Originally settled by the Norsemen in the 9th century, Lerwick was founded as an unofficial marketplace to service 17th century Dutch herring fleets. The core of the town is a maze of narrow, flagstone streets set behind 18th century sandstone buildings overlooking the busy harbour. Hay’s Dock, once the centre of Shetland’s fishing and boat building industries, is home to the marvellous Shetland Museum and Archives. On the southern tip of Mainland the extraordinary archaeological site of Jarlshof tells the story of some 4,000 years of human history on this remote archipelago with a wealth of wildlife.

The capital of the amazing Orkney archipelago, the Royal Burgh of Kirkwall sits almost exactly in the centre of Mainland, dividing the island into East and West. The magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral, a legacy of the town’s rich Viking heritage, dominates Kirkwall’s skyline. In its shadow, the town is a cluster of grey stone buildings lining narrow, flagstone streets. Excursions explore these beautiful islands whose history can be traced back some 6,000 years through Neolithic standing stones and the magnificent archaeological site of Skara Brae. Modern day Orkney is a hive of creative activity and its craft workshops are perfect for a special souvenir.

Samson and Goliath are much-loved landmarks soaring above Belfast’s skyline. The two great, yellow-painted, gantry cranes are a reminder of the shipbuilding industry that put Northern Ireland’s capital firmly on the map. Housed in an iconic, state-of-the-art, 6-storey building, Titanic Belfast relives the city’s golden era and traces the story of the ill-fated liner built in the shipyards of Harland & Wolff. At the heart of today’s cosmopolitan city is Belfast’s elegant City Hall, which stands in Donegal Square. The extraordinary Giant’s Causeway is a popular excursion from this city with omnipresent Irish charm.