an intimate experience, enabling genuine connections to form between the crew and guests.

Keeping Watch

It is not always necessary to start a voyage with watches. On many voyages Tecla sets sail in the morning to be at anchor or moored somewhere new every evening. This way, all guests can be part of the sailing and the anchor watches are done by the professional crew.

It only becomes necessary to ‘do’ watches as soon as one or more nights are to be sailed through and more than 24 hours are spent out at sea. This way, there are always enough people on the deck to handle the sails and keep a lookout. Tecla works a three watch schedule, this means you will be on watch for 4 hours, have 8 hours of rest and then again you will be on watch for 4 hours. So within 24 hours you will be on watch for 8 hours.

The watches are divided into the Red, White and Blue watch.

Red: 00:00 – 04:00 and 12:00 – 16:00 hours
White: 04:00 – 08:00 and 16:00 – 20:00 hours
Blue: 08:00 – 12:00 and 20:00 – 24:00 hours

Each watch has a watch leader, one of the permanent crew. The crew will give you instructions during your watch. For example, your first watch might be filled with instructions on what watchkeeping is. You will be told what is expected, and you will be informed about the navigational equipment on board. 

Watch keeping means being out on deck, awake, and helping out where necessary. You will sit on the aft relaxing, being on the lookout, or, with bad visibility, being on the front of the Tecla on the lookout. You will be steering the vessel in turns. Three watches mean that the watches are never bigger than six people. 

For the comfort of all those on board a schedule will be decided with everyone and we will try and stick to it. While watches are in progress, breakfast will be at 08:00, lunch will be at 12:00 and dinner at 18:00. 

Dining at Sea

An important part of the day on Tecla, the food is always influenced by her surroundings. The dynamic menu remains flexible, adapting to the unique flavours of each locale. Whenever possible, food is sourced locally, so you can eat tapas, peppers, and plantain in the Canary Islands and fresh fruit, beef, and rice in Brazil. 

For colder climates and around the North Sea, you will find a Dutch specialty of “stamppot” – mashed potatoes and smoked sausages! Our cooks have a passion for food and make sure that her meals look and taste amazing. Our favourites are lasagne, Lamb curry’s and fresh fish on the BBQ or from our smoker.

During a longer stay on board, you will hardly ever see the same dish come by. Most of our meals are served with a salad or fruit on the side. On longer trips we take good care of our vegetables and fruit to ensure that you will enjoy fresh food as long as possible.

A Typical Day

When we are underway, breakfast is at 08.00. This is usually a buffet where you will find fresh baked bread with cereals and porridge. When we are anchored or in harbour, breakfast time is a little more flexible and we’ll be outside if the weather is nice! Sometimes we’ll have eggs, or ‘wentelteefjes’ (French toast), or a fresh fruit salad.

Lunch is almost always served with something warm or special from soup, sausage rolls, fresh fruit or special bread.

Dinner is at 18:00 when we are sailing. When the weather is good and it is still nice and light outside we will serve dinner in a buffet style outside. If this is not possible you will find a buffet downstairs with the possibility to eat inside or outside. When we are not sailing and eating inside, you can find a set table where we can enjoy the meal together.

Below Decks

Recently refurbished, there are six twin bunk, ensuite cabins on Tecla. Nestled into the mid-ship, they’re spacious, comfortable and steady whilst underway. All beds are at least 80cm wide and over 2meters long, thoughtfully equipped with a dedicated reading light for personalised comfort.. All cabins are ensuite with a wet cell shower and plenty of hot water! Ample storage space for clothes and conveniently located storage beneath the beds cater to the needs of longer voyages and travellers with soft suitcases or rucksacks.

The communal area at the front of the ship has cosy cushioned seating and two tables for meal times and evening entertainment with a warm and inviting atmosphere..There’s a little nook tucked opposite the dining area that’s perfect for some relaxation while reading a book.

Things to note

Sailing vs Shoretime

Do I need to take part in night watches?

Do I need insect repellent?

Kit list

Tecla has limited space for possessions so please be considerate and travel as light as possible. There is no storage for rigid cases – please bring your items in a soft bag.

We recommend a travelling light principal with lots of lightweight, easy drying layers. Below is list of recommended items, these are not mandatory and those that have sailed before may have their own preferences!

CLOTHES

• T-shirts/tops to wear inside the vessel, as temperatures are comfortably warm 
• Waterproof trousers, such as Gore-Tex
• Thermal underwear of wool, silk or polypropylene 
• Sweaters or fleece jacket of medium weight. 
• Gloves (and more than one pair)
• Woolen hat and scarf to protect your ears and neck 
• Waterproof/windproof jacket 

• Walking boots for onshore
• Light shoes/slippers (for on the boat)
• Waterproof rubber boots

• Small personal first aid kit and any medication you may need
• Camera/binoculars 
• Personal wash kit (please use reef safe, eco products where possible)
• Charging cables for personal devices (there are 12v USB sockets to charge devices in each bunk)
• A good book to read!
• We advise sleep masks and/or ear plugs!
• Consider a small backpack/bag for onshore exploring

Travel Documents

•  Please assume full responsibility for checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements to the country if/as required.

What’s included

• Full Board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets, duvet & towels)
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket

What’s not included

• Alcohol
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses
• Visa/passport

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, water and hot drinks are all included.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Tecla caters for meat eaters & vegetarians only.

• Are there any added extra's?

  There's an honesty bar for soft drinks and alcohol.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  There are 6x twin-bunk ensuite cabins.

• Is there a porthole in my cabin?

  Yes, all cabins have a porthole

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  Each cabin has it's own ensuite (shower and toilet)

• Is bedding included?

  All bedding and a towel is included but please bring your own swim towels (if needed). Micro-fibres are a great lightweight, quick-drying alternative.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  Yes, on longer voyages (over 20days) guests can use one wash.

• Is there heating on board?

  Yes, there is full heating running throughout the boat.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but very much appreciated.

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English

• Is there WIFI?

  No! It's time to disconnect from the modern conforms and reconnect with nature! When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes - there are USB sockets available in each cabin.

• What is the currency on board?

  As a general rule, guests can use Euro's

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Tecla is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy and climbing up the boats step ladder over the gunwale - there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not - just a love for adventure.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but if you're worried, we recommend taking tablets 24 hours before you travel.

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  No

Travel Planning

From: Reykjavík, Iceland

To: Ullapool, Scotland

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

Getting There

Reykjavík, Iceland

Fly to/from International Airport, Keflavik. There is a bus to the airport which is about a 30 minute walk from the boat (or take a taxi).

Getting Home

Ullapool, Scotland

BY RAIL

There are no rail links to Ullapool but the nearest station is Garve where you can get train links to the city of Inverness where you can pick up connections to most of the UK.  Garve station is about a 40 minute taxi drive from Ullapool. Check ScotRail for timetables. 

BY AIR

There are direct flights into Inverness (INV) Airport, which is about one hour to Ullapool by car/taxi. This is the easiest way to Ullapool. There is a bus service from the airport into Inverness which takes about 30 minutes.