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Scotland's Highlands, Isle of Skye and Orkney Islands

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Scotland's Highlands, Isle of Skye and Orkney Islands Pennsbury Land Trust trip to SCOTLAND’S HIGHLANDS, ISLE OF SKYE AND ORKNEY ISLANDS May 23 - June 6, 2008 Registration deadline: February 15, 2008 Follow the routes of seabirds and stone-age man, red stags and Vikings through the extraordinarily beautiful northernmost points in Britain, in the height of the spring. Northern Scotland and its surrounding islands are rich in natural history, archeology, and Celtic and Norse Culture. Join us for an in-depth look at how the interplay of ancient land forms, natural and human history, and many human cultures combine to form the Scottish landscape you see today. Our small group will explore remote glacially sculptured glens, mountain lochs and burns, delicate moorlands, private Highland gardens, castles, cairns, Neolithic villages, golden eagle aeries, otter runs and puffin colonies. The Orkney Islands are world famous for their sea birds, archaeology, and history and contain the greatest concentration of archeological monuments in Europe. Walks are at a leisurely pace; days on your own to pursue personal interests are an option. Leadership is provided by Karen Travers, international trip leader, biologist, and Land Trust president (her 8th trip to Scotland) and Scottish naturalists. At Aigas Field Centre near Beauly, enjoy Highland hospitality at the home of Sir John and Lady Lister-Kaye. This Victorian-Gothic castle and its surrounding lodges combine modern comfort with traditional atmosphere. The excellent meals featuring Highland specialties are served baronial style in the Great Hall. Well-equipped hotels in West Highlands and Orkney are conveniently close to interesting island sites. Accommodations are double-occupancy with private baths. Single occupancy available at an additional fee. For more information or to register call 610-388-7995 or email [email protected] - 2 A Natural History Expedition to Aigas Field Centre, The Island of Skye and The Orkney Isles ITINERARY B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner Day 1 - Friday May 23 DEPARTURE Leave Philadelphia in evening on US Airlines for our flight to Glasgow with dinner in flight. D Day 2 - Saturday May 24 - ARRIVAL AT AIGAS FIELD CENTRE A bus will meet us at Glasgow Airport and drive us to the House of Aigas in time for afternoon tea and initial welcome. Settle in before dinner in the baronial hall of House of Aigas. After dinner, learn about domestic arrangements and how the Field Centre operates. Evenings at Aigas include lectures by guest experts, relaxing in the gracious sitting room by the fire, browsing in the well-stocked library and map room, and strolling along woodland trails, loch, gardens and heather moors in the gloaming. B, D Overnight at Aigas Day 3 - Sunday May 25 - AIGAS FIELD CENTRE After breakfast, attend a meeting to run through the programs and for you to ask questions. Sir John Lister-Kaye will welcome the group and deliver an informal talk about the history of land use in the Scottish Highlands. This lecture will set the scene for the rest of the programme. Before lunch enjoy a tour of the House of Aigas, art collection, and Lady Lucy’s gardens. Share a buffet lunch before joining a guided walk led by the rangers around the Aigas nature trail. The path winds through a variety of habitats including broadleaved woodland, loch, wild moorland and natural pinewoods. This is an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with the surroundings and the flora and fauna of the local area—habitat for red and Roe Deer, Otter, Pine Martin, Tawny Owls, Scottish Crossbill, Crested Tit, and a diverse number of heaths, ferns and wild orchids. Stop off at the Capercaillie enclosure where we can discuss the plight of the world’s largest grouse, currently experiencing a steep decline in the UK. Gather in the parlor for drinks before dinner.. B, L, D Overnight at Aigas Day 4 – Monday May 26 – GLEN AFFRIC Following breakfast we drive approximately 45 minutes west to the mountains, lochs, and forests of Glen Affric. This magnificent remnant of the ancient “Wood of Caledonia”, was bought by the Forestry Commission in 1951 with conservation work carried out within the woodland over the following decades. One of the most beautiful glens in the Highlands, Glen Affric is managed as a nature reserve. The mature Scots Pines have a charm and character of their own and support a unique range of wildlife, wildflowers, and trees. Take a leisurely 4 mile walk with Aigas rangers through Glen Affric watching for native Rowan, Blaeberry, Crowberry, Willow Aspen, Crested Tits, Scottish Crossbills, Red Squirrels, Pine Martins, Red and Roe Deer, and Golden Eagles. Return to Aigas in time for afternoon tea. This evening there will be a lecture on Wester Ross and Skye. - 3 B, L, D Overnight at Aigas Day 5 – Tuesday May 27 - WESTER ROSS AND SKYE Today we pass through some of the most dramatic, wild, and awe-inspiring scenery Scotland has to offer. The journey West takes us from the hard, infertile rocks of the Mine series in the East to the ancient Gneisses and Sandstones of the West. See Scotland’s most photographed glen, Glen Docherty and the mystical Loch Maree. Folklore as well as wildlife abounds in this area. It is one of the secret release sites of the rare White-tailed Eagle. Stop at Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve (NNR), a haven for Black and Red –throated divers, Golden Eagles, Sea Eagles. We lunch at the picturesque seaside village of Shieldaig before continuing westward to Kyle of Lochaish near Skye where we spend the evening. B, L, D Overnight at a Kyle of Lochaish inn Day 6 – Wednesday May 28 - ISLE OF SKYE: Trotternish & Portree The landscape of Skye is dominated by the results of intensive volcanic activity and has been moulded by ice, wind, and sea. Over the next two days we shall explore the great mountain range of the Cuillin with its sharp arête ridges and deep corries, the deep western sea lochs which were once rivers of ice, the incredible volcanic landforms of northern Skye and the most sheltered straths and glens in the south of the island, These features all combine to create an island of unique character, rich in flora, fauna and turbulent history. Investigate the Macleod territory of the Trotternich peninsula, famous for its dramatic landscape. Pass the Old Man of Storr, the Kilt Rock, and the thriving crafting community of Staffin. After a walk onto the ridge overlooking Staffin and the WesterRoss mountains on the mainland, return to Staffin Bay for lunch. Walk to the ruins of Duntulm Castle before heading to the excellent Museum of Crofting Life. Here a series of traditional black houses and white houses depicts past lifestyles of the Highlands. Nearby is Kilmiur Churchyard with the memorial to Flora Macdonald who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the Battle of Culloden. Stop at the award-winning Aros Visitor Centre before driving to Portree for the night. B, L, D Overnight at a Skye inn Day 7 – Thursday May 29 - SOUTH SKYE AND THE KYLE LINE We head south to explore the Sleat Peninsula, an area known as the Garden of Skye. It’s rich lime soil leads to the most diverse habitats on the island. Here we find the Clan Donald Centre detailing the history of Clan Donald, the lordship of the Isles and the clan system in the Highlands, all set in the wonderfully restored grounds of Armadale Castle. Follow the old cattle drovers’ road to the Gleneig ferry where common and gray seals are often seen. Visit the Iron Age broch of Dun Telve, Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail towering over the mountain ridge. After passing Eilean Donan Castle, board the train for one of the most scenic rail journeys in Britain back to Beauly and Aigas in time for dinner. B, L, D Overnight at Aigas Field Centre Day 8 – Friday May 30 - HIGHLAND HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY - 4 Today we shall travel east for 45 minutes to visit the historical site of Culloden Battlefield—the site of the last battle fought on British soil—a desperate fight in 1746 which changed the history of the Highlands forever, breaking down the clan system and paving the way for the Highland Clearances a century later. Next visit the Clava Cairns are three well-preserved Neolithic cairns, thought to be burial chambers of ritual significance connected with the Winter Solstice and death, with evidence of both inhumations and cremations. There are two chambered tombs with cup marked stones and one ring cairn, unique to the Moray Firth area, connected with the magic/religious cults of our ancestors. The third site today is Cawdor Castle and gardens near Nairn has been the family home of the Thanes of Cawdor since the 14th century. The existing castle contains a fine example of a 16th century tower house with elegant 18th century additions. The nature trails (optional for those not wishing to see the castle) varying from 1 to 5 miles will take you into a fine, mixed oak and pine woods. Watch for Red squirrels and Scottish Crossbills. B, L, D Overnight at Aigas Day 9 – Saturday May 31 - THE BLACK ISLE The Black Isle is an area rich in natural history and folklore, and we shall spend the day exploring this fertile area. Begin with a scenic drive along the north shore of the Beauly Firth to watch for a variety of species of wading birds, Bottle-nosed Dolphins and there is always the chance of seeing an Osprey or Red Kite. Wander through the impressive ruins of the 13th century cathedral at Fortrose. We shall lunch at Chanonry Point—a second chance for dolphin watching—before driving to the Georgian village of Cromarty.
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