Our new adventure began under remarkably kind Scottish skies. As we boarded MS Spitsbergen in Fairlie, near Glasgow, the weather was warm, bright, and welcoming—an unexpected but very pleasant start to our British Isles voyage.

We arrived throughout the afternoon, settling into our cabins and beginning to explore the ship that would be our home for the coming days. After collecting our blue expedition jackets and meeting the Expedition Team, excitement and anticipation filled the air.

As Spitsbergen prepared to set sail, a group of pipers gathered at the pier to play us off. Their music echoed across the harbour, creating a memorable and festive farewell. With the sun shining overhead and the bagpipes sounding over the calm waters, we sailed out into the evening—ready for new landscapes, new discoveries, and the special experiences that only the British Isles can offer.