Scotland to Spitsbergen: Puffins, Sea Ice and Wildlife

Arrive any time on Day 1 and make your way to the group hotel, which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. The Scottish city of Aberdeen, your gateway for this adventure, is known as the Granite City, as it was once the granite capital of the world. You’ll understand as soon as you see the grey Victorian buildings—that sparkle in the sunlight. A bustling cultural hub, Aberdeen also offers a range of museums, galleries, theaters, shops, cafés and restaurants to explore.

Today you will have free time before being transferred to the port to board your ship. Upon boarding the ship, you will be welcomed by the expedition team and crew who will provide ship orientation and an introductory briefing of the voyage to come.

Situated just north of mainland Scotland, Orkney is an archipelago of islands steeped in history. Some of Europe’s most intact Neolithic ruins are found here, dating back 5,000 to 8,000 years. Chief among them is Skara Brae, a small community of ten stone homes, situated within earthen dams, that dates to 3180 BCE. Skara Brae is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, and is considered one of the most important Neolithic sites in all of Europe. Walking among these ancient homes and looking out toward the sea in the Bay of Skaill provides a sense of connection to humans who lived before the Egyptian pyramids were constructed. Papa Westray, a more remote island just north of Skara Brae—and more difficult to access—is also home to an ancient farmstead dating back to 3700 BCE. The surrounding farmlands are peaceful and quiet. The sounds of summer and migratory birds, combined with waves from the North Atlantic Ocean crashing against the shoreline below, seem to transcend time—offering a fleeting glimpse into what life may have looked and sounded like thousands of years ago. Home to more than 70 islands, 20 of Situated just north of mainland Scotland, Orkney is an archipelago of islands steeped in history. Some of Europe’s most intact Neolithic ruins are found which are inhabited, Orkney is a unique region with strong connections to the polar regions. Dr. John Rae, the famous Arctic explorer who helped map the Northwest Passage in the 1830s and 1840s, was Orcadian, and a monument to his achievements stands in the village of Stromness. Several Orcadian place names can be found in the Antarctic, including the South Orkney Islands and the Stromness whaling station in South Georgia. The region is a network of pastoral green islands framed by rugged coastlines and occasional white sandy beaches. These islands—with cliffs ideal for nesting seabirds—are perfectly situated for both seasonal bird colonies and migratory species en route to the Arctic. Birders will find Orkney an excellent place to spot species like Atlantic puffins, northern gannets, razorbills, kittiwakes, Arctic terns, Arctic skuas, and many others. Guests can explore off-ship—as conditions allow—by joining Zodiac, kayak, and paddling excursions, as well as guided and self-guided walks.

Further north, Shetland is another archipelago with a truly unique culture and feel. A fusion of Norse and Scottish history and culture—and a visceral connection to the wind, weather, and sea—Shetland feels like no other place in the UK. Here, we intend to explore the bird colonies of Sumburgh Head, 100-meter (328 feet) cliffs that descend into the rich marine environment below, framed by jagged rocky outcroppings that pierce through the sea. Common species spotted here include Atlantic puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. Additional marine wildlife in the vicinity includes white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and occasionally orca and humpback whales. The cliffs themselves are impressive in their rugged beauty, marked by a picturesque lighthouse that serves as an important beacon for mariners transiting the area. Not far from Sumburgh Head, and deeper into the West Voe of Sumburgh, is the world-famous Jarlshof—an archaeological site considered to be among Europe’s most important. Situated among soft green pastoral farmland, and just above a beautiful sandy Scottish beach, the area showcases thousands of years of human history, with Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Viking sites all immediately visible and within close proximity to one another. Roundhouses from the Iron Age, circa 400–800 BCE, are well-excavated, as are longhouses and stone walls from the Viking Age. Additionally, the Old House of Sumburgh—dating to the 15th century, when Shetland passed from Norse to Scottish control—stands among ruins that are thousands of years older. Jarlshof is a true tapestry of history, with many layers and eras woven together. There are plenty of opportunities to be active on this journey. We’ll take to the Zodiacs to explore the coastal shorelines for cruising as well as shore landings. If weather permits, we’ll deploy our sea kayak and paddle programs. And whenever you’re back on the ship, head to the outer decks—especially as we approach our excursion sites—for birds and marine mammals.

While at sea, be sure to spend time on the outer decks to watch for resident seabirds and migrating birds, or enjoy the views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. We will ride the relatively warm current north—the same current that helps keep the Norwegian coast and west coast of Svalbard relatively temperate. While onboard, your Expedition Team will share their knowledge and expertise through scheduled presentations on ornithology, biology, history, and geology, as well as through informal interactions throughout the voyage. Your at-sea days provide ample opportunity to enjoy the amenities onboard Ultramarine: the Tundra Spa & Sauna, the fitness centre, the library, or one of several lounges where you can enjoy a drink with fellow travelers.

Situated more than 400 kilometers north of mainland Norway, where the Greenland, Norwegian, and Barents sea converge, Bear Island is the gateway to Svalbard—and home to prolific bird populations. Visiting is a special privilege, as the island is rarely accessed due to its isolation. But it’s well worth the effort. More than 1.5 million birds flock to Bear Island each year. Hundreds of thousands nest on its near-vertical cliffs, where they can forage in the rich marine environment. If wind and waves allow, it’s possible we’ll offer a Zodiac cruise here along cliffs teeming with birds, with a constant procession coming and going from their nest sites. Little auks, Brünnich’s guillemots, common guillemots, kittiwakes, and northern fulmars are found in prolific numbers, alongside smaller colonies of Atlantic puffins. Many more migratory birds use the island as a critical stopover on their annual journey to the Arctic. On a map, Bear Island appears small. But by Zodiac, its cliff walls—some rising more than 400 meters (1,310 feet) from the sea—feel colossal. Shorelines are fully exposed to the open ocean, with waves crashing in an astounding display of nature’s power. A few sheltered coves— used by whalers, sealers, explorers, and researchers from the 16th to 21st centuries—may offer us a chance to explore this wild outpost at the gates of Svalbard. In early May, we may see hints of green emerging from an otherwise snowy landscape. Arctic foxes may be spotted on shore, eagerly awaiting the return of birds and their eggs. If conditions allow, we’ll make landfall, walking where few humans ever do. Remnants of whaling history from the early 17th century, along with more recent traces of meteorological and military activity, can be found here. Still, despite any human presence, the island retains a powerful sense of wilderness.

Our introduction to Svalbard begins in Storfjorden, a wide fjord in southern Svalbard that is often dense with sea ice in May. How far we travel will depend on current ice conditions. Sea ice is dynamic, capable of shifting dozens of kilometers in a day, and we’ll adapt accordingly to find the best opportunities to explore this keystone feature of the Arctic. We may spend considerable time here, navigating by ship and Zodiac along the ice edge in search of iconic wildlife such as polar bears and walrus, both drawn to the life-giving sea ice. Wildlife movements are unpredictable, so keep your binoculars close—you never know when something may appear. Your Expedition Team will share insights into the region’s features and history as we explore. If conditions allow, we may even step onto the sea ice itself. Whether on foot or by Zodiac, encountering Your Expedition Team will share insights into the region’s features and history as we explore. If conditions allow, we may even step onto the sea ice itself. Whether on foot or by Zodiac, encountering