Scotland
Hidden Coasts of Scotland: An Expedition Voyage
Program No. 24592RJ
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Participant Reviews
Based on 18 Reviews
SHOWING
A Plus Plus
— Review left June 6, 2025
This Road Scholar adventure was beautifully designed and executed. The ship was designed to meet every need, the food was terrific, the participants welcoming and engaging, and the staff excellent. We were glad that we were given the option to participate with a slower paced group. This was our 14th Road Scholar trip, and our increasing age meant that we chose the less active program. It was "just right"! Thank you, Road Scholar.
— Review left June 3, 2025
Ok, the weather was perfect, the ship is beautiful, coastal Scotland is stunning. Serendipity played a major part in making this trip a lifetime best.
My co-travelers proved an exceptionally interesting and interested group; fun to talk to and share experiences with. That being said, Road Scholar has a lot to answer for:
Our orange group guide Anne Carr trod the line perfectly between just enough support and too much. I am grateful for her skillfull yet unobtrusive guidance. I am saving her contact info for possible future trips.
Our local guides, an eclectic mix, I found informative and entertaining. They enriched our experience well.
Our ports of call were well chosen! Loved seeing Stornaway, thanks to the books of Peter May; thrilled to the actual location of the TV series Shetland. Overall every experience from city to remote windswept moor thrilled me. The architecture, the vistas, the animal life (oh those frolicking Lambs!) The ancient and more recent history. Couldnt wait to resume reading about Scotland upon return. Cant wait to return to Scotland sometime soon.
Really enjoyed our on board experts, Dr. Sandy Primrose and Dr. John Haywood. Concise and humorous lectures in addition to their availability for discussions: the access to expertise, theirs and the expedition crew, was a tremendous plus.
The expedition crew. Long may they explore and share! The varied experience and enthusiastic interaction is so impressive, as is their ease assuming various crew duties. I am sure others gave special shoutouts to Tommy and Ben, and the others whose names I failed to collect but remember with pleasure-I second all and any praise.
I loved rolling along on the ship, navigating rugged coastlines, watching the birds, dolphins. What a luxury to relax on board, well-fed, and savor constant stunning views on our way to our next port. I am looking for my next sea borne adventure already, and am grateful for Road Scholar’s Rugged Coasts Of Scotland.
— Review left June 1, 2025
The trip was a great joy and met my expectations.
Two thoughts from talking with my fellow explorers:
*Offer more excursions with two levels of activity. The choice of “On Your Feet” with “Keep the Pace”. Such choices will definitely have an influence for future bookings with Roads Scholar. As many of my fellows age, we often wish to reach beyond our increasing physical limitations. This would provide the opportunity to enjoy the program with dignity.
*Allow more time to examine and explore stops. There was barely enough time to explore, or at least read the displays at the various locations. To savor the experience at neolithic and early middle ages would have increased my understanding.
Thank you again for a valuable experience.
— Review left May 30, 2025
The ship and crew were outstanding and often provided extra visibility of bird nooks while cruising. The islands are gorgeous with characteristics that make them more Nordic than British. If you want a trip that covers both history and nature, I would recommend this one.
— Review left May 28, 2025
The Hidden Coast of Scotland trip was educational and entertaining. The instructors are knowledgeable and the tours were fascinating. Every employee is welcoming and the food was healthy and delicious. The Ocean Albatros has outside decks for bird viewing and inside seating for shoreline viewing or to have a hot drink and play a game. The cabins are comfortable and are cleaned a few times a day by staff. Waitstaff are friendly and start to remember your favorite drink or dietary need. Only a couple nights were wavy and we prepared by taking seasick medicine daily and used acupuncture wristbands when necessary. Most travel is at night. Buses were used for tours with local guides. Come experience Scotland in a new way!
— Review left May 26, 2025
This is a very new and interesting way to cruise! It has all the advantages of cruising plus it is educational.
— Review left May 22, 2025
This was an exceptional program! The combined expertise of the Road Scholar trip leaders and the Ocean Albatross leaders/team on board the ship made for a wonderful balance of exceptional learning, adventure, exploration, gorgeous scenery, and wonderful camaraderie. We highly recommend this trip!
— Review left May 21, 2025
Our floating Road Scholar trip around Scotland was the trip of a lifetime for me. It was everything I imagined it could be -- and more. I can't wait to try another Road Scholar trip.
— Review left June 13, 2024
Great introduction to Scotland -- you see a lot of the country in a reasonable period of time, including some of the more distant islands. I really got a feel for the country's cultural and geographic place in the world.
— Review left June 9, 2024
Perfect blend of curated activities and relaxing downtime. I fell in love with Scotland and need to return.
Group leader Barbara Gigi is warm, knowledgeable and energetic. Speakers were great. Albatros captain and crew — I’m looking at you, Guillaime and Carlos, just exceptional: kept us all safe, comfortable, informed.
For an extreme introvert, I’m proud to say I made a friend. Going solo was an adventure that turned out to be wonderful.
— Review left June 9, 2024
Such a unique and interesting itinerary! I was struck by the vibrant communities and history of these Scottish islands that I have thought of as remote. So glad to have experienced bits of what these areas have to offer.
— Review left June 3, 2024
The Road Scholar Program was great, it made me think, at times it was challenging and at other times it was peaceful nothing to worry about everything was taken care of. I was born in Scotland, I learnt a great deal about this part of Scotland that I had never seen.
— Review left June 1, 2024
We learned so much more about early civilizations than we ever dreamed! The blending of the Scandinavian people and the people of Scotland is just magnificent!i
— Review left May 30, 2024
Our Road Scholar program exceeded our expectations in every detail of our trip from beginning to conclusion. I can’t imagine a better way to travel for those interested in more than just shopping and selfies.
— Review left May 30, 2024
My first "floating campus" experience, and I will definitely do more.
— Review left May 25, 2024
Road Scholar Floating Campus Programs "The Hidden Coasts of Scotland" was a delight! What a way to enjoy the stark beauty of Scotland! It was our first visit. I'm sure we will be back!
— Review left May 24, 2024
Scotland's harsh beauty and depth of history really came through for me on this trip. The accommodations were absolutely superb -- brand new ship! -- and the entire staff extremely capable and engaging, both personally and in sharing their scientific and historic knowlege.
— Review left May 22, 2024










