The Skeptics Society & Skeptic magazine

Passage from Ireland to Iceland, Including the Scottish and Faroe Isles

Aboard the New 152-Guest Expedition Cruise Ship VEGA, with Guest Lecturer, RICHARD DAWKINS

Dear Friends,

I am delighted to be able to invite you to join Richard Dawkins, the foremost exponent of science and reason of his generation, on this voyage from Dublin to Reykjavík as we explore Europe’s northernmost islands—Scotland’s Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands, Denmark’s Faroes, and Iceland—a remote world known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque villages, fascinating history, and nature lovers’ delights.

Our first ports of call are in the Hebrides—the holy Isle of Iona and the Isle of Skye, both rich in the history of Celtic peoples. A day in the Scottish Highlands is followed by stops in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, where the Neolithic sites of Skara Brae and Stennes compete for our attention with the seabirds—guillemots, kittiwakes, and white-tailed eagles—that abound there. Some 250 miles to the northwest are the Faroes, a self-governing archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark, known for their Viking heritage, traditional way of life, and a plethora of puffins.

On the seventh day of our voyage, we reach Iceland, where we will spend five days exploring this immensely fascinating island forged by the twin crucibles of ice and fire, and home to some of the most extraordinary geology on the planet. We will sail into stunning fjords, encounter volcanic landscapes of lava fields and hot springs, magnificent waterfalls, and ice-capped mountains, and marvel at the thousands upon thousands of puffins, terns, and guillemots that nest here.

Richard Dawkins will accompany us throughout the voyage and will present lectures on evolutionary biology and on the wonder of science. He will also preview his upcoming book that posits fascinating insights into the species we see today.

Our vessel for this cruise will be the Swan Hellenic Vega, a state-of-the-art, new-generation expedition cruise ship built in Finland and launched in July 2022. Accommodating only 152 guests in superb staterooms and balcony suites, Vega features elegant common areas and technological, mechanical and environment-friendly features.

I hope you will join Richard and fellow members and friends of the Skeptics Society on this exploration of some of Europe’s most intriguing and seldom-visited islands.

Best wishes,
Dr. Michael Shermer

Executive Director, Skeptics Society

7% of your cruise fee will be a tax-deductible donation to The Skeptics Society — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.