Iain MacLeod

Iain MacLeod is Executive Director of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire. Iain has led trips and birding workshops and classes for twenty five years both in the United States and in his native Scotland. His very personal Scotland itineraries reflect his passion for imparting knowledge about wildlife, sharing his culture history and ensuring the highest quality of travel experience. Iain has also led several trips to New Mexico, Cape May and dozens of New England-based destinations. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join Iain MacLeod for a spectacular trip to Scotland ’s most northern lands – the remote islands of Orkney and Shetland. This 10-day trip explores the wildlife and history of these beautiful islands. Highlights will include spectacular seabird colonies – including more Puffins that you can shake a stick at, Otters, Grey Seals, a night-time excursion to the island of Mousa to watch Storm Petrels in the Iron Age broch, and a visit to Skara Brae, Europe ’s most complete Neolithic village.

 

                                                  

Day 1 - Meet in Aberdeen, Scotland. Depart on overnight NorthLink ferry from Aberdeen at 5:00 p.m.

Day 2 - From the ferry we can look for seabirds in the early morning. We should see Black-legged Kittiwake, Great Skua, Razorbills, and Atlantic Puffins. Arrive Lerwick, Shetland at 7:30 a.m. Van will meet us at ferry terminal. We’ll explore the mainland of Shetland for the morning, then check in to out hotel as soon as we can in the afternoon. After a relaxing afternoon and dinner, we can explore the local area well into the evening twilight, known locally as the “simmer dim.” Hotel: Busta House 

                                        

Day 3 - Today we will explore the rich arctic-like landscape of mainland Shetland. The terrain is a barren mix of moorland, often studded with peaty lochs which glitter a brilliant blue when the sun shines, and the occasional patch of green farmland, dotted with hardy, multicolored sheep and diminutive ponies. We will visit Sumburgh Head, Loch of Spiggie and other birding hotspots. Highlights will include Red-throated Divers (loons), Great and Arctic Skuas, Arctic Terns and a variety of shorebirds. Hotel: Busta House

Day 4 -Today, weather permitting, we will explore some of the islands in the northern part of the island chain including the famous island of Fetlar. This island holds 90% of Britain’s population of breeding Red-necked Phalaropes. We will also see many Whimbrel and Red-throated Divers. All of the Shetland islands are prime habitat for Otters and in the evening we will explore the many coastal inlets and brackish lochs in search of these beautiful animals.

Hotel: Busta House

Day 5 - Today we will explore the island of Mousa with its famous 2,000 year old Iron Age broch (tower), the best preserved broch in the world. Mousa is also home to 6,000 pairs of Storm Petrels and 400 breeding harbour seals. We will also look for Black Guillemots, Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers. The ferry ride can also bring sightings of Porpoise and Minke Whale. Hotel: Busta House

Day 6 - This is our last day on Shetland. We will explore the beaches, headlands and moors of the mainland.Depart from Lerwick on ferry at 5:30 p.m. arrive Kirkwall, Orkney at 11:00 p.m.Hotel: Woodwick House

      

Day 7 - Welcome to Orkney. Today we will explore the Mainland including the Birsay Moor. Here we will look for Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier and Arctic Skuas. Orkney is famous for its fascinating ancient dwellings and standing stones. We will explore some of these artifacts and learn about the rich cultural heritage of early Scotland. Highlights will include the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. Hotel: Woodwick House.

Day 8 - Today, weather permitting, we will explore the island of Hoy. Orkney’s second largest island, rises sharply out of the sea to the south-west of the mainland. The least typical of the islands, but certainly the most dramatic, its north and west sides are made up of great glacial valleys and mountainous moorland rising to over 1,500 feet, dropping into the sea off the red sandstone cliffs of St. John’s Head and, to the south, forming the landmark sea stack known as the Old Man of Hoy. Hotel: Woodwick House 

Day 9 - This is our last day on Orkney and we will spend it exploring more birding and historical sites on the mainland. At 11:00 p.m. we board the overnight ferry from Kirkwall to Aberdeen.

Day 10 - Arrive Aberdeen at 7:00 a.m.

 

                           

The price of this 10-day trip is $3500 based on double occupancy and a minimum of 6 people. The single supplement is $300. We will match you with a roommate of the same gender if you choose, but if this is not possible you will be charged the single supplement fee. The tour fee includes all accommodations, meals, guides, entrance fees, tips, and transfer fees. It also includes trip insurance covering emergency medical services and emergency medical evacuation.

The following are not included: airfare to the starting place of the trip, alcoholic beverages, tips for the birding guides, immigration fees, and costs resulting from illness, injury, or emergency evacuation, program changes and delays beyond our control.

To register for this tour, contact Debra Tranberg at info@naturetreks.net or call(781) 789-8127 for a registration packet. A deposit of $400 per person is required to reserve a spot on the trip. Full payment of the tour fee is due ninety days prior to the tour departure. Please send your checks to Nature Treks and Passages, P.O. Box 542, Bryantville, MA 02357. If you have any questions, please contact Debra Tranberg at(781) 789-8127 or info@naturetreks.net.

 

 

  
 

Come back soon for our upcoming schedule.