Lunga is the largest of the Treshnish Isles, a small archipelago off the west coast of Mull. The island has been uninhabited since the 19th century, and provides a haven for wildlife including puffins and seals. Lunga is also home to rare and endangered plants such as primroses and orchids.

The St Kilda archipelago is a remote and rugged collection of sea stacks and rocky islands, some 40 miles to the west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. The islands constitute the largest nesting site for seabirds in the North Atlantic and are home to over a million birds, including puffins, gannets, fulmars and petrels.

Djúpivogur is a little fishing village on the east coast of Iceland, at the mouth of a steep fjord, and has recently joined the ‘slow city’ movement, the first place in Iceland to do so. A popular excursion is the boat trip across to Papey island, where you’ll find thousands of seabirds and Iceland’s oldest wooden church

The little town of Húsavík, on Iceland’s north coast, enjoys a picturesque setting just across the bay from the imposing Húsavíkurfjall mountain, and is known as Iceland’s whale watching capital. It’s also not far from the fascinating Lake Mývatn if you would prefer to take a land-based excursion.

This little fishing village enjoys a fine setting amongst Iceland’s Eastfjords, looking out across the water towards the dramatic Hólmatindur mountain. Life here has always been shaped by the sea, and you can learn more about Eskifjörður’s history at the interesting Maritime Museum.

Stromness is the second biggest town in the Orkney Islands, an atmospheric and friendly place with a proud seafaring heritage. Enjoy local music in a cosy pub, explore independent shops and galleries or head out to one of the nearby prehistoric sites, such as the intriguing Ring of Brodgar.

The tiny island of Iona, situated off the southwestern tip of Mull, is said to be the cradle of Christianity in Scotland, and is a popular place of pilgrimage. Thousands of visitors flock here every year to visit the Abbey, and the island gets particularly busy in summer.

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement was a watershed moment for Northern Ireland, and its rejuvenated capital is enjoying a surge in popularity. The new Titanic Belfast museum is the star attraction, while the city centre boasts some handsome Victorian architecture and a lively pub scene.