We call firstly at Iona where we will learn about the journey of Celtic Christianity from Ireland to Iona and on to Iceland. Our second Scottish port of call will be St Kilda before we head out into the Atlantic Ocean for Iceland, arriving first at Djúpivogur, sheltered below a huge mountain range housing Europe’s largest icecap.

The next day we come to Heimaey in the Westman Islands where the ground is still warm from the volcanic eruption in 1973. We then come to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, from where we can visit some of the country’s best known sites, including Thingvellir, the Blue Lagoon and Geyser. Our next stop is at Grundarfjörður, one of the first villages to be established in Iceland and an important trading centre in the first half of the nineteenth century. We then visit the fishing town of Ísafjörður, the municipal centre of the sparsely populated West Fjords.

Our next call is to Siglufjörður, the northernmost town in Iceland before we cruise along the stunning Eyjafjordur to Akureyri, the capital of northern Iceland. We will arrive in time to invite some local entertainers aboard to perform in the evening concert. The next day we remain in Akureyri and tours will take us to some of the jewels of Northern Iceland, including the Godafoss waterfall.

Our final port in Iceland is Seyðisfjörður from where we can explore the nature and scenery of Eastern Iceland. On our return journey we make a stop at Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands to enjoy their mountains and birdlife before returning to Greenock.

Lecturers – Our lecturers on this cruise will include geologist Professor Geoffrey Boulton, naturalist Paul Johnson and poet Kenneth Steven.

Artistes – Our artistes this year include Scotland the What? entertainer George Donald, the Rhona MacKay Trio, soprano Patricia MacMahon, fiddler Paul Anderson and accordionist John Bone. Cameron Stout will compère the concerts and lead a couple of Scottish Dance sessions.

Prices (per person)

• Three-berth inside - £1,800
• Inside singles from - £3,150-£3,250
• Outside singles from - £3,800-£4,500
• Inside Twins/Doubles from - £2,730-£2,990
• Outside Twins/Doubles from - £3,470-£4,310
• Suites (single/double/twin) - £4,630-£5,410

5% early booking discount available for bookings made before 1 November 2008.