Foreign Expeditions
ScotlandLights of the Shetland & Orkney Isles
Brough of Birsay Lighthouse - Orkney
Dates
July 15, 2007 through July 29, 2007
Itinerary
July 15, 2007
GLASGOW
Arrive in Glasgow and enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. This first night will be at a Glasgow Airport Hotel.
July 16, 2007
STIRLING - ABERDEEN
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Glasgow and travel to Stirling. Once there visit Stirling Castle, where we will have lunch. After lunch depart Stirling for Aberdeen. Upon arriving in Aberdeen, visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. Then head to the Ferry Terminal and check in to the Northlink Ferry, which we will take from Aberdeen to Lerwick. Dinner will be on the Ferry where we will spend the night in Private Cabins.
July 17, 2007
LERWICK
Breakfast will be on the Ferry. There's a great view of Bressay Light from Ferry (photo op). Once the ferry arrives at Lerwick, the main port of the Shetland Islands, depart and journey to view the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse. From there travel to Jarlshof and visit the Jarlshof Interpretive Site, a remarkable archaeological site. Then off to Hamnavoe, visit the town and walk to the Fugla Ness Lighthouse. We will have lunch in Hamnavoe. Departing Hamnavoe, head back to Lerwick to check into the hotel and have dinner.
July 18, 2007
LERWICK - KIRKWALL
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Lerwick and journey to Firths Voe lighthouse. Continue on to the Eshaness lighthouse, which is known for its spectacular views. After departing from Eshaness, travel back to Lerwick and some free time. Later that afternoon head back to the Northlink Ferry and voyage from Lerwick to Kirkwall. Dinner will be on the ferry and upon arrival in Kirkwall check into the hotel.
July 19, 2007
KIRKWALL
Breakfast at the hotel. This will be a free day to explore Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney with an optional lighthouse excursion. The optional lighthouse excursion (weather permitting) will consist of a boat trip to visit the lighthouse on the island of Copinsay. There will be an additional cost of approximately $85.00 per person to participate in this excursion. We will travel around the island and Mull Head. The 4 hour trip will consist of a 2 hour stop on the island of Copinsay. Since July is one of the best wildlife months in Orkney, we will likely see puffins, whales, dolphins, seals and much more. Dinner will be at the hotel where we will spend the night.
July 20, 2007
KIRKWALL - RONALDSAY
First thing in the morning catch a ferry for a trip to North Ronaldsay, breakfast will be on the ferry. Upon arrival, depart the ferry for a tour of New North Ronaldsay Lighthouse and view/take photos of the Old Lighthouse. Lunch will be at North Ronaldsay before returning to the ferry for the trip back to Kirkwall. That evening dinner will be at the hotel and spend the night in Kirkwall.
July 21, 2007
BROUGH OF BIRSAY - SKARA BRAE - RING OF BRODGAR
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Kirkwall and travel to the Brough of Birsay lighthouse. After that go to the Skara Brae Interpretive Site which is a 5,000 year old village that pre-dates the pyramids and Stonehenge. Lunch will be at the Skara Brae Interpretive Site. Then travel to the Ring of Brodgar, which is a stone circle generally thought to have been erected between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. Then head back to Kirkwall, have dinner and spend the night.
July 22, 2007
SANDAY
Breakfast at the hotel. Head to the ferry terminal for our journey to Sanday, which is the largest of the north isles of Orkney. The ferry will arrive in the town of Kettletoft where we will have lunch. After lunch travel to the Start Point Lighthouse for a tour. Then take the ferry back to Kirkwall where we will spend the night. Dinner will be on the ferry ride back.
July 23, 2007
HOY ISLAND
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to the ferry terminal in Houton and catch the ferry for Lyness, which is the main settlement on the east side of Hoy Island. From the ferry there is a great view of Cava Island Light. Once in Lyness, walk to the Scapa Flow Center, which is a museum housing records of the role the Royal Navy played in Orkney during both World Wars, and have lunch. Then head to the Cantick Head Lighthouse. From there travel to the Longhope Lifeboat Museum and then back to Lyness to catch the ferry back to Houton via Flotta Island. From the ferry view the Barrel of Butter Light. Upon arriving in Houton, travel back to Kirkwall for dinner and spend the night.
July 24, 2007
STROMNESS
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Stromness, Orkney's second main town, which lies on the south western tip of the mainland. Once there, head to the ferry terminal and board the ferry departing for Moaness for a round trip voyage. During the trip view the Hoy Low and Hoy High Lighthouses on Graemsay Island, both on the way to Moaness and on the way back to Stromness. Upon returning to Stromness the afternoon is free to explore the city. Later returning to Kirkwall for dinner at the hotel and spend the final night there.
July 25, 2007
THURSO
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to the ferry terminal in Stromness and get aboard the ferry to Scrabster, which is on mainland Scotland. Once in Scrabster head to the town of Thurso, for lunch. After lunch travel to Strathy Point Lighthouse and then off to Holborn Head lighthouse. Later return to Thurso and check into the hotel. This evening everyone is free to explore Thurso, mainland Scotland's most northerly town. We will spend one night here.
July 26, 2007
THURSO - WICK
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Thurso for the Dunnet Head Lighthouse which marks the the most northerly point on mainland Britain. From there, travel to Duncansby Head Lighthouse and then to the city of Wick, for lunch. Then off to the Noss Head Lighthouse and a visit to Girnigoe Castle. Later we will travel back to Wick, where we will check into the hotel. Dinner will be at the hotel where we will spend one night.
July 27, 2007
WICK - INVERNESS
Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is free to explore the town of Wick which has its origin as a Viking settlement and at one point in the 1800's was one of the busiest ports in Europe. After lunch depart Wick and head for Clythness Lighthouse. After spending some time there head to the city of Inverness and check into the hotel. Dinner will be at the hotel where we will spend one night.
July 28, 2007
OBAN - GLASGOW
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Inverness and travel to the city of Oban, the unofficial capital of the West Highlands, whose panoramic views of the mountains, lochs and islands have captivated artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries. There will be free time for seeing Oban, including lunch. Then travel to Glasgow and check into a Glasgow Airport Hotel. The Farewell Dinner will be at the Hotel where we will spend our last night.
July 29, 2007
GLASGOW
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart the hotel for Glasgow Airport and all flights home.
Double - $7,934
Single - $4,667
***Permission from the Northern Lighthouse Board is required for touring. We are attempting to obtain permission to access as many lighthouses as possible, many will be photo opportunities.
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