Secrets of the Highlands and Islands – 13th May 2024

Arrive in Inverness and embark Lord of the Glens. This evening, we enjoy a welcome reception and dinner whilst remaining berthed in the city.

This morning visit Culloden, the infamous battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in 1746, and observe the ancient standing stones of Clava Cairns. We set sail this afternoon on the Caledonian Canal, built between 1803 and 1822 to connect the Great Glen’s four lochs. Entering Loch Ness, we pass the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle, before ascending the impressive flight of locks that runs through the heart of Fort Augustus, the scenic and historic village, where we remain overnight.

Continue along the canal through Loch Oich, ascending to 106 feet at Laggan Locks after gliding serenely along the tree-lined section known as Laggan Avenue. Onwards through picturesque Loch Lochy, to Banavie in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Descending the spectacular eight inter-connected locks of Neptune’s Staircase, Lord of the Glens is lowered to sea level at Corpach.

In the late afternoon, we take a scheduled train along part of the West Highland Railway and over the renowned viaduct to beautiful Glenfinnan; curving high over the waters of Loch Shiel, it found fame in the Harry Potter films for the Hogwarts Express.

Entering the serenely beautiful and sheltered waters of Loch Linnhe, we sail to Oban, the seafood capital of the highlands. Take a guided walk up to McCaig’s Tower; inspired by the Roman Colosseum, it affords spectacular views of the Hebrides. We berth in Oban overnight.

This morning, we sail to Craignure on Mull for a visit to the Isle of Iona, the last resting place of some 50 Scottish Kings and where St. Columba introduced Christianity to Scotland. Later, we sail to the island capital of Tobermory where brightly painted houses line the waterfront which was originally built by the British Fisheries Company to house its workers. We remain alongside overnight.

Sailing north to the Small Isle of Eigg this morning, we catch glimpses of the islands of the Inner Hebrides along the way. This community owned island is a nature reserve and allows us to go in search of marine animals and birdlife, including Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds. Our overnight berth is at Inverie on Loch Nevis, where you can enjoy a drink at the most remote pub on mainland Britain, The Old Forge Inn.

An early morning sail across the Sound of Sleat leads us to Armadale on the Isle of Skye where we trace the legacy of the Clan MacDonald at the Museum of The Isles. Our final port of call is Kyle of Lochalsh from where we visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, ahead of the farewell dinner.

Disembark in Kyle of Lochalsh after breakfast for the onward transfer to Inverness.