 With financial support from the Coats family , Bruce had acquired a Norwegian whaler , Hekla , which he transformed into a fully equipped Antarctic research ship , renamed Scotia . He then appointed an all @-@ Scottish crew and scientific team . Scotia left Troon on 2 November 1902 , and headed south towards Antarctica , where Bruce intended to set up winter quarters in the Weddell Sea quadrant , " as near to the South Pole as is practicable " . On 22 February the ship reached 70 ° 25 ′ S , but could proceed no further because of heavy ice . She retreated to Laurie Island in the South Orkneys chain , and wintered there . A meteorological station , Omond House , was established as part of a full programme of scientific work . 
