The Orkney Nature Festival Cruise 2017

Tuesday 23rd May 2017

The Orkney Nature Festival / Per Mare Cruise took place on Sunday 21st May 2017, and this year MV Hamnavoe set sail from Stromness and made her way up the west coast of Orkney.

With 400 passengers on board, we were lucky to have had such a beautiful day with blue skies, calm seas, spectacular views and even some Risso’s dolphins!

Orkney Nature Festival
Passengers boarding MV Hamnavoe.
Orkney Nature Festival
The chefs on board MV Hamnavoe prepared a delicious buffet for the trip.
Orkney Nature Festival
Food from the buffet.
Orkney Nature Festival
Delicious oatcakes and Orkney cheese.
Orkney Nature Festival
Queuing for the buffet!
Orkney Nature Festival
Passengers could sample a nip of Scapa Whisky.
Orkney Nature Festival
The Orkney Gin Company also provided free samples.
Orkney Nature Festival
The RSPB team on board MV Hamnavoe.
Orkney Nature Festival
Leaving Stromness on MV Hamnavoe.
Orkney Nature Festival
The West Shore of Stromness.
Orkney Nature Festival
Sailing past North Gaulton Castle.
Orkney Nature Festival
Alison Nimmo of the RSPB, Kirsty Groundwater and Cameron Stout of the Stromness 200 Per Mare celebrations provided a commentary through the trip.
Orkney Nature Festival
The commentary came from the bridge of MV Hamnavoe
Orkney Nature Festival
Risso’s Dolphins were spotted beneath Marwick Head.
Orkney Nature Festival
Kitchener’s Memorial at Marwick Head.
Orkney Nature Festival
Kitchener’s Memorial from the sea.
Orkney Nature Festival
MV Hamnavoe sailed past the Brough of Birsay.
Orkney Nature Festival
Viewing the Brough of Birsay from the sea.
Orkney Nature Festival
MV Hamnavoe even made the trip to Costa Head in Evie
Orkney Nature Festival
Costa Head in Evie.
Orkney Nature Festival
Passengers enjoying the fine weather!
Orkney Nature Festival
The end of the cruise.
Orkney Nature Festival
The staff of MV Hamnavoe after a busy day!

We would like to thank everyone involved in making it such a fantastic event and hope all those on board enjoyed the day!