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Spirit of Scotland

During this expedition cruise, we will travel out into the Atlantic for a visit to St Kilda. Once inhabited, this special island is now left to the birds, thousands of seabirds on huge cliffs that rise from the ocean. By contrast our visits to the Inner Hebrides and the islands of Gigha and Islay offer lush scenery. Achamore Gardens on Gigha are an absolute delight and at their best in spring. On Lewis we will see the mysterious Standing Stones of Callanish and on Orkney and Shetland be enthralled by their early history and Neolithic sites. On remote Fair Isle enjoy a walk and a morning coffee with some of the fifty or so inhabitants of this tiny island sandwiched between Orkney and Shetland. In addition to these scenic wonders, we will be visiting the Castle and Gardens of Mey.

We are indeed fortunate in having such marvellous places so close to home. Now, more than ever there is a great appreciation of the peace, beauty and culture which these tiny islands on the edge possess. The islands are wonderful places to escape from the modern world, to slow down to their pace and enjoy the nature, sea and landscapes.
Departures
Spirit of Scotland
18 May, 2012 to 26 May, 2012 Make a booking request

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Category 1 £1995.00 GBP pp
Category 1 - Solo £2295.00 GBP pp
Category 2 £2395.00 GBP pp
Category 3 £2795.00 GBP pp

Spirit of Scotland itinerary:

Day 1 - OBAN
Embark the Ocean Nova in the afternoon. A transfer will be provided from Glasgow Central Station and the international airport to Oban at a fixed time. Sail in the early evening along the southern shores of Mull.
Day 2 - PABBAY, BERNERAY & MINGULAY
This promises to be a most memorable day as we circumnavigate the uninhabited islands at the very tip of South Uist. Making good use of our Zodiacs we will explore the islands and make beach landings. These islands are a nature reserve with important breeding populations of razorbills, guillemots, black guillemots, puffins, fulmars and shags. There are also five species of gull, all the seabirds being attracted by the cliffs and caves which offer safe nesting sites. The islands also have significant historical sites, including the old village on Mingulay which the last islanders left in 1912 and the lighthouse on Bernerary offering superb views of the cliffs and birdlife.
Day 3 - ST KILDA
Arrive at first light at St Kilda, a remarkable uninhabited archipelago some fifty miles beyond the Outer Hebrides. For some this is almost a pilgrimage and a moving experience as we drop anchor off Village Bay on the island of Hirta. The local ranger will come aboard to give a brief talk before we have the chance to wander through the village. St Kilda once supported a population of over 200, but the last islanders left in the 1930s.Recent restoration work on the village by the National Trust for Scotland offers a marvellous link with the past. Later, cruise past two of the largest gannetries in the world at Stac Lee and Berneray as we make our way to the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Lewis.
Day 4 - STORNOWAY & SHIANT ISLANDS
On leaving the island capital of Stornoway, today’s tour takes you across the island to the beautiful west coast of the island and to Callanish. Described as Scotland’s Stonehenge, the Callanish Standing Stones date from around 3000BC. There are a total of 32 stones in a circular and avenue design. The stones stand like a petrified forest on the flat top of a peninsula which reaches out into East Loch Roag. Visit the excellent visitor centre to learn more about the site and venture out amongst the stones themselves to experience their mysterious atmosphere. Continue around the west coast to the site of Dun Carloway Pictish Broch. Probably built some time in the last century BC, it would have served as an occasionally defensible residence for an extended family complete with accommodation for animals at ground floor level. It would also have served as a visible statement of power and status in the local area. We then head north to Gearrannan Blackhouse Village – a reconstructed settlement of traditional blackhouses where people and animals lived in close proximity. The houses are made using dry stone masonry and have thatched roofs, distinctively weighted down with rocks. Visit the small museum, enjoy a display of a typical crofting activity such as weaving and take in the views at this dramatic site on the wild Atlantic coast. This afternoon we will board the zodiacs for a cruise around the Shiant Islands a group of little islands located a few miles off the shores of Lewis. This is an excellent place to spot seals and hopefully White Tailed Eagles.
Day 5 - INVEREWE & TANERA MOR
This morning we visit the imposing gardens of Inverewe, surely one of the finest sited gardens in all of Scotland. Here, exotic and tender plants thrive in their northerly location, warmed by the Gulf Stream and protected by the surrounding mountains. During lunch sail up the coast to Loch Broom and the Summer Isles. Visit the only inhabited island of Tanera Mor. Take a walk, enjoy the stunning views, look out for otters and seals and the prolific bird life. Perhaps stop at the unique post office, whose own rare stamps are much sought after by collectors.
Day 6 - SCRABSTER & STROMNESS, ORKNEY
This morning, visit the Castle and Gardens of Mey which was built between 1566 and 1572 by George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness. The castle was purchased by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1952 who restored the castle for use as a holiday home. Having acquired the most northerly inhabited castle on the British mainland, The Queen Mother renovated and restored it and created the beautiful gardens we will see today. This afternoon we leave Stromness and head into the west of Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. We pass through the gentle rolling landscape of Orkney and into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney; an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. We will see the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar; a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating back almost 5000 years. We continue to the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae and see the remarkable dwellings revealed from beneath the sand dunes by storms only 150 years ago. There will also be time to visit the nearby manor house of Skaill House, built in 1620 on top of an ancient graveyard.
Day 7 - MOUSA & LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS
This morning we arrive at the island of Mousa to see the forty-foot defensive tower built by the Picts more than 2000 years ago, and the tallest, best preserved example of an Iron Age broch (tower) in Britain. Over lunch, sail to Lerwick, the Shetland capital and begin your exploration of this historic port with a tour that wanders through its narrow stone lanes. Visit the Shetland Museum, containing artifacts from shipwrecks and the whaling era. Continue on to the remarkable Neolithic ruins of Jarlshof. The site was uncovered by a violent storm in the winter of 1896/7, revealing an extraordinary settlement site embracing at least 5,000 years of human history. The site contains a remarkable sequence of stone structures – late Neolithic houses, a Bronze-Age village, an Iron-Age broch and wheelhouses, several Norse longhouse, a medieval farmstead, and the 16th-century laird’s house.
Day 8 - FAIR ISLE AND COPINSAY
This morning call at Fair Isle. The tiny population of sixty or so islanders always extend us a warm welcome. Enjoy a walk across the island, perhaps visiting the Bird Observatory, searching out the puffin slopes. Later, explore the tiny Copinsay Islands, a group of islands located just off the main Orkney island, known for their prolific and accessible seabird colonies.
Day 9 - ABERDEEN
Disembark after breakfast. A transfer will be provided to Aberdeen rail station and airport at a fixed time.
Map for Spirit of Scotland

Ocean Nova

The ice-strengthened expedition ship Ocean Nova is a sister ship to our popular MS Quest. She was built in Denmark in 1992 with high ice class to serve Greenland’s west coast. In 2004 to 2005 she was completely refurbished and has now a career as a small and comfortable expedition ship. The Ocean Nova accommodates 86 passengers in single, double and triple cabins, all with sea-view and private facilities. The double cabins have either two lower beds or upper and lower beds. The triple cabins have upper and lower beds. In your cabin you will also find a desk with chair and ample storage space for clothes and equipment.

In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy a drink with a breathtaking view of the surrounding polar landscape. This is where PolarQuest’s on board specialists entertain and educate you with lectures on polar biology, history, geology and conservation. There is also a library with panoramic views and a good selection of polar books. On board there is a satellite phone, gym and medical doctor. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for from the spacious observation decks. The ship has North European officers and there is a friendly and informal atmosphere on board. Travelling with this small expedition ship offers an entirely different experience and perspective than you can get on a larger and more conventional cruise ship.

Techincal Specifications:
Staff & Crew: 34
Passengers: 82 (in lowers) 94 (all berths)
Length: 73.0 m
Breadth: 11.0 m
Draft: 4.0 m
GRT: 2,118 tons
Propulsion: diesel engines ^ 2,000 hp
Ice Class: Ice 1B, E0 (Hull Ice 1A)
Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Registered in The Bahamas

Cabin layout for Ocean Nova