Scotland Slowly
aboard
m/s ANDREA

"My dear, my native soil," wrote Robbie Burns, "for whom my warmest wish to Heaven is sent!" It's impossible not to love Scotland, with its wild, rustic landscape, the dry wit and the good cheer of its people, the blustery winds of far-off isles and the proud independence of its culture. Aye, there's whisky too. In May, the finest month o'th'year, when the stately foxgloves and woodbines bloom, join us on this leisurely cruise that embraces the finest of the Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetlands, and takes you to secret islands like Mingulay, Papa Stour, and Mousa that are virtually unknown to travelers. We'll sample the usce beatha, or "water of life" (foreigners call it "whisky") in world-famous Islay, hear the sea breezes blow in the natural pipe organ of Fingal's Cave, and give a nod to the Old Man of Hoy – all while cruising with wide-eyed serenity through seascapes and landscapes of  rugged beauty.

Scotland Slowly

Glasgow to Edinburgh
11 Days / 10 Nights

May 23 – June 2, 2009

Day 0. Depart USA under own arrangements.

Day 1. Glasgow, Scotland / Greenock. Arrive in Glasgow and transfer to the ship at Greenock, at the mouth of the River Clyde.
 
Day 2. Islay / Jura, Inner Hebrides. Visit Bowmore, home of the Bowmore Round Kirk and the Bowmore Whisky Distillery. Continue to Jura, the wildest island in the Inner Hebrides, its ragged west side dotted with caves, arches, pillars and beaches. Visit Craighurst (population: 160). It has all the necessities of life - hotel, pub, post office, church, shop, doctor and distillery! Jura fascinated George Orwell, who wrote the novel 1984 here.  
 
Day 3. Staffa, Iona and Lunga,Treshnish Isles. On Staffa, noted for its basalt cliffs, visit ‘Fingal’s Cave,' inspiration for Mendelssohn’s Hebridean Overture. Continue to the Holy Isle of Iona, where St. Columba established his monastery in 563AD. The Abbey preserves two outstanding 8th-century crosses and a splendid collection of sculptures. Cruising past Lunga, we will be treated to rock stacks and seabirds, and upon docking we will see some of the 60,000 puffins in the surrounding hills. 

Day 4. Mingulay & Barra, Outer Hebrides. Visit Mingulay, home to guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills. After exploring the island, continue to Barra, the ancestral island of Clan MacNeil. We'll visit the clan's stronghold, Kisimul Castle, which sits just offshore from the village of Castlebay.
 
Day 5. St. Kilda. This near-mystical isle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, supports an abundant population of seabirds, and the Soay - a unique feral sheep left by the islanders. A hike to the cliffs offers a stunning 900-foot vista.
 
Day 6. Stornoway and Callanish, Isle of Lewis. Lewis, the largest of the Hebrides, is the famous home of Harris tweed. We’ll visit Stornoway, the island’s capital, and the Callanish Standing Stones, a Neolithic stone circle at an especially beautiful site.
 
Day 7. Old Man of Hoy & Orkney Mainland. Cruise past the Old Man of Hoy, a distinctive stone formation, then explore Orkney. Visit the 4,000-year old Ring of Brodgar, one of Europe’s finest ancient Neolithic monuments, and also Maes Howe, a Neolithic chambered cairn from 2700 BC. Continue to Kirkwall, a fine country town dominated by the massive Magnus Cathedral, dating from 1137. 
 
Day 8. Papa Stour, Shetland Islands.At Papa Stour, discover a population of 20 and one of Britain’s most dramatic coastlines – sea stacks, twisting tidal channels and rugged cliffscapes – perfect for Zodiac touring.
In the afternoon, cruise to Foula, the most remote permanently inhabited island in the UK – just barely, with a population of 31.

Day 9. Mousa. Mousa is the site of the best preserved broch in the world, a fortified structure unique to Scotland. We’ll climb to the top of the 40ft high tower. 

Day 10. Fair Isle, Shetland Islands. Visit Fair Isle's National Trust Bird Observatory, with its great skuas and puffins. Visit a museum is devoted to the island's heritage.
 
Day 11. Edinburgh. Disembark m/s Andrea after breakfast in the port district of Leith.

Scotland Slowly
CRUISE INCLUSIONS

1. Cruise as described in the itinerary aboard the 104-passenger m/s ANDREA
2. All meals aboard ship including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
3. Welcome and farewell receptions aboard the ship, hosted by the Captain
4. Complimentary coffee, tea and pastries at all times aboard the ship  
5. Complete program of shore excursions
6. Team of resource specialists
7. Educational program
8. On-board nightly musical entertainment
9. Professional Elegant Cruises tour staff
10. Complete pre-departure materials including destination information
11. All port charges

NOT INCLUDED: International airfare; transfers to/from the ship; meals ashore; gratuities; fuel surcharge; luggage and trip cancellation insurance; personal expenses such as laundry; alcoholic beverages except as noted, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail services.

AIR TRANSPORTATION
Call us for International economy or business class airfare, as we will gladly assist you in making your air arrangements.

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
Reserve your cabin six months prior to the departure of your selected cruise and receive a
$ 300.00 per person early booking discount.

FUEL SURCHARGE
Our prices are based on fuel rates at the time of brochure printing, and although we will do everything we can to maintain our rates, it may be necessary to apply a surcharge.

Scotland Slowly
ANDREA CRUISE RATES

Cabin Description	Cruise only rates per person
Cat  4, Inside Cabin	$ 5,995
Cat 3, Outside Stateroom	$ 6,995
Cat 2, Deluxe Stateroom	$ 8,495
Cat 1, Master Stateroom	$ 9,795
Owner’s Suite	$ 10,695
Superior Single Cabin	$ 7,995
Standard Single Cabin	$ 6,395
Port charges	Included
All shore excursions are included in the above cruise rates. Single Supplement: 50% for categories 2, 3 & 4; 100% for category 1 & suites For assistance with your international air arrangements, please contact us at 1-800-683-6767.

Cabin Category Information
All cabins have lower beds (separated or connected, as indicated), private facilities with bath and/or shower, hairdryer, air conditioning, storage wardrobe, vanity with chair or stool, television, telephone, personal safe. Except for the five inside cabins, all staterooms feature either windows or portholes.