What a day! Today’s forecast of rainy showers most definitely didn’t come into fruition as we basked in the baking Irish sunshine all day. The day started with common dolphins and a beautiful sunrise as the ship approached the Skellig Islands on a flat, calm sea. Conditions allowed us to circumnavigate both Skellig Michael and Little Skellig and get great views of the old Christian monastery and the breeding bird colonies. As we made our way to sunny Dingle for the afternoon, we were accompanied by more birds and bow-riding dolphins.
5/6/2025
Read
National Geographic Explorer
Calanais, Isle of Lewis
Today’s journey took us to one of the oldest stone monuments of the British Isles. Formed from some of the oldest rock in the world, the Standing Stones of Calanais is located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Our morning began with a thrilling presentation by National Geographic Photographer and Filmmaker David Wright who answered our questions about his career filming wildlife across the globe and told stories of awe-inspiring encounters with nature and his many gripping near-death experiences. Following this, I gave an introduction to the history of Neolithic monuments and the significance of Calanais, helping us imagine the world of its builders some 5,000 years ago. After lunch, we went ashore to walk among the iconic and towering stones themselves, which sparked lively discussion and reflection on the beliefs and practices of Neolithic peoples. Some guests ventured beyond the main circle to explore the broader ritual landscape of Calanais, hiking through the peat and heather to visit other nearby megaliths that dot the surrounding fields. It was a moving day, one that connected us with our ancestors and the enduring mysteries of the ancient past.
