Northern Europe, British Isles

The Jewels of Scotland

I'd like to cruise

leaving in

for approximately days.

Budget wise I'm looking around the range.

Looking for a cruise to a particular country?

Looking for a particular ship?

The type of ship I'm interested in is called

As a tiara of rough dark-brown rubies, small islands adorn the Scottish coastline. And none of these fascinating history-filled islands is easy to get to.
On this special voyage, you will get a unique chance to visit no less than seven Scottish islands. Each one is begging to tell you stories about a dramatic past reaching back millions of years to birth from hot molten lava, millenniums to stone age dwellings – or just 12 years to create splendid single malt whiskies.

Embarking on Albatros’ expedition vessel, Ocean Albatros, we head for our first landing on the Shetland islands, home to several world-famous brands of peaty whiskies. Further north to Oban and Iona and onwards to Staffa and Rùm with their dramatic displays of volcanic eruptions. During evening lectures on board, you will get to understand their geological history.

We continue to the Outer Hebrides to make landings on remote Hirta in the St. Kilda archipelago and on Lewis in the town of Stornoway. North of the mainland lies the rugged and scenic islands of Orkney, home to some of Europe’s oldest preserved dwellings – and Scotland’s northernmost whisky factory! The voyage ends in Aberdeen, in mainland Scotland.

This spring cruise with Ocean Albatros is the ultimate journey in the exciting Scottish waters, complete with whisky, wildlife, and spectacular landscapes!

Highlights

• The Shetland islands with birdwatching on the Isle of Noss

• The Port Village Of Ullapool

• The Capital Of The Island Of Mul, The Scottish Inner Hebrides, Tobermory

• The Pilgrimage Island Of Iona

• Towering And Remote Hirta In St. Kilda Archipelago. Puffins, Deserted Villages And Unesco Heritage

• Port Of Stornoway

• Orkney Islands And Historic Kirkwall

DAY 1 BOARDING IN ABERDEEN, PORT CITY OF SCOTLAND

Our journey begins in Aberdeen, where MV Ocean Albatros is located by the dock. Aberdeen, the Scottish city of adventure, is known for its many titles - the most famous being Granite City. With its glittering Victorian buildings, it's easy to see why the city was once the world's granite capital. Now a lively cultural centre, Aberdeen has a variety of museums, galleries, theatres, shops, cafes, and restaurants for visitors (who arrive early) to discover. Boarding is in the afternoon when the cabins are designated. After the mandatory security review and drill, we sail out along the coast of North East Scotland.

DAY 2 SHETLAND ISLANDS, SCOTLAND. LERWICK: IRON AGE DWELLINGS, PEAT FUEL AND QUAINT FISHING VILLAGE. ISLE OF NOSS, BIRDWATCHING

We are set to approach Lerwick near the "Main Land" of the Shetlands in the morning. The Shetland Islands consist of more than 100 islands, of which only 15 are inhabited year-round. The islands form the northernmost part of the United Kingdom, located approximately 300 km north of the mainland of Scotland. Once securely docked at the port, we depart through Lerwick towards Scalloway for a short scenic drive. From the elevated position we can enjoy the view of the charming village and the imposing Scalloway Castle. After a short photo stop, we continue eastwards through the area that is locally known as the “Black Gates” – an area where peat is still cut and used as fuel. Following the road northwards, our main destination of Clickimin Broch is only a short drive. There will be free time to discover this well preserved and restored Broch and learn more about life in the Iron Age. (Please note: The coach excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip). Afterwards, we will return to Lerwick and the ship around lunchtime. As we finish our meal, our ship moves to the nearby Isle of Noss, where we will encounter many bird colonies. Depending on the weather we hope to make either a Zodiac cruise or a landing with a smaller hike on the island. We leave the Shetland Islands and explore the seas towards the scottish mainland at Ullapool harbor.

DAY 3 THE PORT VILLAGE OF ULLAPOOL

Situated in the Ross and Cromarty region of the Scottish Highlands, Ullapool is a small village and harbour boasting a population of roughly 1,500. 45 miles north-west of Inverness, this is the largest settlement for miles around, despite its relatively tiny size. Positioned in the tranquil waters of Loch Broom, Ullapool enjoys some of the most spectacular scenery in the United Kingdom. The Northwest Highlands have a population density comparable to Mongolia, and Ullapool sits almost alone amid thousands of miles of untouched wilderness. As the ideal gateway to Assynt, Ullapool is a magnet for geologists, who for centuries have visited this region of Scotland attempting to unravel the mysteries of the Earth. The area bears witness billions of years of geological evolution, from meteorite impacts to the opening and closing of oceans, and the rise and fall of mountains. While geologically fascinating, anyone can appreciate the spectacular mountainous landscape of Assynt, sculpted by millennia of glacial grindings, volcanic eruptions and tectonic collisions. The best way to experience this dramatic landscape is on foot, with excellent hiking opportunities beginning right from the harbour; meanwhile, Loch Broom brims with wildlife best discovered on a zodiac cruise with your knowledgeable expedition team. The approach to Ullapool passes the Summer Isles, which are a magnet for dolphins; keep your binoculars at the ready!

DAY 4 THE CAPITAL OF THE ISLAND OF MULL, THE SCOTTISH INNER HEBRIDES, TOBERMORY

Serving as the only burgh on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland until 1973, Tobermory is the capital of the region. Positioned near the northern entrance of the Sound of Mull on the east coast of Mishnish, this village was originally founded as a fishing port in 1788 and has an approximate population of one thousand. Its formation was shaped according to the designs of Thomas Telford, a civil engineer from Dumfriesshire. Tobermory defines most people's thoughts when they consider the Scottish Islands. Bright, multicoloured homes and businesses overlook the town's bustling harbour front, backed by forbidding hills mantled in thick forest. Tobermory is a true Scottish jewel, and is home to a large community of artists and other creatives, as well as those seeking an escape from the rigours of the world. The picture perfect town belies an adventurous spirit; Tobermory is the ideal gateway to the vast wilderness of the Isle of Mull, with excellent hiking options across the island, many beginning from the harbour itself. The rich waters and strong currents of the Sound of Mull nourish the abundant sea life of the area; seals, dolphins and eagles are all resident in the area, and more exotic visitors such as basking sharks can also be found nearby. Of course no self-respecting Scottish isle would be complete without a distillery, and the Isle of Mull distillery produces two renowned varieties, smooth mellow Tobermory and smoky intense Ledaig (pronounced Leh-Chig). With several warm cosy pubs also situated around the bay, connoisseurs are utterly spoiled for choice. Sláinte!

DAY 5 THE PILGRIMAGE ISLAND OF IONA AND THE ISLE OF LUNGA

Follow in the footsteps of generations of saints, holy men and pilgrims. Despite it's tiny size, Iona stands large in history as the site where Christianity arrived in Scotland, brought from Ireland by Saint Columba. Arriving in a pagan wilderness at Port na Curaich, St Columba began to preach on the site where the Abbey of Iona would be built. Parts of the Abbey complex date to around 800AD, making it one of the oldest Christian sites in Western Europe; relics stored in the excellent Abbey Museum tell the fascinating story of this isle. Centuries of Viking raids, geographic isolation, and the Scottish Reformation led the Abbey to fall into disrepair until the buildings were transferred to the ownership of the Iona Cathedral Trust in 1899, beginning the long and arduous process of rebuilding. Today the island is a popular destination for those seeking the tranquility of it's crystal clear sapphire seas and wild green hills, as well as modern-day pilgrims seeking the wisdom of this ancient site. Our visit entails a walk around the small town and free time around the Abbey. To reach the Abbey, pass through the charming village of Iona (more frequently known simply as “the Village”, which hosts several galleries, shops and cafes. The Isle of Iona also plays host to excellent hiking and a wide variety of natural habitat home to several rare species including the elusive corncrake. We return to the ship for lunch and the ship leaves for the island of Lunga. The tiny uninhabited Isle of Lunga sits amid the Treshnish Isles, a set of rugged rocks west of the Isle of Mull. The island has been assigned the special designation of Site of Special Area of Conservation due to its abundant wildlife. Residents left the island during the Highland Clearances, leaving Lunga to be reclaimed by nature, and today it hosts one of the largest seabird colonies of the Scottish Isles. In a gash in the rocks, thousands of guillemots and razorbill cluster on rocky perches, while iridescent shags and puffins claim nests and burrows on the grassy slopes above. The birds here have never been hunted and exhibit a remarkable fear of people; move slowly and quietly to be rewarded with some of Scotland's most intimate nature encounters with these charismatic feathered friends. Note: this activity is designated as moderate; the landing on the rocky beach is not suitable for those with mobility issues. After our afternoon visit, we continue northbound towards St Kilda.

DAY 6 TOWERING AND REMOTE HIRTA IN ST. KILDA ARCHIPELAGO. PUFFINS, DESERTED VILLAGES AND UNESCO HERITAGE

Today we arrive at the dramatic and isolated island of Hirta, famous for its highest sea cliffs in the United Kingdom. We have traversed 45 miles west of the Outer Hebrides coast to reach this most remote part of the United Kingdom. The uninhabited island have remnants of human heritage, in the shape of medieval villages and architecture. The islands were mainly used for seabird hunting and grazing. The last 36 St Kildans left on 29 August 1930 because life had become too difficult on the remote archipelago. Today, there are summer residents comprising of staff from the National Trust for Scotland, volunteers and scientists. The volcanic archipelago that consists of the islands of Hirta, Dun, Soay and Boreray has made its way on the UNESCO World Heritage List, holding a dual status of both natural and cultural treasure. The spectacular landscapes, hidden coves, rugged terrain and bird-rich coasts are what we will spend our time on during our visit. St Kilda is a breeding ground for many important seabird species. So, we will be on the lookout for northern gannets, Leach’s petrels, puffins and the northern fulmar, and if we are extremely lucky, we may find the endemic St Kilda wren pecking for insects in the thick vegetation around the cliffs and rocky slopes. When seaborne, our eyes are as always peeled for sea mammals, which in these areas could also include humpbacks and even orcas. In the afternoon, we continue our voyage towards the Outer Hebrides.

DAY 7 PORT OF STORNOWAY, OPTIONAL LEWIS EXCURSION WITH THE CALLANISH STANDING STONES & WILDLIFE ALONG THE SHIANT ISLES COAST

As our Jewels of the Scottish isles continues, we navigate through the northwestern part of Scotland. We find ourselves in the remote string of islands known as the Outer Hebrides - herein lies the Isle of Lewis and Harris, a rugged and bleakly beautiful land of heather and moor, loch and stream; home to the main harbor town of Stornoway. Arriving to the main town in the early morning, we offer an optional excursion that takes us along the wild scenery of the Outer Hebrides and ancient history in the form of the Neolithic Callanish Standing Stones. Expect the guides to share many stories behind the sights we pass. (The excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip). Back in Stornoway, we board the ship to sail during lunch, so we can circumnavigate the Shiant islands before setting off towards the Orkney islands. The Shiant isles translate from gaelic to something like “enchanted isles”. The privately owned islands have large populations of seabirds and its protected marine area make it what some would call “paradise for observations”. We spend some time enjoying the breathtaking scenery before we move on.

DAY 8 ORKNEY ISLANDS AND HISTORIC KIRKWALL

As the night progresses, our boat will travel northeast beyond the Outer and Inner Hebrides and by morning we'll have arrived at the port of Kirkwall on the breezy Orkney Isles off the coast of Scotland. Orkney's name originates from Old Norse for "seal islands," and like other northern Atlantic isles, the region is rich in Viking history. We set out from Kirkwall to the west side of the largest isle, Mainland. As we move through the serene hillsides, we'll be navigating the World Heritage Site of the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney, full of ancient archaeology. Our journey takes us past the Standing Stones of Stenness to the 5000-year-old ceremonial Ring of Brodgar, an enduring vestige of one of the earliest European civilizations. (The excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip). In the afternoon, we'll be on our way south to Aberdeen.

DAY 9 THE JOURNEY ENDS IN ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND

The Captain will lead the ship southwards along the east coast of Scotland, and we’ll arrive in Aberdeen, Scotland's third-largest city. At this time we’ll say farewell to the ship and its crew before departing.

Please Note:

Please keep in mind, the itinerary and outdoor activities during each voyage are solely dependent on weather and operational conditions to ensure the safety and quality of experience of our guests.

20 May, 2024 to 28 May, 2024
Ocean Albatros

Sold Out

Ocean Albatros

Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition

Passenger Capacity: 169 (95 cabins)

Length: 104.4 m

Built: 2022

The Ocean Albatros, sistership to the Ocean Victory, will join the fleet of Albatros Expeditions in November 2022.

The Ocean Albatros will be deployed to a large selection of expedition cruise destinations, Antarctica, the Arctic, any various exciting new destinations in between.

With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities. The vessel will have more than a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels and be one of the most environmentally friendly, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests. Unlike the Ocean Victory, the Ocean Albatros will also offer a unique panorama sauna, and a total of 12 dedicated solo travel cabins without a single-supplement.

BRIDGE

Due to its important role as a control center for all nautical and technical processes, the ship's bridge is a vital, sensitive place. Therefore, the bridge may not be accessible to the public at all times. Conditions permitting, we will be happy to welcome you into the bridge for a visit. Guests must be accompanied by the master or our expedition leader.

STATEROOM SERVICE

Your stateroom is serviced daily. We provide a turn-down service. We provide meal to room only for serious cases of guest being sick. Our suites will have VIP services.

ZODIAC LANDINGS

One feature of our expedition cruises includes landings and excursions aboard Ocean Albatros's fleet of 18 inflatable, motorized rubber "Zodiac" boats. The Zodiac brand has earned a well-deserved reputation as the sturdiest and safest small watercraft available. These boats have a low draft and great stability. Zodiacs are constructed for professional use and are outfitted with a top-quality outboard engine, yet their design minimally impacts the environment.

The Zodiacs are designed to provide unrestricted access to the world’s last great frontier. Their versatility enables us to make landfall on remote shores, cruise along awe-inspiring coastlines and share breathtakingly close encounters with whales, seals, penguins, seabirds and more. We will come within arm’s reach of icebergs and set foot on land discovered by pioneering explorers just over a century ago.

Your safety and comfort are our #1 priority, and your expedition leader will carefully plan for as many Zodiac excursions as possible, dependent upon the local weather and prevailing conditions. In each case, the expedition leader makes the final decision if the landing is possible or not. Safety regulations apply on landings. All guests receive a mandatory instruction of the safety guidelines. Life jackets are mandatory to wear.

Please note, we highly recommend the use of waterproof bags in order to protect your personal camera or binoculars, as both hands must be free of everything during boarding. Participation is fairly easy and comfortable for able-bodied guests but can be more challenging for those with physical handicaps.

GRATUITIES

Following international standards in the service industry, it is customary to leave gratuity for the ship’s crew at the end of the voyage. All gratuities will be divided among the crew. Typically, a recommended amount is approximately 13.5 USD per person per day. Gratuity is, of course, not required and any gratuity payments are voluntary.

DRESS CODE

The dress code on board is casual. Ties, jackets and evening dresses you may leave at home. It is rather more important to wear the right clothes in order to adapt to the different weather conditions. We recommend comfortable, breathable, waterproof and windproof clothing. Also, you should have a pair of gloves, thermal underwear and sturdy footwear in your luggage. For the captains and farewell cocktail, we recommend a smart casual dress style.

INTERNET / PHONE

Keep in mind, we will be cruising in a very remote region of the world. Where accessible, internet access is available for an extra charge. Mobile phone reception may be possible in select regions along our route. For further details please contact your mobile phone operator. Prices can be found in the information folder in your state room. Please ensure that your ‘Data Roaming’ function is switched off.

RECEPTION

The daily office hours of the board reception are from 06:00 until 23:00.

ALBATROS OCEAN SHOP

The selection of items available for purchase varies by ship, and may include a range of warm and practical clothing, as well as souvenirs, local arts and postcards at reasonable prices. A small selection of soap, toothpaste and other personal effects are also sold.

HEALTH / MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Each of our vessels has a small medical facility equipped with the necessary equipment and medicine to handle small emergencies. The infirmary is always staffed by a professionally licensed, English-speaking physician and nurse. Should a serious incident occur, the nearest hospital will be contacted. All guests must have personal travel/health insurance.

Although we do not have an official requirement regarding personal fitness, you should be able to move on board and ashore without the help of others. Please be aware that the ship does not provide wheelchair accessible state rooms.

Due to safety reasons a cruise is only possible for pregnant women until the 24th week of pregnancy. The state of pregnancy must be presented by a medical certificate.

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES / WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY

Guests with physical disabilities are recommended to travel with an accompanying person. The processes on board should be handled without external help. The gangway can be – depending on the individual disability – a challenge. The angle of inclination of the gangway varies due to tide and different circumstances in the respective port. Please note that the guest’s participation in shore excursions as well as the (dis-)embarkation by Zodiac can be denied by the expedition leader due to security reasons. The instructions of the expedition leader must be followed. The ship is not suitable for wheelchairs.

SEASICKNESS / STABILISATORS

The ship is equipped with stabilizers in order to reduce the ship’s roll. However, these expeditions are hosted in remote regions, and it is possible to periodically encounter changing environments and climate patterns, including rough seas and large swells. Seasickness patches (Scopoderm or similar) work solely or in part to help cure nausea for most people. These medicines can cause sleepiness. If you are prone to motion sickness, consult with your doctor prior to departure to help ensure your comfort while travelling.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

All meals on board the vessel is chef-prepared. If you have special dietary requirements (food allergies, intolerances, health conditions or religious preferences), please inform us as early as possible - ideally, no later than 2 weeks before departure. In order to ensure efficient service, please re-confirm your requirements with the crew upon boarding the ship.

LAUNDRY

If you wish to have some laundry done while aboard the ship, laundry service is available for an additional fee.

Inclusions

• Voyage in selected cabin category
• Accommodation in shared inside or outside cabins as booked
• English speaking expedition team
• Shore landings by zodiac
• Information briefings and lectures held on board by expedition team
• All meals while on board
• Welcome and farewell cocktails
• Free tea and coffee on board
• Complimentary use of boots for shore landings
• Digital journal link after voyage (Includes voyage log, gallery, species list and more)
• Port Fees, taxes and AECO fees and tariffs

Exclusions

• Flights to/from departure port unless specified in itinerary
• Hotel accommodations unless specified in itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Cancellation insurance
• Additional excursions and activities not mentioned in itinerary
• Meals when not on board the ship
• Beverages other than tea/coffee and water
• Gratuities for crew (recommended USD$14.00 per passenger per day)
• Any items of a personal nature