Edinburgh
At the water’s edge in Edinburgh, a short stroll from where Viking Sea is berthed, you’ll find the Queen’s beloved Royal Yacht Britannia. This shore excursion is recommended for fans of The Crown, who’ll know that the ship takes on a starring role in season two for Prince Phillip’s world tour, visiting far-off reaches of the commonwealth like Australia, Tonga and Papua New Guinea. Though the onboard scenes were actually filmed in a house in South London, this is a special piece of history nonetheless.
Commissioned in 1952 by King George VI just days before his death, the duty to finalise the design and details fell to the new monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
During its lifetime, the yacht sailed more than a million nautical miles and served as a floating royal palace – bearing witness to state visits, official receptions, royal family holidays and honeymoons.
After 44 years of service, the ship was eventually decommissioned in 1997. Since that time, almost nothing has changed onboard, right down to the family photos and even the crew quarters. The clocks read 3:01 – the time the Queen disembarked for the final time.
The Shetland Islands
Viking history abounds in the UK – however, as the Shetland and Orkney Islands were once part of the Danish-Norwegian empire, there is arguably nowhere else in the UK where the Viking connection is so visible – and so celebrated.
While Vikings was actually filmed in the Irish countryside, for anyone wanting experience the real thing, these remote islands in the Atlantic are the ultimate destination to uncover Viking history.
The buildings in the Shetland Islands look much more Scandinavian than British. Listen closely and you’ll notice that the local dialect is influenced by Norwegian words – and the names of people, places, geographical features of the landscape and birds have their origins in Scandinavian language.
Throughout the islands, there are numerous examples of evidence of Viking occupation, however a visit to the Up Helly Aa Exhibition truly brings these stories to life. Each year on the last Tuesday in January, the Up Helly Aa fire festival takes place – a tradition that has its roots firmly in the Shetland Islands’ Viking past. Hundreds of local costumed ‘Vikings’ march through the city of Lerwick, while a Viking ship is burnt in ceremonial fashion and songs such as The Norseman’s Home are sung. If you’re not brave enough to visit the Shetland Islands in chilly January, then the exhibition is the next best thing.
Back onboard Viking Sea, Norse influence abounds. Every detail of the interior decoration has been carefully considered, right down to the choice of books in the library, curated by Heywood Hill bookshop in Mayfair. Clinker boat-building design – which helped the Vikings become the most famous sea-faring people in the world – can be found at the Viking Bar in the Living Room, and throughout the traditional Nordic spa facilities.
There’s no end to inspiration for drama in this part of the world, because what makes the islands of the United Kingdom and Ireland unique is that the history is lived. Fortresses, castles and palaces dot the landscape – such everyday occurrences, they could be your next-door neighbour. And visitors are welcomed with open arms by the local people who inhabit these vibrant islands today, and who continue to share their stories of the past.
Viking Cruises is the ‘thinking person’s cruise’, offering journeys that help you explore the most intimate nuances of your destination; its food, culture, countryside and customs. The 2020 ‘British Isles Explorer’ itinerary is a 15-day cruise incorporating England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For more information, visit vikingcruises.com.au