Scotland Slowly

About Your Travel Provider, Adventure Canada

Adventure Canada is an award winning family run travel company with more than thirty years’ experience specializing in travel to the world’s more remote destinations. They engage, educate, and entertain by connecting people to each other and the land through travel. Adventure Canada’s pioneering approach to small group experiences emphasizes wildlife, culture, learning, and fun. Our ROMTravel experience is organized by Adventure Canada in conjunction with local operator, Frontiers North Adventures, another Canadian family business specializing in Churchill.

Ontario registration numbers 04001400 and 50021860

Day 1 and 2 Aberdeen, Scotland

Many of Aberdeen’s historic stone buildings are made of locally quarried granite. High in mica, they can sparkle like silver. The city is famed for its 45 parks, gardens, and floral displays.

In recent years, Aberdeen has become the gateway to the North Sea oil industry, but the city retains its old world charm and is a wonderful place for a walkabout.

On Day 1, enjoy a welcome dinner and overnight hotel stay exclusive to ROMTravel guests. On Day 2, after a walking tour we will depart via coach to board the “Ocean Endeavour”, our home for the next ten nights.

Day 3 Fair Isle

Once a Viking hub, Fair Isle is now an idyllic island colony of artists and shepherds. The island boasts 350 bird species, including puffins and great skuas in substantial numbers. The local museum is dedicated to preserving island heritage.

Day 4 Papa Stour and Foula

Marine and bird life flourish at Papa Stour among cliffs, caves, sea stacks, and blowholes. We will have a morning Zodiac cruise exploring the coastline’s rugged beauty!

Twenty three kilometres west of the Shetland Islands, Foula is the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom. Here, a few dozen folk make their homes, many preserving traditional methods of agriculture and subsistence. Arctic terns, red throated divers, and great skuas may be found here.

Day 5 Kirkwall, Orkney

Kirkwall is dominated by the massive Saint Magnus Cathedral, dating from 1137. This is the final resting place of the famed Orcadian Arctic explorer, John Rae.

Day 6 Isle of Lewis

Lewis is the largest of the Hebridean Islands and a Gaelic stronghold.

Harris Tweed has its headquarters on Lewis. Its product is hand woven exclusively in the Outer Hebrides by weavers working at home. We will visit Stornoway, the island’s capital.

On the west side of Lewis is Callanish, one of Britain’s most important Stone Age sites. Callanish’s standing stones are said to be giants who were punished by Saint Kieran for refusing to convert to Christianity.

Day 7 Saint Kilda

The archipelago known as Saint Kilda was inhabited until 1930. Today, Saint Kilda is a Unesco World Heritage site, protecting fascinating ruins as well as natural heritage features.

Seabirds thrive on the island of Hirta, notably, puffins, fulmars, and the largest gannet colony in Britain. Hirta is also home to feral sheep left by the departing islanders. Enormous cliffs offer dramatic ocean views!

Day 8 Outer Hebrides

At times referred to as the Long Isle or the Western Isles, the Outer Hebrides are a fantastic collection of over 100 islands 70 kilometres off Scotland’s west coast. Known today as a leader in renewable energy and a Gaelic stronghold, the Outer Hebrides have a colourful history. Here we find the oldest evidence of human habitation in Scotland with Pictish, Norse and Scots influence.

We will search out the rich marine

and bird life of the islands as conditions permit.

Day 9 Skye

This is a fabulous day for birders, photographers, and hikers. We will cruise the southwestern shore of Skye to visit Loch Coruisk, a freshwater loch accessed through Loch Scavaig. Here we find one of the finest mountainscapes in Britain, backed by the Cuillin Mountains. We will have an opportunity to hike the western shore and revel in the view.

Day 10 Iona and Staffa

The isle of Staffa is famed for basaltic formations and numerous caves. The best known of these is Fingal’s Cave, a spectacular geological feature named for the Celtic hero. Originally known in Gaelic as “the melodious cave”, it provided the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s overture, “The Hebrides”.

Saint Columba established his monastery at nearby Iona, the burial place of kings. The restored Iona Abbey complex preserves two outstanding 8^th century crosses and a splendid collection of sculpture.

Day 11 Islay

The Queen of the Hebrides, Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides. This island lies only 40 kilometres from the Irish coast. Islay is a haven for seabirds, thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.

We will visit Loch Finlaggan historic site, home of the Lords of the Isles and Clan Donald, along with a visit to Gruinart Nature Reserve, a thriving habitat for barnacle goose, hen harriers and corncrakes.

Islay is world famous for fine whisky, thanks to clear waters, fine peat and barley.

Expedition Cost Includes

• Welcome dinner and one hotel night, based on double occupancy, in Aberdeen on Day 1
• Passage aboard the Ocean Endeavour
• Applicable taxes and credit card fees
• Complimentary expedition jacket
• Contribution to Adventure Canada’s Discovery Fund
• Special access permits, entry, and park fees
• Expert expedition team
• Guided activities
• Sightseeing and community visits
• All Zodiac excursions
• Port fees
• Pre-departure materials
• Educational program
• Camera Lending Program
• Interactive workshops
• Evening entertainment
• All shipboard meals

Clean Ship

The “Ocean Endeavour” is equipped with a Hepa filtered fresh air heating and cooling system. Medical grade virucidal cleaning agents and sanitization equipment will be used to clean and sterilize all cabins, public areas, crew areas, and ship’s equipment on an increased cleaning schedule.

Healthy People

Mandatory pre screening and Covid 19 testing will be conducted before all guests, staff, and crew board the ”Ocean Endeavour”. Daily health screenings will include temperature checks and health questionnaires for your personalized health log. Social distancing measures and small group programming will be the norm on our expeditions.

Responsible Experiences

All staff and crew will be trained on infection control and Covid 19 outbreak prevention protocol, including two dedicated professional medical staff for each voyage. Our executive management team will complete a thorough review of all expedition logistical plans before each departure to ensure our plans are prioritizing evolving health and safety best practices and local requests.

Community Commitment

All visits will be tailored to ensure community and guest safety is at the forefront of all our activities. Mandatory health and safety briefings will be conducted before each community visit based on site specific best practices and community requests. We will continue to collaborate with community tourism partners to ensure specific guidelines are followed.