May 8 - May 19, 2025
Scotland
The Hidden Coasts of Scotland: An Expedition on the Ocean Albatros
Program No. 24592RJ
Experience Scotland from Edinburgh to the Orkney Islands and Outer Hebrides as you join us for our Floating Campus onboard the Ocean Albatros!
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We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & PRICES
May 16 - May 27, 2025
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12 days
11 nights
28 meals
10B 8L 10D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Scrabster, Castle of Mey
At Sea
12
Edinburgh, Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
The northern coast of Scotland is known for its incredible natural beauty, remote islands and ancient landmarks — and there’s no better way to experience them all than on this exclusive Road Scholar Floating Campus voyage! We’ll have the brand-new Ocean Albatros to ourselves on this learning adventure that begins and ends in Edinburgh and leads you on a journey to Aberdeen, the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and Outer Hebrides. Marvel in the remote landscapes of Scotland as your onboard instructors offer their insight into the history and biodiversity of the region through lectures, Q&A sessions and casual discussions. In true campus style, take part in onboard activities like a book club or photography instruction, enjoy a live performance of Scottish dance and music and get to know other Road Scholars who love learning — and voyages — as much as you do.
Activity Level
Choose Your Pace
This program offers two activity levels to choose from on every departure date: one that has more walking and standing and one at a less active pace. Must be comfortable getting in & out of tender boats and zodiacs, feel comfortable navigating around the ship and handle stairs while on board.
PLEASE NOTE: The ship is not suitable for Wheelchair/Electric Scooter use.
What You'll Learn
- Spend a night in Edinburgh before and after your voyage to discover landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile with a local expert.
- Learn about royal history at the Castle of Mey in Caithness, purchased and restored by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
- Discover Scotland’s prehistoric landmarks during field trips to the Callanish Standing Stones and the Ring of Brogdar in the Orkney Isles, both sites thought to be constructed for astronomical observations.
- Voyage to some of Scotland’s remote islands as you explore the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Sumburgh Head in Shetland and enjoy zodiac rides along Loch Torridon.
- Enjoy the camaraderie of other Road Scholars as you take in private lectures, unique field trips and educational onboard activities on this exclusive Floating Campus voyage.
General Notes
This learning adventure is part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. You’ll enjoy a true campus feel as we have the entire ship to ourselves and welcome a maximum of 150 Road Scholars, and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups of 35. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions. Enjoy a book club, onboard activities, a live performance and the camaraderie that can only be found with an entire ship full of fellow Road Scholars! Please note that we need a minimum number of participants to enroll in this program to have exclusive use of the ship. In the unlikely event we do not meet the minimum number, then the cruise line may have its own passengers on the ship, though they will not be part of any Road Scholar activities.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Sandy Primrose
Sandy Primrose is a biologist by training, undertaking research in Australia before returning to the UK to lecture at the Universities of Edinburgh and Warwick. In 1981, he made a career change to a pharmaceutical company and later in diagnostic, food, and environmental companies. Twenty years later, he started working as a biotechnology consultant and advisor to various UK governmental organizations. Sandy has written a number of very popular science textbooks and has a passion for gardening — particularly his half-acre garden.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Sandy Primrose
View biography
Sandy Primrose is a biologist by training, undertaking research in Australia before returning to the UK to lecture at the Universities of Edinburgh and Warwick. In 1981, he made a career change to a pharmaceutical company and later in diagnostic, food, and environmental companies. Twenty years later, he started working as a biotechnology consultant and advisor to various UK governmental organizations. Sandy has written a number of very popular science textbooks and has a passion for gardening — particularly his half-acre garden.
Barbara McLean
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Barbara McLean lives in Edinburgh, Scotland; she is married with two grown sons. Her working life has been varied: high school teaching, literary editing, writing scripts, and performing at the Edinburgh International Storytelling Festival; and for the last decade a group leader all over Scotland. She has also worked as course director as well as Group Leader on land-based Road Scholar programs. Barbara has always found that participants are interested in learning about other cultures. Her hobbies include playing music and doing some composing, too.
Liz Broomfield
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Liz Broomfield is a British group leader with many years’ experience accompanying guests on trips all over the world. She has a continuing passion for travel and for sharing new places and people and experiencing local traditions with the guests in her charge. Liz is dedicated to providing the best educational travel experience possible. She resides on the beautiful south coast of England and her pastimes include, fitness, yoga, walking, and sea swimming. She has recently taken up drawing and T’ai chi.
David Crowe
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David Crowe worked in education for more than 40 years teaching history, physical education, and serving as vice principal of his school. He has a degree and PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) in history. Following retirement in 2014, he returned to the classroom to teach history in the International School of Monaco. David lives between the UK and the south of France, following his passion for adventure, skiing, climbing, sailing, kayaking, and cycling. David has led Road Scholar programs in Scotland and Scandinavia.
Stuart Findlay
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Stuart Findlay is an experienced Road Scholar group leader since 2017, after spending many years in education both nationally and internationally. He currently lives in a small town close to Bristol, England, but his accent is distinctly Scottish as he was born and raised in Edinburgh. To date, he has enjoyed leading many land-based as well as afloat programs.
Kate Vigurs
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Kate Vigurs is a historian and author of "Mission France: The True History of the Women of SOE," with her second book "Mission Europe" due for publication in 2025. She speaks widely on women's history and both World Wars at museums, history festivals, and clubs. Kate works as an expert on trips covering the Western Front battlefields, Berlin, and Krakow/Auschwitz. She also has her own historical theatre company, "History’s Maid," and regularly produces scripts, films, and live performances in castles, stately homes, and heritage sites.
Ann Carr
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Ann Carr, after careers as an officer in the Royal Air Force then as an air stewardess, joined a major UK travel company in an operational role handling incoming American groups. She later worked for a cruise line as head of enrichment. Experienced in all aspects of travel planning, she trained as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and has over 30 years of practical experience as an expert and groupleader. She is a food and wine expert, and has a passion for sport and theatre.
Suggested Reading List
(13 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Hidden Coasts of Scotland: An Expedition on the Ocean Albatros
Program Number: 24592
How the Scots Invented the Modern World
As historian and author Arthur Herman reveals, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Scotland made crucial contributions to science, philosophy, literature, education, medicine, commerce, and politics—contributions that have formed and nurtured the modern West ever since.
The Wasp Factory
The literary debut of Scottish author Iain Banks, The Wasp Factory is an imaginative and disturbing look into the mind of a child psychopath.
The Complete Poems and Songs of Robert Burns
Burns is an icon for the UK and Scotland he is a national symbol. This volume of poems and songs is a best selling, beautiful edition of his work.
Scotland: a New History
Michael Lynch, named as 'one of the most influential historians in Scotland of the last thirty years', has written an extraordinary one-volume history of the country that spans twenty centuries, from the Picts to the present day.
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886)
This gothic novella by Scottish author, Robert Louis Stevenson was originally published in 1886. The story is about a legal practitioner in London, named Gabriel John Utterson, who investigates bizarre incidents that occur between his old friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and the evil Edward Hyde.
Outlander
# 1 New York Times Bestseller, the first book in Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed Outlander saga. Based in the Scottish Highlands, this spellbinding novel of passion and history combines exhilarating adventure with a love story for the ages.
Robert the Bruce: King of Scots
Using contemporary accounts, Ronald McNair Scott tells the story of Scotland's legendary leader, and one of Europe's most remarkable medieval kings.
No Gods and Precious Few Heroes (Vol 8: Scotland, 1914-80)
Harvie analyzes the pressures and influences that, over the past ninety years, have eroded Scotland's position as a world industrial power.
Sunset Song
The first and most celebrated novel by Scottish writer Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Sunset Song evokes village life in the early twentieth century and offers a powerful portrait of a land and people in turmoil.
Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History
This book follows the movement of hunter-gatherers north, the growth of fishing, and the establishment of farming. The author also covers cultural evolution in Scotland - the roles played by megalith builders, Celts, Picts, and others.
Scotland: the Story of a Nation
Encompassing everything from the first Mesolithic settlers in 7000 B.C. to the present movements for independence, Scotland: The Story of a Nation is history on an epic level, essential reading for anyone interested in the rich past of this captivating land.
Waverley (1814)
Waverley (1814), tells the story of Edward Waverley, a naïve young man who is posted to Scotland with his regiment. Edward must decide whether he will follow the civilization he has always known, or be drawn into an older world of honor.
Trainspotting
Trainspotting is Scottish novelist Irvine Welsh’s 1993 work of fiction. Set in the late 1980s, the novel follows the “Skag Boys,” who are involved in Edinburgh, Scotland’s heroin scene, particularly in the neighborhood of Leith.
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