Wild Islands & Lands of Legends — Self-Launched Island Hopping Adventure
12 days · Scotland & the Faroe Islands
Poseidon Expeditions charges £5,500
No-markup version: ~£2,650 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched take on Poseidon Expeditions' small-ship cruise through Scotland's Northern Isles and the Faroe Islands. Instead of a $7,000+ luxury expedition cabin, you'll piece the same wild archipelago route together independently using scheduled ferries (NorthLink, Pentland Ferries, Smyril Line), inter-island boats and local buses — Edinburgh, Orkney, Fair Isle, Shetland, Foula and the Faroes. Same islands, same standing stones and puffin cliffs, a fraction of the price. Note: this is a DIY route for confident, self-sufficient travellers — some legs are seasonal (Fair Isle flights, Smyril Line sailings), weather-dependent and need booking well ahead. All costs are rough estimates in GBP and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
Land in Edinburgh and settle into a hostel in the Old Town or near the Royal Mile. Spend the afternoon on a free (tip-based) walking tour of the medieval and 18th-century New Town — a great orientation to the city's architecture and history. In the evening, climb Calton Hill for sunset views or duck into a pub for haggis and a local ale.
🚌Airport bus (Airlink 100) or tram into the city centre, ~£5.50-£7.50. Everything walkable once you're central.
🛏Budget hostel dorm near the Royal Mile (e.g. Castle Rock or similar), ~£25-35/night
- →Self-led walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town and New Town
- →Visit Edinburgh Castle (book tickets online, ~£21)
- →Sunset on Calton Hill (free)
Edinburgh to Kirkwall, Orkney
Kirkwall, Orkney
Take the train or bus north to Aberdeen (or to Scrabster for the northern ferry route), then board the NorthLink ferry overnight to Stromness, Orkney — the local equivalent of the cruise's group transfer to the ship. Arrive in the morning, bus across to Kirkwall and check into a hostel or guesthouse. Unlike the cruise, you get to choose your own pace here.
🚌Train Edinburgh-Aberdeen ~£15-35, then NorthLink ferry Aberdeen-Stromness overnight ~£30-45 (foot passenger). Or Scrabster-Stromness ferry ~£20.
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Kirkwall (e.g. Orkney International Hostel or similar), ~£25-35/night
- →Overnight ferry crossing to Orkney
- →Explore Stromness harbour on arrival
Ancient Treasures of Orkney
Kirkwall & West Mainland, Orkney
A full day exploring Orkney's Neolithic heartland — exactly what the guided tour covers, but self-driven. Take the local bus (X1/T11) or rent a bike/car to reach the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae (5000-year-old village with visitor centre) and Maeshowe. Back in Kirkwall, tour St Magnus Cathedral, Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace.
🚌Orkney local bus network (X1/T11) day ticket ~£10, or hire bike ~£15/day. Car hire ~£40-50/day if split between travellers.
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Kirkwall, ~£25-35/night
- →Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness (free)
- →Skara Brae and Maeshowe (Historic Environment Scotland ticket, ~£12-18 combo)
- →St Magnus Cathedral (free, donations welcome)
Fair Isle
Fair Isle, Shetland
One of the trip's true highlights, but tricky to do independently — Fair Isle has no direct scheduled ferry from Orkney, so the realistic route is to first reach Shetland (overnight ferry to Lerwick), then take the small inter-island plane or the summer passenger ferry from Grutness/Grimbister to Fair Isle. Once there, birdwatch (puffins, seabirds), visit historic crofts and lighthouses, and buy genuine hand-knitted Fair Isle knitwear from the co-op. Book flights/ferry and the island's bunkhouse well in advance.
🚌NorthLink ferry Kirkwall-Lerwick overnight ~£25-40, then Shetland inter-island flight Tingwall-Fair Isle ~£60-90 (or summer ferry from Grutness, ~£15-25). All weather-dependent.
🛏Fair Isle bunkhouse or guesthouse, ~£30-45/night
- →Birdwatching and puffin spotting
- →Visit historic crofts and lighthouses
- →Buy hand-knitted Fair Isle knitwear (the only ones actually made on the island)
Lerwick, Shetland
Lerwick, Shetland
Return to Shetland mainland and base yourself in Lerwick. Walk the historic lanes, visit the excellent Shetland Museum and Archives, and take a local bus down through the Dunrossness countryside to Sumburgh Head lighthouse for cliff-top seabird colonies. If time allows, add the Jarlshof archaeological site right next to Sumburgh.
🚌Local bus from Lerwick to Sumburgh/Dunrossness (service 6) ~£5-8 return, or hire a car.
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Lerwick (e.g. Islesburgh or similar), ~£25-35/night
- →Walking tour of Lerwick's old town
- →Shetland Museum and Archives (free)
- →Sumburgh Head lighthouse and seabird cliffs (~£6)
- →Jarlshof archaeological site (~£7)
Foula and Papa Stour, Shetland
Foula & Papa Stour, Shetland
The cruise reaches these remote islands by Zodiac; independently you'll rely on Shetland's inter-island ferries and small boats, which run limited timetables — check sailing days carefully and treat one island as the realistic target for the day. Foula offers dramatic cliffs, folklore and birdwatching (the ferry from Walls/Grudefirth is long and weather-dependent). Papa Stour's ferry from West Burrafirth reveals caves, stacks and sea arches. Whichever you pick, this is wild, off-grid Shetland at its best.
🚌Shetland inter-island ferries: Lerwick/Walls to Foula ~£10-20 foot passenger (long crossing), or West Burrafirth-Papa Stour ~£5-10. Schedules are sparse — plan around sailing days.
🛏Return to Lerwick hostel/guesthouse, ~£25-35/night (or island camping/bunkhouse if staying over)
- →Birdwatching on Foula's cliffs
- →Explore Foula folklore and history
- →Coastal walks taking in Papa Stour's caves, stacks and arches
Lerwick to Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Sail from Lerwick to Tórshavn on the Smyril Line ferry (Norröna) — the independent traveller's version of the cruise's Faroe Islands arrival. The crossing takes roughly a day and night. Arrive in Tórshavn, the world's smallest (and arguably cosiest) capital, and check into a guesthouse or hostel in the old Tinganes area.
🚌Smyril Line ferry Lerwick-Tórshavn ~£60-110 foot passenger depending on season/cabin (book far ahead; runs limited days per week and is seasonal).
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Tórshavn, ~£30-45/night
- →Scenic North Atlantic ferry crossing
- →Evening wander around Tórshavn's Tinganes peninsula
Tórshavn and Kirkjubøur
Tórshavn & Kirkjubøur, Faroe Islands
Explore the capital before heading to Kirkjubøur, the medieval ecclesiastical and cultural centre of the Faroes, reachable by local bus. See the ruins of Saint Magnus Cathedral, the 900-year-old Kirkjubøargarður farmhouse and the Ólavskirkja church. This mirrors the cruise's included exploration, self-guided and at your own pace.
🚌Local Tórshavn bus (route 2/2A) to Kirkjubøur ~£3-5. Faroe inter-town buses are cheap and reliable.
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Tórshavn, ~£30-45/night
- →Explore Tórshavn's harbour, old town and Nordic House
- →Walk the coastal path to Kirkjubøur
- →See Saint Magnus Cathedral ruins and Ólavskirkja
Faroe Islands: Waterfalls, Villages & Bird Cliffs
Streymoy, Eysturoy & Vágar, Faroe Islands
Use the excellent local bus and tunnel network (including the undersea tunnels between islands) to string together the Faroes' greatest hits. Walk to the famous Múlafossur waterfall at Gásadalur, cross the renowned sea-crossing to Mykines (weather permitting) for serious bird watching including puffins, and take in the view from Klakkur above Klaksvík. This is your DIY Zodiac-excursion replacement.
🚌Faroe inter-island buses via undersea tunnels ~£3-8 per leg; Mykines ferry (seasonal) ~£10-20 return. Consider a one-day self-drive car hire ~£60-90 if you want maximum reach.
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Tórshavn, ~£30-45/night
- →Múlafossur waterfall at Gásadalur
- →Mykines puffin and seabird colony hike (seasonal)
- →Klakkur viewpoint above Klaksvík
Faroe Islands: Northern Islands
Kalsoy, Kunoy & Borðoy, Faroe Islands
Head north through the tunnels to the Northern Isles. Take the small ferry to Kalsoy to see the iconic Kallurin lighthouse and the 'James Bond' tomb at Trøllanes, and walk a stretch of the Kalsoy ridge. Visit the charming village of Viðareiði at the northern tip. Tuck into Faroese specialities — fermented lamb, ræst and fresh seafood — at a local café.
🚌Ferry Klaksvík-Kalsoy ~£5-10 (book ahead, popular), plus local buses through the Eysturoy tunnel network ~£3-6 per leg.
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Tórshavn (or Klaksvík), ~£30-45/night
- →Kalsoy's Kallurin lighthouse and Trøllanes walk
- →Village of Viðareiði at the northern tip
- →Try Faroese ræst cuisine and seafood
Tórshavn to Lerwick (at sea)
North Atlantic crossing
Begin the journey back. Sail overnight from Tórshavn to Lerwick on the Smyril Line. Rather than the cruise's onboard lecture programme, use the crossing as genuine downtime — read up on the flora and fauna you've encountered, spot seabirds from the deck, and rest before the final push home. Arrive in Shetland and transfer onwards.
🚌Smyril Line ferry Tórshavn-Lerwick overnight ~£60-110 foot passenger. Subject to schedule (limited sailings per week).
🛏Ferry cabin berth (dormitory reclining or shared cabin), ~£25-40
- →Overnight North Atlantic ferry crossing
- →Seabird spotting from the deck
Return to Edinburgh & Depart
Lerwick to Edinburgh
Sail or fly back to mainland Scotland and on to Edinburgh. Take the NorthLink ferry overnight from Lerwick to Aberdeen (or fly Shetland-Edinburgh via a connection), then rail or coach south to Edinburgh. Use any spare time to revisit the Royal Mile or pick up last souvenirs before flying home — the self-launched version of the cruise's group airport transfer.
🚌NorthLink ferry Lerwick-Aberdeen overnight ~£30-45, then train Aberdeen-Edinburgh ~£15-35. Alternatively Loganair Shetland-Edinburgh flight ~£100-180.
🛏Departure day — no accommodation needed (or book one final night in an Edinburgh hostel ~£25-35 if your flight is early)
- →Final wander around Edinburgh's Old Town
- →Optional last-minute souvenir shopping on the Royal Mile
Self-launched vs. Poseidon Expeditions
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Poseidon Expeditions | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£2,650 | £5,500 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,850 per person (52%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Poseidon Expeditions-style trips? Check them out here.~£2,650
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Wild Islands & Lands of Legends — Self-Launched Island Hopping Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £2,650 per person for 12 days in Scotland & the Faroe Islands. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Poseidon Expeditions?+
Yes — Poseidon Expeditions charges around £5,500 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £2,650 — a saving of roughly £2,850 (52%) per person.
How long is the Scotland & the Faroe Islands trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Scotland & the Faroe Islands.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, backpacker trip through Scotland & the Faroe Islands, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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