Cruising the Highlands & Islands with proud Scotswoman and weather presenter Carol Kirkwood – 27th May 2024

Make your own way to Inverness, where a coach transfer will pick you up from either Inverness Airport or bus station in the afternoon. Embark Lord of the Glens.

This morning visit Culloden, the infamous battlefield where “Bonnie” Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in 1746, and then see the ancient standing stones of Clava Cairns. Set sail this afternoon on the Caledonian Canal, built between 1803 and 1822 to connect Loch Ness with the Great Glen’s three other lochs. Enter Loch Ness, cruise past the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle. Ascend an impressive flight of locks that runs through the heart of Fort Augustus. Moor this evening at Fort Augustus.

Sail through the tree-lined section known as Laggan Avenue and into Loch Lochy and on until we descend Neptune’s Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks, to the village of Corpach, nestled in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Great Britain’s highest mountain. In the afternoon we will travel by coach to beautiful Glenfinnan. Moor overnight at Corpach.

Today we enter the ocean, passing mysterious lochs and islands till we reach Oban, the seafood capital of the Highlands. Join us for a walk up to McCaig’s Tower dominating the skyline of the town with great views of the Western Isles. Overnight at Oban.

This morning we sail to Craignure for the excursion to the Isle of Iona, with a pause in front of Duart Castle for photographs. Visit Iona, the last resting place of some 50 Scottish Kings and where St. Columba introduced Christianity to Britain. Later sail to Tobermory, again on the Isle of Mull. Tobermory’s most striking feature is the gaily painted houses that line the waterfront originally built by the British Fisheries Company to house its workers for £20 each. Moor Mull overnight.

Sail north from Tobermory, catching glimpses of the islands of the Inner Hebrides. You will cruise past Eigg, Silver Sands beach and Mallaig; look out for marine animals and birdlife along the way including Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds. Then sail to the town of Inverie in Loch Nevis, where you can have a drink at the most remote pub in the British Isles.

Early this morning you’ll sail across the Sound of Sleat to Armadale and the Isle of Skye. Visit the Clan Donald Centre. Later sail to Kyle of Lochalsh from where we visit Eilean Donan Castle. Evening Farewell Reception and Dinner tonight and overnight in Kyle.

Disembark after breakfast for your transfer to Inverness.