Heart of the Highlands (Lord of The Highlands)

Description

A 7 night leisurely voyage of the endlessly beautiful Caledonian Canal, hidden sea lochs and islands of Scotland’s western shore.

This seven night voyage on board the deluxe ‘Lord of the Highlands’ encompasses the main highlights of a voyage through the very heart of the Scottish Highlands introducing the interested traveller to the intricate and endlessly fascinating inland waters of the Caledonian Canal, the glistening waters of Loch Linnhe, the Sound of Mull, the Sound of Sleat and finally to Kyle Rhea with calls at Inverness, Fort Augustus, Laggan, Corpach (Fort William), Craignure (Isle of Mull), Iona, Tobermory, Isle of Eigg, Armadale on the Isle of Skye as well as nearby Loch Nevis for remote Inverie before ‘voyage end’ at Kyle of Lochalsh.

The arrangement will appeal to those seeking great natural beauty, excellent cuisine as well as sumptuous accommodations. The tariff provides for a full Scottish breakfast, luncheon, and a splendid dinner. At most ports of call there is something to interest and fascinate the weary traveller, but alternatively you are free simply to escape, perhaps read a book, and sip a glass of wine as the glories of the landscape slip by. The itinerary on alternative dates operates in the reverse sequential order (details available on request).

Trip Name

Heart of the Highlands (Lord of The Highlands)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 43 metres Passenger Capacity: 21 cabins - 40 passangers Built: 2019 The challenge as with her sister vessel ‘Lord of the Glens’ was to craft a vessel that could both transit the intricate waters of the Caledonian Canal as well as navigate the sheltered waters around Scotland’s hauntingly beautiful fretted west coast, the result being the splendid ‘Lord of the Highlands’. Its elegance calls to mind that of a luxury yacht. There are 21 outward facing state cabins spread over two decks each named with references to John Buchan’s “THIRTY-NINE STEPS”. Each cabin is finished in hardwood finishes, plush carpeting, dressing table, stool, wardrobe, satellite tv, and en suite facilities with shower, wc and washbasin. All state cabins are air conditioned and heated with an internal telephone and picture windows. The cuisine is excellent, freshly prepared onboard by a loyal and long serving brigade of chefs, drawing on the rich bounty of locally sourced produce. What could be more delightful than to awake to the prospect of a full scottish breakfast and for early risers to take advantage of the complimentary hot beverages that await in the lounge and for that matter for the rest of the day as well? Lord of the Highlands was constructed by Spanish craftsmen in Vigo for completion in July 2019 but will only enter passenger service in May 2020.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Embarkation

Arrive in Inverness and embark ‘MV Lord of the Highlands’. Evening Captain’s reception and dinner. Moor Inverness overnight.

Day 2 - Day 2 Culloden and Caledonian Canal

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.

Day 3 - Day 3 Laggan Avenue and Glenfinnan

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 take the West Highland railway line over the renowned viaduct to beautiful Glenfinnan, surrounded by mountains. Moor overnight at Corpach.

Day 4 - Day 4 Oban

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.

Day 5 - Day 5 Isle of Iona and Tobermory

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.

Day 6 - Day 6 Eigg and Inverie

Sail north from Tobermory to tiny Eigg this morning, catching glimpses of the islands of the Inner Hebrides along the way. At Eigg you can get a sense of what life is like for the roughly 90 people who live on this island community. Look for marine animals and birdlife, 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.

Day 7 - Day 7 Kyle

Early morning 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 and Plockton. Evening Farewell Reception and Dinner. Overnight in Kyle.

Day 8 - Day 8 Disembarkation

Disembark in Kyle of Lochalsh after breakfast and drive to Inverness.

Day 9 - Please Note:

Timings and schedule are subject to weather conditions and tide.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Visit Culloden, the infamous battlefield where “Bonnie” Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in 1746
Cruise past the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle
Glide along the tree-lined canal known as Laggan Avenue
Visit the Isle of Iona, the last resting place of some 50 Scottish Kings and where St. Columba introduced Christianity to Britain
Look for marine animals and birdlife, including Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds