SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND - Bonus free hotel stay!*

Pre-cruise Itinerary

Date	Activity
12 Jun 2026	Make your own way to Aberdeen hotel by 12 June, check in for one night stay
13 Jun 2026	Make your own way to port at Aberdeen, embark Exploris One ship

Cruise Itinerary

Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
13 Jun 2026	Aberdeen, Scotland	Embark
14 Jun 2026	Fair Isle Shetland Islands
15 Jun 2026	Papa Stour, Shetland Islands
15 Jun 2026	Foula, Scotland
16 Jun 2026	Orkney Islands, Scotland
17 Jun 2026	Stornoway, Isle of Lewis - Scotland
18 Jun 2026	St Kilda, Scotland
19 Jun 2026	Isle of Skye, Scotland
20 Jun 2026	Iona, Scotland
20 Jun 2026	Staffa Island, Scotland
21 Jun 2026	Islay, Scotland
22 Jun 2026	Tory Island, Ireland
23 Jun 2026	Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland	Disembark	Transfer to Glasgow
23 Jun 2026	Glasgow, Scotland

Post-cruise Itinerary

Date	Activity
23 Jun 2026	Disembark ship, holiday ends

Spirit of Scotland ex Aberdeen to Greenock

Day 1: Aberdeen, Scotland
Begin Your Adventure
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 forty-five 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.

Day 2: Fair Isle
Enjoy Birdwatching and Serene Island Culture
Journey to charming Fair Isle, once a Viking hub and now an idyllic island colony of artists and shepherds.

Keep your binoculars handy to spot some of the 350 bird species that the island boasts, including puffins and great skuas in substantial numbers.

Take a tour of the local museum, dedicated to preserving the island's heritage.

Day 3: Papa Stour and Foula
Take a Zodiac Cruise
Explore the rugged coastline and spot flourishing marine and bird life among Papa Stour’s cliffs, caves, sea stacks, and blowholes on a Zodiac cruise.

Call in at sweet and petite Foula, home to just a few dozen folks, many of whom preserve traditional methods of agriculture and subsistence.

Keep an eye out for the Arctic terns, red-throated divers, and great skuas that may be found here.

Day 4: Orkney
Visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site
Wander through the 4,000-year-old standing stone circle, the Ring of Brodgar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Step back 5,000 years to the Neolithic village of Skara Brae. Considered one of the most important Neolithic ruins in Europe today, wander the well-preserved stone houses and learn what daily life was like here.

Tour the Hall of Clestrain, childhood home of Arctic explorer John Rae.

In Kirkwall, let yourself be captivated by the city’s sights, dominated by the massive St. Magnus Cathedral dating back to 1137.

Experience its lively pubs, vibrant music scene, fabulous shopping opportunities, and thriving artisan community.

Day 5: Stornoway, Lewis
Witness Modern and Ancient Scottish Culture
Visit Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, a Gaelic stronghold and the capital of the largest of the Hebrides. Browse charming shops to purchase the island’s famous tweed.

Meander through one of Britain’s most important Stone Age sites, the Calanais Standing Stones, which are said to be giants who were punished by St. Kieran for refusing to convert to Christianity.

Experience the living history at Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, where you can learn about a typical crofting township of the last century. Explore the blackhouses and traditional activities, including the weaving of the famous Harris Tweed.

Discover Dun Carloway Broch, a uniquely Scottish site perched on a rocky mound. See this ancient structure, standing at an impressive nine metres tall.

Day 6: St. Kilda
Journey to St. Kilda UNESCO World Heritage Site
The archipelago known as St. Kilda was inhabited until 1930. Today, St. Kilda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protecting fascinating ruins as well as natural heritage features.

Seabirds thrive on the island of Hirta, which is also home to feral sheep left by the departing islanders. Enormous cliffs offer dramatic ocean views for our hikers!

Day 7: Isle of Skye
Enjoy Photography, Birdwatching, and Hiking
Whether you’re a hiker, photographer, or birder, you will love a visit to Skye.

Cruise the southwestern shore of this large island keeping a keen eye out for species like common sandpiper, oystercatcher, gannets, and razorbills. Delight in the opportunity to witness these remarkable creatures in their natural environment and add unique sightings to your birdwatching list.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Skye's mountainous landscapes and choose the level of activity that suits you best for a walk, hike, or trek among the awe-inspiring Cuillin Hills, one of Britain's finest mountain scapes.

Day 8: Iona and Staffa
Make a Pilgrimage to Iona Abbey and Fingal's Cave
Visit Iona, where St. Columba established his monastery—the burial place of kings.

Admire the beautifully restored Iona Abbey complex, which preserves two outstanding crosses dating as far back as the eighth century.

Take a Zodiac cruise at the Isle of Staffa, famed for basaltic formations and numerous caves, the best-known being Fingal’s Cave.

See for yourself why it is originally known in Gaelic as “the melodious cave” and provided the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s overture, The Hebrides.

Day 9: Islay
Tour the Loch Finlaggan Historic Site
Explore the renowned Loch Finlaggan Historic Site, tucked away in the enchanting Islay, also known as the Queen of the Hebrides. Immerse yourself in the rich history and heritage of the region. Indulge in the stories of Scottish nobility at the ancient seat of the Lord of the Isles and Clan Donald. Delve into its captivating past and marvel at the artefacts on display in the site's museum.

Day 10: Tory Island, Ireland
Get a Glimpse Into Small Island Life in Ireland
Toraigh (Tory Island) lies nearly fifteen kilometres off the northwest coast of County Donegal. The main spoken language on the island is Gaelic. Since the 1950s, the island has been home to a small community of artists, and has its own art gallery.

Day 11: Greenock/Glasgow, Scotland
Wave a Fond Farewell
Greenock has a rich maritime history and was a major shipbuilding and import centre. Here, we’ll disembark and depart via coach to Glasgow. 

Wake up aboard the Exploris One, where breathtaking ocean views from your cabin spark your inner poet. The suites even have balconies! This intimate ship, hosting 144 explorers, pairs comfort with bold exploration. Indulge in panoramic views, live music, hands-on workshops, and welcoming spaces perfect for relaxation. Weary at the end of the day? Jump in a jacuzzi or restore yourself in the sauna or steam room. You can even get a full-on massage from a professional masseuse!

Dining is a delight. Top chefs craft dishes blending local flavours with international favourites, served in cozy open-seating spaces—indoors or al fresco. As for drinks, there is specialty beverage service 24/7 (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at no extra charge!

Off-ship, Zodiacs whisk you to wildlife viewing spots and picturesque coastlines, ensuring every journey ashore is seamless and exhilarating. Whether unwinding on deck or exploring ashore, the Exploris One blends the thrill of adventure with the joy of relaxation, crafting indelible memories with every nautical mile.

Founded in 1987, Adventure Canada was created to bring travellers to Canada's "blank spaces", those areas whose remoteness alone made them special. Over the last fifteen years, along with our guests, we have discovered that there is so much that is extraordinary about the places we travel, from the landscape, wildlife and culture to the history, art and archeology that is unique to every destination. It is our belief that there is so much to see “beyond the binoculars” that drives us to delve deeper into our favourite places with every expedition and continually seek out new destinations.

We travel by small expedition ship, the best suited mode of transportation for remote exploration. The number of passengers on our voyages run between 45 and 100, depending on the ship we choose. We believe that these small vessels are superior, as they not only allow us to gain access to places not accessible by larger vessels, but our fleet of Zodiac landing craft permit us to visit some of the most remote places imaginable - the key to expeditionary travel.