SCOTTISH ADVENTURES ON BOARD M/S STOCKHOLM 2017 The Hebrides with St KildaThe Orkney & Shetland Islands

THE EXPEDITION SHIP M/S STOCKHOLMA CLASSIC SHIP LOVED BY MANY The M/S Stockholm is a classic ship built

in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime

Administration. In 1999 she was totally refitted

and started her career as a comfortable passenger

ship. The M/S Stockholm carries a maximum of

12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All

cabins have private facilities and small windows

(portholes).

She is a marvellous piece of maritime history

with beautiful brass details and wooden decks.

It is no wonder she is loved by so many! The food

on board is of high standard and all beverages are

included in the price.

Travelling on board M/S Stockholm is a truly

unique experience. In the dining room you

will enjoy delicious meals in the company of

likeminded travellers and in the comfortable

lounge you can relax after an eventful day. Out on

deck there is plenty of room to take photographs,

for wildlife spotting or to just sit back and enjoy

the scenery. The crew on board is also great

enthusiasts of the wildlife and unspoiled nature.

Their genuine curiosity is a prerequisite for

expedition cruises of this kind.

The Captain and crew of the ship have long

experience in Scottish waters and they work hard

to make every expedition a unique experience.

To change course and explore new areas in

true expedition style is not unusual on board

M/S Stockholm. With this small ship we are able

to reach places that would have been inaccessible

for larger vessels. One of the secrets to a

successful expedition cruise is the Zodiacs. With

these safe and sturdy rubber boats we can cruise

along impressive bird cliffs, explore exciting caves

and go ashore at scenic and interesting, historical

sites. On these expeditions we travel in areas

where we are totally dependent on the weather

and wind conditions. Please keep in mind that the

Captain and the Expedition Leader always strive to

maximise your experience and as often as possible

we will make landings or take Zodiac cruises.

WHAT TO EXPECT AS AN EXPEDITION MEMBER?

THE HEBRIDES WITH ST KILDA 14TH - 22ND APRIL & 21ST - 29TH APRIL 2017

of Scotland are buried here, including Duncan I,

who was murdered by Macbeth. Saint Columba

came here from Ireland in 563 AD and early

Christianity spread through Britain from this

remote island community. Weather permitting

we make a stop at the spectacular island of

Staffa with the amazing Fingal’s Cave. The

cave inspired Mendelsohn to compose “The

Hebrides Overture”. We also hope to be able to

land on Lunga to walk amongst the surprisingly

tame puffins.

Experience the exciting outposts of the Hebrides! Followed by gannets, fulmars and puffins we explore the green island Iona,

the spectacular Fingal’s Cave on the small island of Staffa and other beautiful islands. We also take the opportunity to visit one of

the many whisky distilleries the area is known for. One of the trip’s highlights is the isolated islands of St Kilda, a UNESCO World

Heritage Site and Scotland’s westernmost outpost. Weather permitting, we will make a landing here and explore the islands,

where people lived for thousands of years totally isolated from the rest of the world. On the cliffs around St Kilda we find the

world’s largest population of gannets – over 60 000 pairs nest here. During the expedition we also learn more about the area’s

rich history, marked by Vikings, Celts, druids and clans.

Day 1: GlasgowWe arrive in Glasgow and spend a night at a

comfortable and centrally located hotel.

Day 2 - 8: The HebridesAfter lunch we travel together to Oban and

board M/S Stockholm – our home for the next

seven nights. The following are examples of

exciting places we hope to visit:

Iona, Staffa & LungaIona has been a place of deep spiritual significance

for more than 1 000 years. No less than 62 Kings

Canna

Iona

Staffa

St Kilda

Callanish

THE HEBRIDES

Rum SCOTLAND

Oban

Glasgow

Lunga

Dunvegan

DATES & PRICES THE HEBRIDES WITH ST KILDA

St KildaWe head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of

St Kilda through the Sound of Harris, a remarkable

uninhabited archipelago some 64 km from the

nearest Scottish isles. For some this is a pilgrimage

in itself and a very moving experience. We drop

anchor in Village Bay on the main island Hirta

and wander through the remnants of the village.

St Kilda once supported a population of 200, but

the last islanders were evacuated in the 1930s.

Recent restoration work on the village by the

National Trust for Scotland offers an interesting

link with the past. Later we cruise past the

impressive island of Boreray, Stac an Amin and

Stac Lee, where tens of thousands of gannets nest.

Callanish StonesOn the northwestern side of Lewis we visit

the Callanish Stones, a cross-shaped setting

of standing stones erected around 3000 BC.

This is one of the most spectacular megalithic

monuments in Scotland.

DunveganDunvegan Castle is magnificently located on a

rocky outcrop on the shores of Loch Dunvegan.

Duration: 9 days.Dates: 14th - 22nd April & 21st - 29th April 2017.Group Size: Maximum 12 passengers.Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Stockholm, hotel. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiac, bus.Price: USD 6 090 per person.

RATE INCLUDES: 7 nights on board the M/S Stockholm . 1 night in a hotel in Glasgow . Transfer Glasgow - Oban return . All meals on board . All beverages on board . 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide . Guiding ashore and lectures on board . All excursions and activities . The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew . Comprehensive information material before the expedition . An illustrated post-

expedition log

NOT INCLUDED: Flights to/from Glasgow . Travel and cancellation insurance

Main deck

Upper Deck

21 22 23

25 26 27

Twin Cabin (bunk beds & private facilities) 6 090

Cabin category Price per person in USD

The castle is the oldest continuously inhabited

castle in Scotland and was the ancestral home

of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.

In contrast to the surrounding landscape,

dominated by barren moorland and mountains,

the gardens here are like a hidden oasis. Here we

find an eclectic mix of plants, woodland glades,

shimmering pools fed by waterfalls and streams

flowing down to the sea.

Canna & RumThe small island of Canna has a tiny agricultural

and cattle rearing population. From a walk along

the cliff top we may see golden eagles, white

tailed eagles, puffins and peregrine falcons.

The island is beautifully situated with stunning

views of the area. The neighboring island, Rum,

is a nature reserve and an oasis for birdwatchers.

More than 150 species have been observed on

this small island. If possible, we pay a visit to

Kinloch Castle, an eclectic 19th century turreted

castle built by the Bullough family, and walk the

nature trail, a beautiful area of wild flowers.

Day 9: ObanWe return to Oban and disembark M/S Stockholm in

the morning. Transfer to Glasgow International

Airport or Glasgow Central station is included.

Please note: This is a preliminary itinerary. Our exact route

will depend on the weather and wind conditions.

Please keep in mind that flexibility is the key to

a successful adventure!

from a stone house called Taigh Beannaichte

(Blessed House). If the sea is calm we might also

get a chance to explore some of the caves along

the coast.

North Rona East of Sula Sgeir lies North Rona. Even more

isolated and remote than St Kilda it is also very

hard to find on a map. North Rona is said to have

been the home of Saint Ronan in the 8th century.

A small Christian oratory that probably dates back

to the same period stands almost intact. Today,

grey seals and sea birds are the only inhabitants

on the island.

Stromness & KirkwallIn a private bus from the charming town of

Stromness we travel to the 5 000-year-old village

of Skara Brae and see the remarkable dwellings

that were revealed from beneath the sand dunes

by storms only 160 years ago. This is the heart of

Neolithic Orkney, designated as a World Heritage

Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology.

Today it is western Europe’s best preserved

prehistoric village. We continue to the Ring of

Brodgar - a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating

back almost 5 000 years. Our day ends in Kirkwall,

where we visit the beautiful St. Magnus Cathedral.

Fair IsleLocated halfway between Orkney and Shetland,

The Orkney and Shetland Islands offer their visitors spectacular nature, remarkable bird life and fascinating history. For the collector

of remote islands this is a unique opportunity to reach several exciting islands such as Fair Isle, Out Skerries or Papa Stour.

Day 1: GlasgowWe arrive in Glasgow and spend a night at a

comfortable and centrally located hotel.

Day 2: ObanAfter lunch we travel together to Oban and board

M/S Stockholm in the afternoon. After settled into

our cabins we set course north – the expedition

has started!

Day 3 - 9: Expedition cruisingWe are now on an expedition and our exact

itinerary will depend on weather and wind

conditions. These are places we hope to visit:

Summer Isles & HandaWe sail towards the Summer Isles and go ashore

on the largest and the only inhabited island of

the archipelago – Tanera Mòr. Those who walk

up Meall Mòr, the highest point on the island,

will be rewarded with a magnificent view. We also

visit the little post office that has issued its own

postage stamps since 1970. Later, we reach the

small island Handa. During the summer season

the island’s dramatic sandstone cliffs become

home to an estimated 100 000 breeding seabirds

such as puffins, razorbills and guillemots.

Sula SgeirThe uninhabited and remote Island of Sula Sgeir

is located in the midst of the sea and is known for

its bustling birdlife. Here, you also find the ruins

this small island claims to be the best place to

find rare birds in Britain with at least 27 first

records and also hosts a famous bird observatory.

Fair Isle is a also a traditional knitting technique

used to create patterns with multiple colours.

HermanessThe moorland and the dramatic cliffs of

Hermaness are home to gannets, cormorants,

guillemots and puffins. Here, you also find a

large colony of great skuas, known as the flying

pirates. Even the giants are said to have settled

here. Unfortunately a giant called Herman, the

namesake of the island, is said to have been

lured away by a mermaid...

Papa StourThe island’s eroded, volcanic cliffs form an

THE ORKNEY & SHETLAND ISLANDS 28TH APRIL - 9TH MAY 2017

SCOTLAND

Handa

SHETLAND

ORKNEY

Oban Glasgow

Stromness

Lerwick

Summer Isles

Kirkwall

Sula Sgeir Fair Isle

Papa Stour Out Skerries

Hermaness

NossNorth Rona

DATES & PRICES THE ORKNEY & SHETLAND ISLANDSDuration: 12 days.Dates: 28th April - 9th May 2017.Group Size: Maximum 12 passengers.Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Stockholm, hotel. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs, bus.Price: USD 6 890 per person.

RATE INCLUDES: 10 nights on board the M/S Stockholm . 1 night in a hotel in Glasgow. Transfer Glasgow - Oban. All meals on board . All beverages on board . 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide . Guiding ashore and talks on board . All excursions and activities . The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew . Comprehensive information material before the expedition . An

illustrated post-expedition log

NOT INCLUDED: Flights to Glasgow and from Bergen . Travel and cancellation insurance

interesting coastline consisting of cliff ledges,

stone columns, arches, blowholes and caves.

The most famous cave is Kirstan Hol and during

a calm day it is possible to sail through its

labyrinths. On the island you also find several

Neolithic graveyards and what is said to be the

remnants of a 13th century house that belonged

to Duke Hakon.

Out SkerriesIf you look at a map it may be difficult to imagine

that this small island is inhabited, but these four

square kilometers of rock and pasture boast of

more than 70 residents. The dramatic landscape,

the birdlife and the interesting history make a

visit here unforgettable.

NossIn the 1850s some 20 people lived on the

island, but today it does not have any permanent

inhabitants (not counting the sheep that graze

here). The scenic sandstone cliffs of Noss are

home to an array of nesting seabirds and if

lucky we might see porpoise and otter in the

surrounding waters.

Day 10: LerwickLerwick is the capital and main port of the

Shetland Islands. By strolling around the streets,

we can feel the history that still dwells here. The

town also houses a beautiful museum, where

we get acquainted with the islands fascinating

history and culture. We then head at sea, towards

the Norwegian coast and beautiful Bergen.

Day 11: BergenToday we explore in the hanseatic city of Bergen,

surrounded by high mountains and deep fjords.

Popular sights include Bryggen Museum, the

Bergenhus fortress and the fish markets. We also

take the cable car up to the highest of Bergen´s

seven mountains, Mount Ulriken, from where we

get a spectacular view of the city.

Day 12: DisembarkationIn the morning we disembark and continue

home. If you have time, we suggest you take the

Bergen Line to Oslo and experience one of the

most beautiful train journeys in the world.

Please note: Several of the islands mentioned

above are extremely exposed to weather and

wind and the exact route is dependent on these

factors. Please keep in mind that flexibility is

the key to a successful adventure!

Main deck

Upper Deck

21 22 23

25 26 27

Twin Cabin (bunk beds & private facilities) 6 890

Cabin category Price per person in USD

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