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Home , Fair Isle, Out Skerries, Papa Stour, Shetland, Summer Isles

SCOTTISH ADVENTURES ON BOARD M/S 2017 The with St Kilda The & Islands THE EXPEDITION SHIP M/S STOCKHOLM A CLASSIC SHIP LOVED BY MANY The M/S Stockholm is a classic ship built She is a marvellous piece of maritime history likeminded travellers and in the comfortable in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime with beautiful brass details and wooden decks. lounge you can relax after an eventful day. Out on Administration. In 1999 she was totally refitted It is no wonder she is loved by so many! The food deck there is plenty of room to take photographs, and started her career as a comfortable passenger on board is of high standard and all beverages are for wildlife spotting or to just sit back and enjoy ship. The M/S Stockholm carries a maximum of included in the price. the scenery. The crew on board is also great 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All Travelling on board M/S Stockholm is a truly enthusiasts of the wildlife and unspoiled nature. cabins have private facilities and small windows unique experience. In the dining room you Their genuine curiosity is a prerequisite for (portholes). will enjoy delicious meals in the company of expedition cruises of this kind.

WHAT TO EXPECT AS AN EXPEDITION MEMBER? The Captain and crew of the ship have long to reach places that would have been inaccessible sites. On these expeditions we travel in areas experience in Scottish waters and they work hard for larger vessels. One of the secrets to a where we are totally dependent on the weather to make every expedition a unique experience. successful expedition cruise is the Zodiacs. With and wind conditions. Please keep in mind that the To change course and explore new areas in these safe and sturdy rubber boats we can cruise Captain and the Expedition Leader always strive to true expedition style is not unusual on board along impressive bird cliffs, explore exciting caves maximise your experience and as often as possible M/S Stockholm. With this small ship we are able and go ashore at scenic and interesting, historical we will make landings or take Zodiac cruises.

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

Experience the exciting outposts of the Hebrides! Followed by gannets, fulmars and puffins we explore the green island , the spectacular Fingal’s Cave on the small island of 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 ’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 , , druids and clans.

Day 1: of Scotland are buried here, including Duncan I, We arrive in Glasgow and spend a night at a who was murdered by Macbeth. Saint THE HEBRIDES comfortable and centrally located hotel. came here from in 563 AD and early Callanish Day 2 - 8: The Hebrides spread through Britain from this St Kilda After lunch we travel together to Oban and remote island community. Weather permitting Dunvegan board M/S Stockholm – our home for the next we make a stop at the spectacular island of Canna Rum seven nights. The following are examples of Staffa with the amazing Fingal’s Cave. The SCOTLAND Staffa exciting places we hope to visit: cave inspired Mendelsohn to compose “The Lunga Oban Iona, Staffa & Lunga Hebrides Overture”. We also hope to be able to Iona Iona has been a place of deep spiritual significance land on Lunga to walk amongst the surprisingly Glasgow for more than 1 000 years. No less than 62 Kings tame puffins. St Kilda The castle is the oldest continuously inhabited the morning. Transfer to Glasgow International We head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of castle in Scotland and was the ancestral home Airport or Glasgow Central station is included. St Kilda through the Sound of Harris, a remarkable of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years. uninhabited archipelago some 64 km from the In contrast to the surrounding landscape, Please note: nearest Scottish isles. For some this is a pilgrimage dominated by barren moorland and mountains, This is a preliminary itinerary. Our exact route in itself and a very moving experience. We drop the gardens here are like a hidden oasis. Here we will depend on the weather and wind conditions. anchor in Village Bay on the main island find an eclectic mix of plants, woodland glades, Please keep in mind that flexibility is the key to and wander through the remnants of the village. shimmering pools fed by waterfalls and streams a successful adventure! St Kilda once supported a population of 200, but flowing down to the sea. the last islanders were evacuated in the 1930s. Canna & Rum Recent restoration work on the village by the The small island of Canna has a tiny agricultural National Trust for Scotland offers an interesting and cattle rearing population. From a walk along DATES & PRICES link with the past. Later we cruise past the the top we may see golden eagles, white THE HEBRIDES WITH ST KILDA impressive island of Boreray, Stac an Amin and tailed eagles, puffins and peregrine falcons. Duration: 9 days. Dates: 14th - 22nd April & 21st - 29th April 2017. Stac Lee, where tens of thousands of gannets nest. The island is beautifully situated with stunning Group Size: Maximum 12 passengers. views of the area. The neighboring island, Rum, Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Stockholm, hotel. Expedition ship, Zodiac, bus. On the northwestern side of Lewis we visit is a nature reserve and an oasis for birdwatchers. Transport: Price: USD 6 090 per person. the Callanish Stones, a cross-shaped setting More than 150 species have been observed on RATE INCLUDES: of standing stones erected around 3000 BC. this small island. If possible, we pay a visit to 7 nights on board the M/S Stockholm . 1 night in a . . This is one of the most spectacular megalithic Kinloch Castle, an eclectic 19th century turreted hotel in Glasgow Transfer Glasgow - Oban return All meals on board . All beverages on board . 1 Expedition monuments in Scotland. castle built by the Bullough family, and walk the Leader and 1 guide . Guiding ashore and lectures on . . Dunvegan nature trail, a beautiful area of wild flowers. board All excursions and activities The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew . Comprehensive information Dunvegan Castle is magnificently located on a Day 9: Oban material before the expedition . An illustrated post- rocky outcrop on the shores of Loch Dunvegan. We return to Oban and disembark M/S Stockholm in expedition log NOT INCLUDED: Flights to/from Glasgow . Travel and cancellation insurance

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Main deck

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Cabin category Price per person in USD

Twin Cabin (bunk beds & private facilities) 6 090 THE ORKNEY & SHETLAND ISLANDS 28TH APRIL - 9TH MAY 2017

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 , Out or .

Day 1: Glasgow from a stone house called Taigh Beannaichte We arrive in Glasgow and spend a night at a (Blessed House). If the sea is calm we might also SHETLAND comfortable and centrally located hotel. get a chance to explore some of the caves along SCOTLAND Papa Stour Day 2: Oban the coast. Noss After lunch we travel together to Oban and board North Rona Fair Isle M/S Stockholm in the afternoon. After settled into East of lies North Rona. Even more Sula Sgeir ORKNEY our cabins we set course north – the expedition isolated and remote than St Kilda it is also very Handa has started! hard to find on a map. North Rona is said to have Summer Isles Day 3 - 9: Expedition cruising been the home of Saint Ronan in the 8th century.

We are now on an expedition and our exact A small Christian oratory that probably dates back Oban Glasgow itinerary will depend on weather and wind to the same period stands almost intact. Today, conditions. These are places we hope to visit: grey seals and sea birds are the only inhabitants Summer Isles & Handa on the island. this small island claims to be the best place to We sail towards the Summer Isles and go ashore Stromness & Kirkwall find rare birds in Britain with at least 27 first on the largest and the only inhabited island of In a private bus from the charming town of records and also hosts a famous bird observatory. the archipelago – Tanera Mòr. Those who walk Stromness we travel to the 5 000-year-old village Fair Isle is a also a traditional knitting technique up Meall Mòr, the highest point on the island, of Skara and see the remarkable dwellings used to create patterns with multiple colours. will be rewarded with a magnificent view. We also that were revealed from beneath the sand dunes Hermaness visit the little post office that has issued its own by storms only 160 years ago. This is the heart of The moorland and the dramatic cliffs of postage stamps since 1970. Later, we reach the Orkney, designated as a World Heritage Hermaness are home to gannets, cormorants, small island Handa. During the summer season Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. guillemots and puffins. Here, you also find a the island’s dramatic sandstone cliffs become Today it is ’s best preserved large colony of great skuas, known as the flying home to an estimated 100 000 breeding seabirds prehistoric village. We continue to the Ring of pirates. Even the giants are said to have settled such as puffins, razorbills and guillemots. Brodgar - a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating here. Unfortunately a giant called Herman, the Sula Sgeir back almost 5 000 years. Our day ends in Kirkwall, namesake of the island, is said to have been The uninhabited and remote Island of Sula Sgeir where we visit the beautiful St. Magnus Cathedral. lured away by a mermaid... is located in the midst of the sea and is known for Fair Isle Papa Stour its bustling birdlife. Here, you also find the ruins Located halfway between Orkney and Shetland, The island’s eroded, volcanic cliffs form an interesting coastline consisting of cliff ledges, Shetland Islands. By strolling around the streets, stone columns, arches, blowholes and caves. we can feel the history that still dwells here. The The most famous cave is Kirstan Hol and during town also houses a beautiful museum, where a calm day it is possible to sail through its we get acquainted with the islands fascinating labyrinths. On the island you also find several history and culture. We then head at sea, towards Neolithic graveyards and what is said to be the the Norwegian coast and beautiful . remnants of a 13th century house that belonged Day 11: Bergen to Duke Hakon. Today we explore in the hanseatic city of Bergen, Out Skerries surrounded by high mountains and deep fjords. If you look at a map it may be difficult to imagine Popular sights include Bryggen Museum, the that this small island is inhabited, but these four Bergenhus fortress and the fish markets. We also square kilometers of rock and pasture boast of take the cable car up to the highest of Bergen´s DATES & PRICES more than 70 residents. The dramatic landscape, seven mountains, Mount Ulriken, from where we THE ORKNEY & SHETLAND ISLANDS the birdlife and the interesting history make a get a spectacular view of the city. Duration: 12 days. Dates: 28th April - 9th May 2017. visit here unforgettable. Day 12: Disembarkation Group Size: Maximum 12 passengers. Noss In the morning we disembark and continue Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Stockholm, In the 1850s some 20 people lived on the home. If you have time, we suggest you take the hotel. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs, bus. Price: USD 6 890 per person. island, but today it does not have any permanent Bergen Line to and experience one of the RATE INCLUDES: inhabitants (not counting the that graze most beautiful train journeys in the world. 10 nights on board the M/S Stockholm . 1 night in a here). The scenic sandstone cliffs of Noss are hotel in Glasgow. Transfer Glasgow - Oban. All meals on board . All beverages on board . 1 Expedition home to an array of nesting seabirds and if Please note: Several of the islands mentioned Leader and 1 guide . Guiding ashore and talks on . . lucky we might see porpoise and otter in the above are extremely exposed to weather and board All excursions and activities The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew . Comprehensive surrounding waters. wind and the exact route is dependent on these information material before the expedition . An Day 10: Lerwick factors. Please keep in mind that flexibility is illustrated post-expedition log Lerwick is the capital and main port of the the key to a successful adventure! NOT INCLUDED: Flights to Glasgow and from Bergen . Travel and cancellation insurance

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Main deck

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Cabin category Price per person in USD

Twin Cabin (bunk beds & private facilities) 6 890 PHOTO: ADAM RHEBORG (FRONT COVER, BACK COVER, P. 3 UP- PER RIGHT, LOWER LEFT, LOWER MIDDLE & LOWER RIGHT, P. 5 UPPER NO. 2, 4 & 5 & LOWER RIGHT , P. 7 UPPER NO. 1 & MIDDLE RIGHT), DREAMSTIME.COM (P. 7 UPPER NO. 5 & LOWER RIGHT), EIRIK GRØNNINGSÆTER (P. 3 MIDDLE LEFT), JUAN CARLOS MUNOZ (P. 4), J-P LAHALL (P. 3 UPPER MIDDLE), KAT- HARINA MILLER (P. 2 & P. 3 UPPER LEFT), MARIE LANNBORN (P. 3 BACKGROUND), MATS FORSBERG (P. 3 MIDDLE MIDDLE), MATTIAS HENNINGSSON (P. 7 LOWER LEFT), JONAS SUNDQUIST P.O. Box 180 (P. 5 UPPER NO. 3), WWW.SHETLAND.ORG (P.7 UPPER NO. 2). TEXT: POLARQUEST. DESIGN:Min 12WWW.ALINDERDESIGN.SE. mm hög THIS BROCHURE IS PRINTED ON FSC®-CERTIFIED PAPER AT SE- 401 23 Göteborg, Sweden A FSC®-CERTIFIED PRINTING COMPANY. Phone: +46 31 333 17 30 e-mail: [email protected] www.polar-quest.com