HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Is there a valley more savagely alluring than Glencoe, an island more elemental than Iona, a peninsula more remote than road-less Knoydart? From Loch Ness to Loch Oich, from Ben Nevis to the Sound of Mull, from the Isle of Skye to Iona, our study cruise aboard the regal Lord of the Glens will navigate a stunning natural landscape crowned with ancient monuments and stately castles.
Starting in Inverness, we sail the length of one of Britain’s most scenic waterways, Thomas Telford’s 200 year-old Caledonian Canal, as it slices through the Great Glen of the Scottish Highlands, connecting Lochs Ness, Oich and Lochy. Just north of Fort William, Neptune’s Staircase – a dramatic series of eight locks – will lower us to sea level as we continue our cruise through Loch Linnhe to Oban. A handful of Scotland’s most beautiful islands now awaits discovery – Mull, Iona and Skye – as well as one of Britain’s remotest communities, Inverie.
The enigmatic Bronze Age burial chambers and carved stones of Clava Cairns offer a matchless beauty, whilst the tiny island of Iona, venerated across Christendom, is a yet more atmospheric destination: it was here that St Columba founded his monastery in 563, and it is here that Scotland’s early kings lie buried.
Much of Scotland’s history is cloaked in turbulent, often brutal, intrigue. In 1692 Glencoe witnessed one of the bloodiest episodes in the region’s troubled past: the massacre of the Clan MacDonald by their long-time enemies, the Campbells. Some 50 years later Culloden Moor was the scene of the last major battle fought on British soil, when Bonnie Prince Charlie’s cold, hungry Highlanders were crushed by the Duke of Cumberland. That most majestic of mountain ranges, the dark Cuillins of Skye, later harboured the prince, disguised as “Betty Burke”.
Inverie is one of mainland Britain’s most far-flung outposts – accessible only after two days’ hiking or by boat – whilst Inverewe Garden, on the banks of Loch Ewe, is equally unique: though lying further north than Moscow, the garden is famed for its exotic, sub-tropical plants.
These cruises will be led by Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot, an archaeologist and historian with a particular interest in his native Scotland, where he is a member of the Society of Antiquaries and the Classical Association. Andrew will be accompanied by the naturalists Peter Exley (May departure), Kevin Hand (June & July) and Roland Randall (August).
Highland & Island Wildlife:An abundant bird and sea life graces these remote regions: along the Caledonian Canal we are likely to encounter ospreys, goosanders and black-throated divers, and whilst cruising around the islands we hope to spot seals, porpoises and even, on occasion, minke whales. On Mull, famed for its resident otters, we will see white-tailed eagles on a special visit with the local RSPB. On Iona we hope to hear the rare but elusive corncrake.
Isle of Rum:One of the highlights of the Isle of Rum, just south of Skye, is Kinloch Castle, the crenellated and turreted dream – some might say, folly – of George Bullough, a late 19th century industrialist. Although the castle’s menagerie of alligators and tropical turtles is long gone, Bullough’s fantasy remains the most intact Edwardian country house in Britain.
Lord of the GlensThe 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.
There are three categories of cabin:
Category A: Twin only £2900 per personCabins are located on the upper or middle deck and have a picture window.
Category B: Twin £2690 per person Single £3900Cabins are located on the middle deck and have a picture window. Though still spacious, category B cabins are smaller than category A.
Category C: Single only £2900Cabins are on the lower deck and have (high level) port-hole windows.
Itinerary
Day 1Transfer by coach 1500 from Inverness railway station to Muirtown Locks and embark Lord of the Glens. Reception and introductory talk: Neolithic Scotland. Moor overnight at Inverness.
Day 2Excursion to 14th century Cawdor Castle, Culloden Moor (Bonnie Prince Charlie battlefield), Clava Cairns (Bronze Age burial chambers), Inverness. Afternoon: sail along Caledonian Canal into Loch Dochfour and Loch Ness with visit to Urquhart Castle (superb views). Evening lecture: Jacobites. Moor overnight at Fort Augustus at southern tip of Loch Ness.
Day 3Morning: historic Fort Augustus (Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre). Afternoon: sail through beautiful Loch Oich and tree-lined Laggan Avenue to Laggan (country walk, Kytra Locks). Moor overnight near Laggan Locks.
Day 4Sail into Loch Lochy as far as Gairlochy with walk along canal towpath. Afternoon: re-embark at Banavie (in shadow of Ben Nevis) followed by excursion to beautiful Glencoe (site of MacDonald massacre). Evening lecture: Scotland’s Unique Wildlife. Moor overnight at Banavie.
Day 5Sail through Neptune’s Staircase (series of inter-connected locks) to Corpach (local geology and mineralogy museum) and through Loch Linnhe. Afternoon in Oban: local whisky distillery, McCaig’s Tower (Colosseum-like folly). Moor overnight at Oban.
Day 6Sail across Loch Linnhe to Craignure on Isle of Mull (famous for otters and sea-eagles) for 13th century Duart Castle (ancestral home of Clan Maclean) and Torosay Castle (Victorian mansion and ornamental gardens). Evening lecture: Celtic Christianity. Moor overnight at Craignure.
Day 7Whole-day excursion by coach and ferry to Iona: 12th century abbey, burial ground of early Scottish kings, cloisters, site of St Columba’s writing cell, mediaeval carved stones and crosses (rare corncrakes, eagles) then cruise up Sound of Mull to Tobermory (fishing port with brightly painted houses). Evening lecture: Island Wildlife. Moor overnight at Tobermory.
Day 8RSPB white-tailed eagle viewing site then cruise to Hebridean Isle of Rum (Atlantic seals, minke whales, common and bottlenose dolphins, porpoises, seabirds) for visit to Kinloch Castle. Moor overnight at Rum.
Day 9Sail into Sound of Sleat and on to Skye for Armadale (castle ruins, Clan Donald Centre set in 40 acres of picturesque woodland) then sail to Inverie (including Old Forge, Britain’s remotest pub). Evening lecture: Highland Clearances. Moor overnight at Inverie.
Day 10Morning: Inverie then sail into Sound of Sleat to villages of Kylerhea and Kyle of Lochalsh. Afternoon: scenic drive to Inverewe Garden (famed for its exotic plants). Evening: captain’s farewell reception and dinner. Moor overnight at Kyle of Lochalsh.
Day 11Disembark and transfer to Inverness railway station, arriving approximately 1100.
Cost includes: Cost from £2690 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin, full board (including tea & coffee, welcome & farewell receptions), all shore excursions & admissions, crew gratuities.
Not included: Not included: travel insurance.
