HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
World-heritage-listed St Kilda
- Explore
historic villages in the Orkney Islands
- Basking
sharks, dolphins & seals in the Hebrides
- Kayak
through sea caves and mirror-like lochs
- Fantastic
puffin, guillemots, eagles and fulmars
- Visit
an Iron Age broch with our historian
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | QUAD | TRIPLE PORTHOLE | TWIN PORTHOLE | TWIN WINDOW | TWIN DELUXE | SUPERIOR | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| May 23, 2025 | May 25, 2025 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 340 | 400 | 400 | N/A | N/A |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
QUAD | (Mid-range)
TWIN DELUXE | (High-end)
0 |
|---|
| May 23, 2025 | May 25, 2025 | 300 | 400 | N/A |
Day
1 – Oban
You
will make your own way to Oban Port, which is a short walk or taxi ride
from the town centre. Our expedition team will welcome you aboard the
Greg Mortimer at approximately 4.00 pm (boarding time will be confirmed
in your final documents). You'll have time to settle into your cabin
before our important briefings. We will set sail along Scotland's
northwest coast in the evening.
Days
2 to 3 – Inner Hebrides
From
golden beaches to jagged peaks, bleak moors and heather clad hills;
from abandoned settlements to picturesque villages, our days in the
Hebrides archipelago will be packed with variety. We may explore remote
lochs beneath some of Britain's most untamed mountains and wander
between unusual rock formations. We may watch for whales, dolphins,
otters, seals, and the increasingly rare basking sharks. Possibly we
will land at an island reserve that is home to red deer and
white-tailed sea eagles.
Kayakers
will be introduced to their craft and will be briefed for their
adventures, before picking up paddles to circumnavigate tiny islets or
glide into narrow waterways that intertwine the islands. Hikers may opt
for panoramic views from summits and ridges.
Early
the next morning we will aim for the tiny island of Iona. Barely 5
kilometres / 3 miles long, Iona is renowned as the birthplace of
Christianity in Britain. It is also a burial ground of early Scottish
Kings. The Irish monk, St Columba and twelve disciples, landed here and
founded a monastery in 563 AD. From this base, St Columba set about
converting Scotland and much of Northern England to Christianity.
On
Staffa, we hope to have the chance to explore Fingals Cave, where the
melodious sound of waves crashing against towering basalt pillars
inspired Mendelssohnns Hebridean Overture. We may enter the cave in
Zodiacs, or clamber ashore to walk into the mouth of the cave. On shore
we will also find Puffins in abundance.
The
rugged Isle of Skye, named after the Norse word for ‘cloud',
is a hikers' paradise. It is a centre of Gaelic culture and some
islanders still speak the language. The wildlife, history, geology and
beautiful scenery make it one of our favourite islands to explore. We
hope to make the following landings: The Cuillin Hills have earned a
reputation as Britain's most untamed and challenging mountains. The
rocky jagged Black Cuillins attract rock climbers. The smoother conical
granite peaks of the Red Cuillins are crowned with heather. We may land
at Loch Scavaig in the heart of the Cuillins and take a short hike,
perhaps to Loch Coruisk, for spectacular views and get a glimpse of the
range's grandeur. Keener hikers may be able to venture further afield,
weather permitting. Meanwhile kayakers may paddle around Loch Scavaig,
into Loch Coruisk. They may explore the island of Soay and an abandoned
shark fishing station – all against the backdrop of classic
views of the Cuillins.
To
the south of the Cuillin hills we may visit Rubha' an
Dùnain, a small uninhabited peninsula on the southwest
corner of Skye commanding an impressive view of the sea routes nearby.
As a result of its strategic position we can see archaeological
remains—from a Neolithic chambered cairn, to a Viking canal
and more recent black houses. Depending on weather conditions, we may
choose to visit the small island of Canna in search of the rare basking
sharks, common seals and bird cliffs.
Days
4 to 6 – Outer Hebrides
From
the Inner Hebrides we make our way to the Outer Hebrides –
also known as the Western Isles – that stretch for 209
kilometres / 128 miles and look out on their western side to the
Atlantic Ocean. Our first stop is at the Isle of Lewis, the largest and
northern-most island in the Outer Hebrides. We plan to make a stop at
Callanais, where archaeology buffs will be keen to see the fascinating
group of Standing Stones, dating from around 3,000 BC. Nearby we may
visit Bostadh House, a remarkable reconstruction of an Iron Age
dwelling tucked away just above a beautiful white beach.
Weather
permitting we plan to land at the isolated archipelago (and World
Heritage site) of St Kilda, where derelict crofts bear testament to the
fortitude of islanders who once tended the unique Soay sheep and
harvested seabirds for food—and to pay their rent in the form
of wool, meat and feathers. The isles hold Europe's most important
seabird colony and is home to Britain's highest sea stacks (rock
columns). Island hopping northeast, we aim to visit tiny specks of land
that bear the brunt of violent Atlantic storms and rarely see visitors.
Home to breeding seals and some of Europe's largest seabird colonies,
Sula Sgeir, North Rona and Flannan boast spectacular cliffs, fantastic
rock stacks, hidden beaches and luxuriant heaths where sheep once
grazed.
Days
7 to 8 – Shetland Islands
Britain's
most northerly islands lie almost 160 kilometres / 99 miles north of
the Scottish mainland, at a similar latitude to the southern tip of
Greenland, or Bergen in Norway. Kept relatively warm by the Gulf
Stream, Shetland's 100 islands experience almost 24 hours of daylight
in summer. They abound with nature reserves and archaeological sites,
and offer a taste of traditional island life. We plan to explore some
of the following sites:
The
island of Foula is the most remote inhabited island in the UK. Its
small community of about 30 residents welcome us to their island to
enjoy the magnificent scenery, large seabird colonies, beautiful
wildflowers and remarkable community life. Papa Stour offers some of
the best sea caves in Britain where we may explore with Zodiacs and
kayaks.
Jarlshof
is one of Shetland's best preserved and most complex archaeological
sites. It was exposed by storms in the late 19th century. The Old House
of Sumburgh, built here in the 17th century, was named
‘Jarlshof' by Sir Walter Scott in his novel ‘The
Pirate'. The record of human occupation dates from around 3,200 BC.
Jarlshof's main Bronze Age site is the house of a bronzesmith working
around 800 BC. Clay moulds into which molten bronze was poured revealed
that he was casting axe heads and short swords. It seems that Shetland
suited early Norse settlers, for they quickly settled here and left
their mark on Shetland's history for ages to come.
Mousa
Broch, on the small uninhabited island of Mousa, is the best preserved
of Scotland's 570 brochs (fortified Iron Age towers). Storm petrels
nest among its stones, which can be seen when visiting the broch at
night. In daylight, a large colony of common and grey seals basks on
its shores and you may spot otter (Dratsi, in Shetland dialect).
Hermaness
National Nature Reserve, is close to Britain's most northerly point.
The reserve is a place of bird cries and sea smells, of myth and mist.
The cliffs rise 170 metres / 558 feet above the Atlantic. During summer
they are alive with the cacophony, and raw guano smell of over 100,000
breeding seabirds: kittiwakes, shags, snipe, dunlin, golden plover and
Arctic skua, making this one of Europe's most diverse colonies. The
grasslands, moors and cliff tops are a tapestry of colourful
wildflowers – gentians, heather, orchids and thrift are a few
of the species here.
A
rocky islet, Muckle Flugga is Britain's most northerly point and only
274 kilometres / 170 miles from Norway. A lighthouse was established
here in 1854, to protect navy ships during the Crimean War.
With
its mile-long seabird cliffs, the Island of Noss is a National Nature
Reserve. In breeding season the sound of around 150,000 birds and
chicks fills the air. Millions of years of wind and ice have
honeycombed thousands of nesting ledges in sandstone cliffs almost
200-metres / 656-feet high. Resident seals and visiting otters feed in
dense kelp around the shores.
Days
9 to 10 – Orkney Islands
Midway
between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle houses a major European
ornithological research station, and is also famous for knitwear and
historic shipwrecks. About five kilometres by three kilometres / three
miles by two miles in area, it is surrounded by impressive cliffs. The
70 or so islanders mainly live in traditional crofts on the more
fertile low-lying southern part of the island.
A
bird watchers' paradise, Fair Isle lies on the intersection of major
flight-paths from Scandinavia, Iceland and Faroe. In summer, the cliffs
teem with breeding fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, shags and
puffins. The Isle is an excellent place to view seabirds, especially
puffins at close range. Fair Isle also has over 250 species of
flowering plants, including wetland flowers, rare orchids, alpine
species and common wildflowers. We'll be welcomed by the hospitable
villagers and may take a hike or visit the museum. Grey and common
seals inhabit these waters around Fair Isle, while sharp eyes may spot
harbour porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, Atlantic white-sided
dolphins, killer whales (orcas) and minke whales.
Orkney's
archipelago of 70 windswept islands, 10 kilometres / 6 miles north of
the Scottish mainland, a rich tapestry of archaeology, history and
wildlife awaits. We follow the passage of time – from
5,000-year-old World Heritage Neolithic sites, past relics from Vikings
and reminders of World War II occupation, to present day crofting
communities. Imposing sea cliffs teem with seabirds and cliff top paths
beckon the keen hikers among us. Our kayakers use paddle-power to
explore sections of Orkney's fascinating coastline.
At
the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray lies the earliest known house in
Northern Europe, occupied by Neolithic farmers over 5,000 years ago. At
the east end of Scapa Flow remnants from World War II include an
Italian Chapel, created by Italian prisoners of war made out of two
Nissen huts, and the Churchill Barriers, constructed on the orders of
Winston Churchill to keep out U-Boats.
Discover
the rich history in Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands. Initial
impressions are misleading, as the harbour area looks modern, but the
narrow winding streets and lanes of the old town, which have remained
relatively unchanged over the centuries are appealing. Explore
magnificent St Magnus Cathedral built from red and white sandstone and
considered the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland before
popping across the road to Tankerness House and Gardens, a restored
16th century former manse, now housing the Orkney Museum featuring
archaeological artefacts from Neolithic times to the Vikings. The
exhibition is a great way to whet your appetite for the archaeological
gems you will find on the mainland including the unique and
well-preserved 5,000-year-old semi-subterranean village of Skara Brae.
Everything
west of Kirkwall is known as West Mainland, an area of rich farmland,
rolling hills and moorland, with dramatic cliffs along the Atlantic
coastline. Some of the main archaeological attractions we may see
include the standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, and the
chambered tombs of Maes Howes that to this day still have unresolved
mysteries. One of the mainland's main attractions is Skara Brae, the
best-preserved Stone-Age village in northern Europe, located in the
spectacular white sands of the Bay of Skaill. Revealed in 1850 after a
storm below away the dunes, the site dates from approximately 5,000
years ago and was occupied for about 600 years, showing a unique
picture of the lifestyle of the original inhabitants.
Day
11 – Aberdeen
On
arrival in Aberdeen, we will disembark early morning and bid our fellow
travellers farewell before making our international connections home,
or continuing on for our next adventure. Onward flights and travel
should not be booked until after midday on the day of disembarkation.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Onboard
accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- Captain's
Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house
cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational
lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Free
access to our onboard doctor for consultations relating to
sea-sickness. A standard fee of US $60.00 (reclaimable through your
travel insurance provider) applies for medical consultations not
related to sea-sickness
- A
3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary
use of muck boots during the voyage
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information
- A
printed photo book produced with photos from your voyage
- Port
surcharges, permits, and landing fees
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Photography:
FREE
- Kayaking:
USD 1,150 per person
- SUP:
USD 440 per person
