INTERVIEW38"The British archipelagos comprise around 6,000 islands, of which only 188 are inhabited. Each one, with its own identity, bears witness to a thousand-year-old culture, marked by prehistoric, Celtic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon civilisations. These islands offer a variety of panoramas: the Isles of Scilly, near Cornwall, have a Mediterranean climate and splendid botanical gardens, while the Shetland Islands have very short summer nights, with just a few hours in June. This climatic and geographical diversity reflects a wealth of history and culture. The Scottish archipelagos date back to the Neolithic period, with megaliths in the Orkney Islands older than Stonehenge. Celtic influences are still present there, notably through local aesthetics and the use of the Gaelic language. The Vikings left their mark as early as the 8th century, particularly in Shetland, where the motto is still in the Anglo-Scandinavian dialect of Norse, and where their folklore is preserved. They also introduced institutions such as the Tynwald on the Isle of Man, the oldest parliament in the British Isles. In the Hebrides, the sacred island of Iona, a spiritual centre, is a must-see. It was from here that Saint Columba, a disciple of Saint Patrick, set off to evangelise Scotland. This complex history at the crossroads of many civilisations fascinates European guests, curious about the differences with their neighbours, as well as Anglo-Saxon guests in search of their roots. These cruises turn every port of call into a chance to discover ancestral cultures and breathtaking wilderness." Through the eyes of Anne-Marie HarrisonThe British archipelagos through the ages Anne-Marie Harrison has maintained an intimate relationship with the English-speaking world for almost 60 years. Her role as a guide and lecturer specialising in ancient civilisations, coupled with her fascination for Great Britain – the homeland of her husband – puts her in the perfect place to lift the veil for PONANT guests on the mysterious origins of the British archipelagos.
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