Expedition Sailing from Iceland to Scotland
- Vessel: Valiente
- Where: Iceland/Scotland
- Duration: 15 days
- Embark: Isafjordur, Iceland - 6 September 2023, 12:00
- Disembark: Mallaig, Scotland - 20 September 2023, 12:00
Sorry you’ve missed the boat!
This voyage has now sailed. Check out our voyage finder to see what else we have available.
Sail from the Arctic shores of Iceland to the Faroe Islands before finishing on West coast of Scotland with expedition vessel Valiente.
Sail from Iceland’s volcanic rocks and hot springs, via the Faroe Islands’ green-clad mountainsides and waterfalls that plunge straight into the sea, and to the Hebrides’ unbeatable sandy beaches and world-famous whiskey traditions.
Experience the open sea with several days of ocean crossing as we sail through areas rich in animal and bird life, and ashore we will see how our Norse ancestors have influenced the culture of these archipelagos.
- Offshore expedition sailing
- Arctic circle exploration
- Island hopping
- Private cabins
- Wildlife watching
- Sail area & highlights
- Gallery
- Life on board
- Sample menu
- Travel planning
- The boat
- FAQs
- What's included
- Boat schedule
YOUR SAILING AREA
Expedition sailing; Iceland to Scotland
Begin this expedition sailing holiday from the saga island of Iceland exploring the northwest and west coasts as we sail south and east.
Iceland has an exciting landscape and is known for volcanic activity with associated hot springs, which makes the visit completely unique. The Faroe Islands offer spectacular rocky shores and views we do not find in many other places. Here it is clear that the open sea has battered the ocean cliffs and shaped the landscape for thousands of years. Once in the Hebrides, we spend the rest of the time hopping between these traditional islands, visiting some of the world’s leading whiskey distilleries, and sailing with the tidal currents.
.
Iceland
After the first leg sailing along the coast of Iceland, we arrive at Vestmannaeyjar and the lonely lighthouse Pridrangar which stands all by itself on top of a pinnacle in the middle of the sea. From here we head southeast towards the Faroe Islands! The crossing is around 370 nautical miles and will take about 3 days. Perhaps a bit more or a bit less, depending on the wind! During the crossing we really get to feel what it is like to be at sea with a large sailboat, and we will feel the forces of nature and experience the wildlife! Maybe we will receive a visit from a whale or two, and the seabirds will make the journey with us. When we finally reach the coast of the Faroe Islands, we will find a good harbour, perhaps in one of the well-known traditional villages Gjogv or Saksun.
Faroe Islands
In the northwestern part of the Faroe Islands we find some of the most spectacular sights the archipelago has to offer. Here, the Atlantic Ocean has formed steep cliffs and pinnacles that plunge straight into the sea. We sail past the island of Mykines, and maybe we will get to go ashore and visit Mykines lighthouse, the westernmost lighthouse on the Faroe Islands. On this voyage we pass the village Gásadalur with its world-famous waterfall, Múlafossur, and the formations Drangarnir and Tindholmur. Other nice stops are Vestmanna, with its famous bird mountains, and Midvagúr with the hike to Leitisvatn.
Before we sail further south, we have to stop by the capital of the Faroe Islands, Thorshavn. This is a very charming city, which could easily be the backdrop for the latest Hollywood movie about Vikings. The old town is very intact and features narrow streets between log houses with peat and grass on the roof. The town is bustling with life, and we spend some time exploring what this historic city has to offer.
Hebrides
We spend the last days of the trip exploring the beautiful Hebrides. Here we sail between medieval castles and small villages with grassy hills and rocky shores as a backdrop. The Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Skye are among the places we will sail to on our way through the sea area which the Scots call The Minch. Here we can find whiskey distilleries like pearls on a string, and we take time to sail by and taste the goodies. Talisker Distillery at Isle of Skye is a really good distillery just on our route, which we want to stop by.
Valiente
Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff
Expedition yacht Valiente has been designed to withstand tough icy conditions so it’s little wonder she makes a great boat for Arctic sailing adventures.
From exploring the fjords on the West coast of Norway, to crossing the Arctic circle to Svalbard or Barents Sea sailing to Greenland, Valiente offers a unique, safe and comfortable way to explore sailing territories far off the beaten track.
EXPEDITION SAILING
Joining Valiente will see you become part of the crew, taking part in all aspects of sailing. From the day to day running of the boat, to cooking up meals with your fellow guests, the crew of Valiente will be on hand to guide you in this bucket list experience.
Read more about what life is like on board here
Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. With her steel hull made to withstand icy waters, below decks is a welcome contrast. Central heating runs continuously throughout the boat so you’ll be wonderfully cosy! The saloon and well-equipped galley are set mid ships with 360° windows at deck level with plenty of storage space.
Below Decks
All cabins have heating, comfy beds, thick duvets and wool blankets. The cabins are a mix of double beds and twin bunks but cabins are not allocated until all guests are on board so that everyone is matched with the right size bed and right facilities for their needs!
The Arctic sailing grounds are a vulnerable area increasingly under pressure from climate change. The owners of Valiente are committed to taking care of the environment as much as possible and believe that small boats with less people, are considerably less harmful to the environment and local wildlife, than larger cruise ships.
Deck plan

LIFE ON BOARD VALIENTE
Your ticket price will include the skipper and first mate (co-skipper) Along the way, sailing or on motor, Valiente will include all participants in the sailing. Generally, she sails at all times of the day, and everyone onboard will be running watches of 4 hours on and 8 hours off. When on anchor, there will be rotation shifts with one anchor guard awake, so that the rest can sleep.
Life on board a sailboat is social and pleasant, but for some it can be perceived as quite intimate and crowded, which one should be prepared for. On our trips everyone participates in the operation of the sailboat and everyone is considered crew. We would like to get to know you well and hope that you will get to know everyone else on the boat as soon as possible. It requires some patience, generosity, and an open mind to thrive, but the new acquaintances and completely raw nature experiences will take your focus as soon as you become comfortable with life at sea.
Accommodation on the boat is part of the fun. The accommodation is generally in shared cabins, some of which have a double bed and some of which have bunk beds. Figuring out who sleeps where can be a bit of a puzzle, but we do believe we’ve gotten quite good at it. Let us know if you have any special needs or reservations.
We have plenty of heating and good food on the boat, but not always abundance of fresh water. This means it will not be possible to shower every day, but more or less every other day we are either in a harbour with fresh water or we sail through a place where we can borrow showers or enjoy a sauna. A morning swim in the sea is free and is available all year round!
What’s included
- All inclusive (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks. soft/hot drinks)
- All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet) and wash towel
- Full crew plus tuition
- Marina and fuel fees
- All tender trips to and fro the boat
- Lifejacket
- Fishing equipment
- Use of the on board small sailing dinghy for extra practice!
What’s not included
- Alcohol
- Wetsuits
- Waterproofs > Guests can rent oilskins from us for 500NOK per trip, per person
- Swim towel
- 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
- Any meals ashore
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?
Yes, all meals and soft drinks are included. Guests work on a rotation basis to cook together onboard.
-
Do I need to tip the crew?
Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!
-
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Yes - please specify at time of enquiry
-
What language is spoken onboard?
English/Norwegian
-
What are the sleeping arrangements?
3x double cabins, 1x twin bunk cabin, 1 x quad bunk cabin
-
How many toilet/showers does she have?
4 for guests
-
Is there WIFI?
No
-
Can I charge my phone/Camera?
12v charging under sail, 220 EURO 2pin when connected to shore power/generator
-
Are there life jackets provided?
Yes
-
Are Waterproofs provided?
Guests can rent oilskins from Valiente for 500NOK per trip, per person.
-
Do I need sailing experience?
No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.
-
Will I be sea sick?
Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.
-
Is bedding included?
Yes, all bedding and a towel is provided.
Gallery
imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageTravel Planning
From: Isafjordur, Iceland
To: Mallaig, Scotland
To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.