This eight-day cruise embraces the Hebridean islands of Lewis, Harris and Skye as well as tranquil loch-side villages. Casting off in Kyle, the stately Lord of the Glens will cruise northwards to the tiny harbour of Plockton. The three giants of Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe will then bid us welcome as we sail through Loch Torridon, known today for its salmon and mussels but once notorious for smuggling and illicit whisky distilling.

The waters around Gairloch, a popular holiday resort since Victorian times, thrive with porpoises, seals, dolphins and sea birds while Fisherfield Forest is one of Scotland’s last great wildernesses. From Gairloch we will cross the Minch Sea to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, the largest settlement in the Western Isles and a long-time seat of Sunday observance. Harris, separated from Lewis by a range of mountains, is a delightful mish-mash of sea lochs, coastal islands and secluded beaches.

We then head south to Skye, with an excursion to the imposing castle of Dunvegan, once the Hebridean stronghold of the Clan MacLeod. Bonnie Prince Charlie spent his last days in Scotland in nearby Portree – "King’s Port" in Gaelic – where we will catch a glimpse of the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the extravagantly shaped pinnacles of the Quiraing.

Lord of the Glens

The 150-foot long Lord of the Glens is the only cruise ship capable of navigating the inland waterways of Scotland’s Caledonian Canal. The Lord of the Glens boasts the sumptuousness of a classic yacht: all-round teak decks, rich mahogany finishes and 27 luxury cabins. Her lounge and bar offer magnificent views of the highlands and islands, whilst the elegant Robert Louis Stevenson dining room, lined with picture windows, serves first-class cuisine: a local bounty of fresh fish, poultry and meat. All cabins are outside-facing with en suite facilities, including satellite television and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating.

Nicholas Crane

This cruise will feature illuminating talks by Nicholas Crane, cartographer, explorer, writer and broadcaster. Nicholas has recently presented the television series Coast, which revealed the glories of the British coastline, and narrated the BBC documentary Great British Journeys, in which he followed in the footsteps of eight of Britain's greatest explorers. Nicholas is also the author of Two Degrees West, which traced his epic walk across England following the path of the meridian.

Highland & Island Wildlife

This cruise will be accompanied by wildlife expert Mark Northfield, who will introduce us to Scotland’s abundant bird and sea life, which includes seals, porpoises and even, on occasion, minke whales. The region’s flora will come under review at Inverewe Garden, created in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie on a formerly barren, peaty promontory on the banks of Loch Ewe. Though lying further north than Moscow, Inverewe is famed for its exotic range of sub-tropical plants.